Ableton has announced version 5 of their very cool Live software. Among the claimed “countless” improvements and features in the new version:
DAW Features
- Clip Freeze frees up CPU power
- Plug-in delay compensation
- Launchable Arrangement Locators – each locator can be named and assigned to a computer key or MIDI message
- Mackie Control support
Remix Features
- MP3 support
- Automatic tempo-matching
- Complex Warp Mode – frequency-domain warping for complex musical material
- Clip transport for faster navigation within clip view
Organizational Tools
- “Live Clip” file format for easy retrieval and reuse in another project
- Better browsing with a search field
- New preset management for instruments and effects
- Device Groups for multi-effect creations
- New 2-part library of sound ideas
Instruments and Effects
- Beat Repeat – for subtle-to-extreme reorganization of beats and vocals
- Phaser and Flange – both modeled after classic ’70s guitar effects
- Auto Pan – LFO-driven panning
- Saturator – dirt, punch, and warmth
- Arpeggiator – beyond classic applications, chop chords, strum notes, morph velocities, and create scale-corrected pitch progressions
- Simpler Updated – now with independent envelopes for filter, pitch and amplitude, a glide control, and an improved LFO
Live 5 is slated for release in July of 2005.
