Ableton Live 8

General Sequencers from the Live series by Ableton

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Ableton Live 8 user reviews ( 8/10) - 23 user reviews

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09/24/11

ericthegreat's review

Getting Started
I have been using ableton for a while now, so using 8 was a must upgrade. There are some difference between 8 and previous version of this software . But the set up and upgrade were easy and the manual was very clear. Even though I hate manuals this one wasn’t bad.
Suitability/Performance
Ableton 8 defies almost everything about what I assumed about this program. Unlike 6, 8 is about 30% more effective on the CPU than 6, while being able to handle so much more. This in of itself is hugely impressive because on a good day the batteries on my mac would only last 30mn using 6, with 8 while using more effects, my mac would last 45 to 1 hour operation time. Hard to believe but it's true. Ableton 8 has much more to offer than ever before, and it works more smoothly than 6, occasional glitches here and there, but in all manner of ways it is a huge upgrade from 6. It sounds better, has a very good limiter, a better compressor (that combines compressor 1 and 2 from the earlier versions), an easier tool like Slice To Midi that allows many users to finally do IDM/EDM music in the way it's meant to be done without having to do all the cut and paste that had to be done in 6 just to come close to doing decent to good IDM music. I definitely am eager to see how it works from video aspect. There are some improvements but I haven't yet gotten my hands wet in that dept.
Overall Opinion
Overall, the improvements that were made from previous versions to ableton 8 are a huge difference. A difference with stability and overall performance. They fixed a few bugs that the program had from version 6 that went into 7. But with Ableton 8 they stopped. Ableton 8 will surprise you!

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08/08/11

polishdog90's review "Good for creative mixing"

Getting Started
There was no comparability issues on my Mac. It was a pretty simple put in the disc and install situation. If you've installed a program before you should have no trouble with this one. The general layout of the program is pretty easy to navigate as well. There was a little bit of a learning curve but that's usual for a new program. It took some messing around with the song block feature of the program to achieve results but once you get the hang of it it's simple.
Suitability/Performance
Firstly, I'm running this on a Macbook Pro OSX 10.6.8 with 2.4Ghz processor and 2 GBs of ram. I've never had any issues mixing or tracking with the software. I've only recorded 8 tracks at a time but everything went smoothly. I've mixed with somewhere around 30 tracks without any crashes. I've used several plug ins and they all worked fine. No complaints from me in the performance category.
Overall Opinion
I really like Ableton for writing music on the computer. The song block, looping, and live mixing make it really easy to have a creative flow. As for tracking and mixing a live band, I prefer Pro Tools or Logic. I just think the tracking and mixing layouts are nicer and the programs themselves sound better. Ableton is super nice for electronic music and live performance. You can easily splice a song and add/subtract parts in real time. This makes DJing exciting and easy. It also makes it really easy to write while recording. You just start a loop and keep adding things until your ready to move on to another part. It was a pretty good deal for the price but if I didn't make electronic music I would hardly use this program at all. Most of the time I end up slaving reason to pro tools for recording and production.

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12/30/09

songboy's review

Getting Started
There were no compatibility issues running Ableton 8 on my Macbook.

I have browsed the manual here and there, but it is rather long and with the Ableton forums, great tutorials and google, you really don't need it at all.

If you have used a DAW software before, then the "arrangement" section shouldn't be to hard to figure out. I also have Logic 9 and I prefer to use that. I feel that Ableton's interface is a little inferior compared to Logic 9. In Logic, the separation of the clips or tracks is very easy to see and therefore manipulate. In Ableton, the background bleeds into every clip, making it a little hard to use. When it comes to the "Session" view, things are very simple and extremely useful. The only complaint I have is the lack of a "Floating Window" feature. When all of the windows are opened up, you run out of screen space really quick.

The typical functions are easy enough to access. Ableton is really special because of its arrangement view which is really original. The functions of that aspect are also easy to access.
Suitability/Performance
The software works great on my man with one exception, it seems that one of my favorite plugins (GSi's Mr. Ray 73) occasionally generates severe latency. It happens all of a sudden and I cannot figure out what causes it either. The big problem is that after I close/remove the plugin, the latency still persists. Even if I close that session and open up a new one, it is still there. The only remedy is to shut ableton down entirely and relaunch it. This is a big problem for me because I really need a good Rhodes plugin and the GSi is the best I have ever had. I have contacted Ableton about this but have not had a reply yet. If only they had a Midi reset feature, like Logic 9/Mainstage 2 has, it would not be an issue. Hopefully they will fix this in an update. I also notice that Ableton 8 crashes on me once in a great while when I am changing my Audio output preferences (built in output changed to Presonus Firebox). It has only happened 3 times over the past 2 months, and it only happens when I first open up the project. Besides those two hiccups, ableton functions fine.

With those two problems in the mix, I can only give ableton an 8 out of 10.

I have been using Ableton 8 for 2 months.
Overall Opinion
What I like the most is the amazing abilities Live can give a performing musician. First off, they have added a looping device plugin which is absolutely spectacular. I used to own a RC 50, but I sold it when I found out what ableton was capable of. Due to the fact that it is computer based, there is a extremely small amount of latency, but other than that, it kills!!!!! the RC 50 in every aspect. Of course, I should mention the sheer value of the "session view" which for me is priceless. I can do the "one man band" thing with great ease due to this software.

The only fallbacks for me are the ones I mentioned earlier.

There really is nothing else out there that can give you this much bang for your buck. I paid $229 with an artist account and upgrade discount. It is worth every single penny.

Besides the little bit of latency that happens when running analog instruments (guitar and bass), the precision is great and the sound quality is just as good as Logic/mainstage or any other DAW I have used.

I have used Logic, Cakewalk Sonar and Cubase. I prefer Logic for Recording/writing but Ableton is the only choice when it comes to playing Live.

Yes, I would happily buy this again if I had to.

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In the General Sequencers category, Audiofanzine members have liked :

Ableton Live 8

Ableton Live 8 user reviews ( 8/10) - 23 user reviews

ericthegreat's review

polishdog90's review "Good for creative mixing"

songboy's review

Whiterabbit06's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " Live + Electro = 20/20"

newjazz's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " Simple, complete, and more"

guillaume001's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

7alb's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " excellent!"

the dwarf's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

benzouille's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " perfect"

Maxlfo's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " TOP 3 sequencers current"