Ableton has announced the upcoming release Ableton Live 12, set for official release in early 2024. Users of Live 9, 10, and 11 Standard and Suite can currently access the public Live 12 Beta. The new version introduces several features and enhancements. We have the details.
Ableton describes Live 12 as offering "new ways to explore who you are as a music maker," highlighting MIDI Generators for kick-starting melodies and rhythms, along with Transformations for further creativity.
The update also includes new devices such as Meld, a morphing bi-timbral synth, Roar, a multi-band distortion, and Granulator III for sound experimentation.
Key features of Live 12 include Generative MIDI, allowing the software to create melodies, rhythms, and chords, Global tuning for key consistency across clips and devices, and support for microtuning and non-western scales. The user interface has been overhauled to enable simultaneous views of arrangement, mixer, devices, and clips.
Ableton has also introduced a new Stack Detail View, enabling users to view devices and clip view at the same time, enhancing workflow and organization.
New features in Live 12 At A Glance
Meld
A bi-timbral, MPE-capable instrument designed for deep sound shaping that lets you create a wide array of textural and experimental tones with its two easy-to-use macro oscillators.
Granulator III
The latest iteration of Robert Henke’s granular instrument now has MPE capability, giving you expressive control over parameters like note bend, vibrato and glissando. Plus, you can now capture audio in real time and start manipulating it immediately.
Roar
Create everything from subtle and precise mastering-grade warmth to wild and unpredictable sound degradation with Live’s new colouring and saturation effect. Roar’s three saturation stages can be used in series, parallel, or even in mid/side and multi-band configurations – and it comes equipped with a feedback generator and an extensive modulation matrix.
New Modulation Behaviour
Modulation destinations are no longer taken over by the modulation source. This means you can still adjust the parameter being modulated, even after assigning an LFO or other modulation source to it, opening up faster workflows, more possibilities for performance and continuous real-time control of parameters.
New Packs
Lost and Found – A collection of sounds fashioned from unusual materials, percussive trinkets, unique foley recordings and expressive objects to infuse your productions with character and authenticity. Dig deep and create layers of decorative, expressive instruments, playful Drum Racks and rich sound effects.
Performance Pack – A set of innovative devices from Iftah that push the boundaries of performing with Live. Capture snapshots of your sets and deploy them later, control multiple parameters with layered macros and curves, extend performances with looping in Arrangement View and pre-arrange the structure of a performance before you have even recorded it.
Stacked Detail Views
View your devices and the Clip Editor, or automation and device parameters, at the same time – so you can work without the distraction of switching between views.
View styling
Live 12’s cleaner, more minimal look removes visual complexity and keeps the focus on your music.
Mixer in Arrangement
Live’s Mixer, previously available only in Session View, can now be used in Arrangement View. Toggle it on or off with Mixer View Control located in the bottom right corner or via the View menu, and configure it independently of the Arrangement Mixer.
Mixer improvements
Live’s Mixer also comes with visual improvements that make it more accurate for detailed mixing decisions, and easier to read and control.
Browser Tagging and Filtered Searches
Search for your sounds in the Browser without the constraints of Live's built-in categorization. That means when you search for bass sounds, you'll see all the bass sounds in your Ableton library, whether they're samples or instrument presets.
Live 12's sound content is also tagged using a new system that acts as a more flexible alternative or addition to Collections in the sidebar. Sounds now come with sensible labels to make them easier to find – but if you need more detail, or just want to use your own method of labeling, you can also add your own.
Aside from Live 12's built-in tags, you can create your own custom categories in the sidebar for easy access to all your favorite sounds and devices in the way that makes the most sense to your workflow.
Sound Similarity Search
Start with a sample and tell Live’s browser to find comparable sounds and instrument presets, with the help of a neural network.
Or swap all the samples in your Drum Rack for similar ones to quickly try out new percussive textures – like a drum machine with seemingly-infinite kits.
Browser History
Retrace your steps, and see and hear the sounds or categories you've previously searched for: Live's Browser now lets you backtrack through your search history as you would with a web browser.
Accessibility and navigation improvements
Control core workflows in Live 12 using assistive technologies like screen readers, and use new keyboard shortcuts to navigate to nearly every part of Live.
New Themes
Choose new themes and adjust them with cool, neutral or warm tones and even a high contrast mode.
Price And Availability
Pricing for Live 12 is set at €79/$99 for Live Intro, €279/$439 for Live Standard, and €599/$749 for Live Suite, with discounted upgrades available for existing users.