Since its inception, Ableton has become one of the key music-making software packages, with its incredibly flexible range of tools making it useful for all manner of creative means.

Ableton Live 6 contains a handful of new features, but ultimately it’s the behind-the-scenes additions that are most crucial. Now, it runs better and is glitch-free on older computers, and it’s these unglamorous but crucial improvements that are the major advance.

So what is Ableton all about? Well, in its basic form, it allows you to make music using sound samples and instruments, either with virtual software or external equipment such as guitars and synthesizers. Ableton is known as an audio/MIDI sequencer, which is a software program that allows you to arrange music and into a composition, while controlling additional factors like stereo panning and volume.

As a sequencer, its tools are simply unrivalled, with brilliant editing features that allow you to manipulate and stretch sounds to fit in with the tempo and key. Adding external MIDI instruments, such as a keyboard, is a doddle and allows you to insert your own composed bass-lines to sampled drum loops, for example. Effects (such as delays and reverbs) can also be added effortlessly.

More complex characteristics such as the groove of the track and effects changes are also brilliantly integrated. If you’re an amateur, you’ll find it easy to get to grips with, while serious musicians and programmers will revel in its features.

It has also become an incredible tool for DJs, allowing pre-edited tracks to be layered on top of each other and re-edited in real-time to allow truly awe-inspiring mixes to be created. If you’ve witnessed people doing this, you’ll understand how breathtaking the potential can be.

New to version 6 is support for new dual-core processors, integration of video clips and a whole new range of virtual instruments that sound fantastic.

With more and more producers moving from old favourites such as Logic, Cubase and Reason to Ableton, it’s clear this is becoming the pro’s choice, signified by the price tag. But its incredible ease of use means that anyone with a few beats in their head will still be able to sketch their ideas down and make music.

Also consider
Cubase 4 and Cubase Studio 4
Steinberg’s flagship music production suite gets a new look and many new features

Sony Acid XMC 6
Although Acid XMC is a no-frills product, it is still capable of producing good-quality recordings

O-Generator
A great package that could help improve existing musical ability

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