30Mar/110

Ableton Live 8.2.2 MaxForLive improvements + optimizations and bugfixes

Ableton Live was recently updated to version 8.2.2. The update is a huge step forward for  the "Max for Live" API, which gets added support for Rack-Devices (Devices inside Racks can now be accessed via the Max for Live API) and Return Tracks (Return tracks can now be observed via the Max for Live API). This is a recommended update for every Ableton user, especially when using max4live. The latest max/msp (Max 5.1.8) requires Ableton Live 8.2.2 to work.

The release notes according to Ableton:

30Dec/090

Ableton Live 8.1.1 Bugfix Release

Ableton Live 8.1.1 was released to the public, with a lot of bugfixes, stabilizing the quite unstable 8.1 release that was introduced maybe too fast because of max for live. Live Lite and Live Intro are not yet supported with Live 8.1.1
Note: "If you own Suite and have already installed Suite 8.1, then you can download the Live 8.1.1 installer which has a smaller download size." See a list of all the Changes in the details of this entry.

23Nov/094

Max/Msp for Live with Ableton Live 8.1 Final REVIEW (max for live)

This is a review of „max for live“ using Ableton Live 8.1 FINAL and max/msp 5.1 on a Mac OSX 10.5.8 Core2Duo Intel MacBook Pro. As I am a frequent user of all kinds of visual DSP systems for quite a while now: pure data (PD), max/msp, vvvv, nord modular OS, etc. - so I am quite dazzled what max for live has to offer. (Read the full Entry to see the Review)

maxforlive_toolbox.png

Instruments, Audio Effects, Midi Effects - but of course, this is not all of the cake. Imagine you can create user-interface elements however you please and also assign MIDI to that interface parts. This brings Ableton Live huge steps forward: the possibility to extend ableton to include a full featured audiovisual prototyping environment and to interface with the world: be it sensors, webservices or other Ableton Live installations.

18Nov/092

Free TC Electronic M30 Reverb Plugin Download

m30_reverbtc electronic is giving away their M30 Reverb Plugin for free (compatible with Windows XP SP2, Mac OSX 10.5 Leopard)

"The M30 Studio Reverb is a simple to use, great sounding reverb that is powered by AlgoFlex™ - a new high definition TC technology that enables hardware quality and predictability to be ported to native software.
TC Electronic has been at the forefront of effects development for decades, and our reverb algorithms can be found in the best recording and mixing environments in the world. With its great sound M30 is a unique addition to VST- or AU compatible applications running with Mac or PC.[...]
To get your free reverb simply submit your name, email and country [...]"

They claim you can unsubscribe from their newsletter, so quite a bargain. I just downloaded the plugin; as i really like the quality of the TC plugins, I can recommend this one. (see also a Video Review on Youtube for the tc m30)

9Nov/092

Beta: Ableton Live 8.1 with Max/Msp for Live

How cool is that? registered users of Ableton Live and Max/Msp can sign up for the beta program of Max for Live (it's actually only a click, much different from Google Wave ;)
The only problem is: you need to own Ableton Live and Cycling74's Max/Msp 5 (which i actually do).
For now you can watch the Video from the Ableton Site, until i can post some hands-on-pictures and a full review (to be available in the next days).


6Nov/090

Ableton Live 8.0.9 Update (minor)

Ableton Live was updated to version 8.0.9. Read the Changes from Live 8.0.8 to Live 8.0.9 below or find the previous ChangeLogs in the Ableton Forums. This is a minor Bugfix release, that deals with the Axiom Pro and the Oxygen 3rd generation controllers; small Bugs regarding the Sampler and Volume automation were also squashed, but not much more.

5Nov/090

Able10 – 10 years of Ableton: Giveaways and a final release date for Max for Live

"2009 marks Ableton's 10th anniversary, so let's raise a glass: thank you to all of you who've joined the journey so far and here's to ten more years of ideas, innovation, hard work and staggering, beautiful music. We're celebrating with a host of special offers, new products and giveaways. We've got something for everyone, so join the party at: http://www.ableton.com/nl452-able10"

Most of all, 20% off Live 8 and Upgrades, some users even get free Upgrades, and 10 Free Downloadable Live Packs from Various Artists. Sadly for Ableton Suite owners there is no special discount or goodie - but for people owning Live 8 or 7 - or even the Lite versions - now it's a good time to Upgrade! The release for Max for Live was set on the 23rd November 2009 and a new stripped-down Ableton for starters is ready: Live Intro.

23Oct/090

Ableton Live 8.0.8 Update

Ableton Live was updated to version 8.0.8. Read the Changes from Live 8.0.5 to Live 8.0.8 below or find the previous ChangeLogs in the Ableton Forums. While the update mainly adds the support for the new Novation Launchpad Controller and improves support for the AxiomPro Controllers, some important bugfixes have been implemented. Live should work on Snow Leopard now (crashed or froze when running another Audio app before, e.g. iTunes). Other Bugfixes are adressing the Arranger and some small bugs regarding Loop points. An update is recommended for all Ableton Live users.

2Oct/090

New Ableton Live Contoller: Novation Launchpad

launchpad-ableton-main-gimage-copy

A Monome for the rest of us. The new Ableton Live Controller by Novation looks quite like the monome. Still, if it integrates in Ableton as well as the Akai APC 40, it can be a quite handy - and cheap: 150€ (199US$) is said to be the street price (to be released Nov '09).

Still since the APC40 uses a proprietary protocol, it is uncertain if the Launchpad will be usable for controlling other things than Ableton Live.

26Jul/090

Ableton Live 8 Package Ressources (ALP Packages)

live_8

Since there are lots of ALP Packages that could be installed on older Ableton versions, i compiled a list of Packages in the Web that will work as well with Ableton Live 8 (although sometimes it is stated they would only work with older versions) - sometimes a bit tweaking is required, but nothing more than moving some files around in the file browser of Ableton. Besides the obvious ressource, ableton.com, i compiled a list of free 3rd party package ressources, that will keep your sequencer experience interesting. For importing and recovering old Ableton Sets i wrote a specific article, though some of the compatibility Packages are also listed here. The steps described and the package recommendations are for Mac OSX as well as for Microsoft Windows. If you know of some more ressources not listed here, please drop a comment!