Ableton Live 13 announced

Set to launch in early 2027

The latest version of Ableton's DAW software has just been unveiled, and will be making an official appearance in early 2027. Ahead of its full release, Live 13 is being made available as a public beta, and the company are currently offering a discount on Live 12 licenses along with with a free update to the latest version when it launches.

As you'd expect from a major update, Live 13 introduces a significant amount of new features. Some of the highlights include ARA 2 plug-in support, an all-new Step Sequencer, expanded Racks and new devices, and a whole host of new tools aimed at mixing and sound design. The new version will also launch alongside an update for the much-loved Push 3, which will be getting kitted out with some powerful new performance features.

What's New? Here's a look at some of the headline features that are set to be introduced in Live 13:

ARA 2 Support: Work with ARA 2 plug-ins directly in Live for faster, more advanced audio editing. Correct pitch and timing, handle post-production or reshape audio in unexpected ways without leaving Live. Live 13 Suite includes Melodyne Essential for precise audio tuning and timing edits.

Step Sequencer: a playful new way to create MIDI patterns in Live. Build a beat or melody in a few clicks, create evolving polyrhythms with independent row lengths and playback settings, and add variation with per-step velocity, chance, repeat and pitch bend.

Capture Automation: Tweak knobs, press buttons or move controls as you explore, then press Capture to turn your gestures into automation you can edit and develop into longer, expressive phrases.

Contextual Browsing: Load devices or swap presets directly from the device chain, so you can work fast and stay with the sound you're building. Using new clickable controls and keyboard shortcuts, you can create complete Instrument Racks and effects chains without opening the main Browser or even moving the mouse.

Drum Synth: Design percussion directly with controls made for musical results across their full range. Dial in classic drum machine hits, sculpt physically modelled percussion, or explore the in-betweens with more experimental engines.

Looplet: a Max for Live device for Live 13 Suite that uses four playheads to layer and loop different parts of a single sample. Capture audio directly into Looplet and create ambient textures, tape-style gestures, granular glitches and drones that stay loose, grid-free and playable.

Rack Controls & Mapping: Expand your favourite Racks and assign up to 32 Macros as remote controls or modulators, with customisable curves for each mapping. Reorder Macros, add buttons for on/off controls and create mappings by drag and drop. Plus, cycle notes through chains in Instrument and MIDI Effect Racks with Round Robin.

Envelope Clips: Add automation or modulation to effects on Return tracks. Set different device parameters per scene and trigger instant effect changes in Session View, modulate effect parameters with looping clips, or combine with Follow Actions and unlinked envelopes for less predictable results.

Multiband & Mid-Side Racks: Multiband Racks let you apply effects to specific frequency ranges using different filter types including linear phase filters, while Mid-Side Racks let you process the centre and sides of the stereo field independently. Balance competing elements, control width and make room for the details of your mix.

Clipper & Transient Shaper: Take control of dynamics with two new audio effects for Live Suite. Add punch, soften attacks and tighten or bring out tails with Transient Shaper. Use Clipper to control peaks, push your mix louder or introduce harmonic distortion.

New Core Library Presets: New effect presets, Racks and templates offer ready-made starting points for vocal and guitar production, mixing and mastering.

Device Slots & Other Mixer Improvements: Device Slots give you a clear overview of the devices on each track, directly in the mixer. Toggle, reorder and try new combinations without stepping through tracks individually. Other refinements include compact Send sliders, quicker control over which sections are shown, and smoother mixer resizing.

Classic Dynamics & EQ Pack by Softube: Five Max for Live audio effects for Live Suite, modelled by Softube on sought-after studio hardware and ready for hands-on control with Push. Control dynamics, carve tone and add warmth with FET and optical compression, British console EQ and compression, and analogue-style drive.

Push Updates Along with Live 13's new sequencing and sound-design tools, Ableton's hands-on controller has also been treated to a major new performance feature: Custom Layouts. Available in both Connected and Standalone modes, the new function allows users to create a different performance service for every Set, offering deeper control over complex sounds and providing a new way top sequence beats and melodies from the Push 3's pads.

Here's a look over what's coming for the Push 3:

Custom Layouts: For the first time, make Push's pad surface entirely your own. Combine and arrange your choice of elements including note areas, Session View, faders and expressive XYZ controls, and map them to tracks and parameters anywhere in your Set. Each layout can take whatever form your Set calls for: a compact solo performance setup, a surface for playing an instrument with one hand while launching clips and shaping effects with the other, a grid of expressive controls for modulating several sounds at once, or something else altogether.

Performance Mixer: Play the mixer as an instrument in its own right. Designed for DJ performances, dub-style improvisation and more, Performance Mixer places Session View above touch-responsive pad faders, giving you fine control over individual levels while keeping

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