Ableton Live for Windows

Used Ableton Live for Windows?

Editors’ Review

Download.com staffSeptember 25, 2017

Ableton Live is one of several digital audio products that have genuinely transformed the music scene in the past few years. The software is about as close as it's possible to get to a computer-based sequencer that can be played live, like a real instrument. Recording and arranging audio is effortless with its elegantly designed interface, and its Arrange window makes composition just as enjoyable. MIDI composition and editing can be integrated seamlessly into compositions that also use prerecorded audio. Adding effects and manipulating sounds in radical ways, all on the fly, is a snap, and the software supports third-party plug-in technologies including VST. Rewire functionality helps connect it to other sequencing software or applications such as Reason. The package comes with a snazzy software synth called Operator, which takes both visual and sonic inspiration from vintage analog synths. Our only real objection is that, like most pro audio apps, Live's learning curve has become increasingly steep with every release. Even the step-by-step instructions left us scratching our heads at times. But with virtually limitless capabilities, Ableton Live is one of the most captivating music-production packages on the market today.

What’s new in version 7.0.1

This latest version has improved features and effects.

Ableton Live for Windows

Used Ableton Live for Windows?

Explore More

Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: July 28, 2005

Latest update: September 25, 2017

Version: 7.0.1

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows 2000
Windows 10
Windows XP
Windows NT
Windows ME
Windows 98

Additional Requirements: Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 238,013

Downloads Last Week: 1

Report Software

Program available in other languages

Descargar Ableton Live

Last Updated

User Reviews

3.5/5

14 User Votes

The Ultimate for Electronic Dance Music
3507ERICAugust 28, 2012
Pros
unique session view naturally and intuitively unlocks worlds of possibility, live, for the dj/controllerist.
Cons
a big mama to get ones arms around, but easy is for dates, not music
Summary
no competition for dj/controllerist/e dance composer
The most innovative DAW on the market. Mainly for
Hans_SanitizerJuly 26, 2011
Pros
So many I couldn't hope to list them all here. To sum it up it's a DAW that you can use like an instrument.
Cons
Not 64-bit. Not for people who don't want to try something new.
Summary
If you're looking for a program that requires little work to get a generic sound out of it go for FL-Studio. If you're looking for a real program that requires you to grow some balls to use it, that you can take with you from the composition stage to the stage you perform on, that's reliable cross platform from a company that's main focus is making music software for musicians (rather than FL asking you to rat out any site that has illegal copies of it, and your friends that have copies of it, includes spyware that tracks you and spends a lot of money on a legal team that "gets results" - from FL's webpage) use Ableton Live. Also Ableton has many midi controllers specifically designed for it. This is the future of music production, don't take my word for it ask Justice or Daft Punk among many others.
NOT RECOMMENDED FOR IDIOTS OR THE LAZY
jwarvAugust 2, 2009
Pros
It's pretty.
Cons
See summary.
Summary
I consider myself both (see review title) whenever I start to fiddle with this madness that is Ableton Live. I have yet to actually see a project to fruition. I ALWAYS end up going back to hardware recording after using this program. I must be stupid, but I HATE, HATE, HATE that I cannot conquer this program. Any gurus out there who might want to camp out at my house when I'm ready to use it? Anyone? Anyone?
Exceptionally complete. But DJ's be warned!
**w**January 4, 2009
Pros
There are so many options. This piece of software is the most complete package I've ever got my hands on. Remixing and creating music on the go has never been so easy.
Cons
A whole lot of options requires a whole lot of learning :) It doesn't work with 2 sound cards!!!! If you're a DJ and you want to mix with Ableton, prepare yourself for a whole lot of head scratching and frustration. Why, you ask?
Summary
Because just setting op the cue is a nightmare. Like I said, Ableton doesn't support working with 2 soundcards simultaneously. If you want to listen to your cue with a headphone, your soundcard needs at least 2 stereo out. Even though most soundcard have thjis feature nowadays, setting it up in your preferences is guaranteed to give you a headache. But...... If you succeed in doing this, Ableton is magic! Unlimited numbers of effects can be be applied on your tracks. Creating your own loops is easy. Warping, time-stretching, pitching and using the equalizer feel so fluid and intuitive. Mixing 6 tracks at the same time while playing a tune with your midi keyboard linked with some vst's just works. Simple as that. As far as producing music goes, I recon some people might prefer other software for the creation of the samples itself, but when it comes arranging them nothing beats ableton. I would advise everyone to give it a go. It may be bit too much for some people, but if you have a good basic understanding about loop based music, you'll get the hang of this in no time.
they have great performances
hopyguyDecember 6, 2008
Pros
to help to use a live for a remix as necessary.
Cons
if i'm not sure to do how to use that, i'll try this soon.
Summary
Easiest, most intuitive DAW ever
scricharOctober 15, 2008
Pros
The clips, the warping, the easy object-oriented interface... How can I say enough about this software?
Cons
I don't like that I can't change time signatures within my song file (!!!) Also plugins are a little crappy but what do you expect from free preloaded effects?
Summary
I've used a few different tools over the years. Digital Performer, Cakewalk, Logic, Protools. By far, this one is the friendliest, if not the most powerful. If you are a tekkie or gear head, go with one of the more feature-heavy DAW's. If you're a songwriter, though, and you want something that is easy to use and sounds great, Live is for you. As other reviewers have posted, it does eat up RAM, so make sure you've dedicated enough resources.
Not for Low-Ram computers.
MarioMan94November 10, 2007
Pros
Seems to have a lot of options for music creation
Cons
Freezes after about a minute. No sound and I could not fix with new/different sound drivers. Eats up CPU. FLstudio/Reason both work fine on my computer. <p> <p>-note: I'm using an AMD athlon XP 1600+ (1.4 gh) with 512mb of Ram, so if you have anything less powerful than that, you'll probably have problems.
Summary
ondapunchipunchiAugust 26, 2007
Pros
no nada
Cons
no nda
Summary
Terrible, whats the point if you can't save?
matty1manMay 21, 2007
Pros
You can record your own music and it has a great looking layout.
Cons
You can't save anything and the gadgets arn't great, i have seen alot of better programs!
Summary
Very intuitive and powerful tool to publish and to execute live performances
PelidaDecember 12, 2006
Pros
More than a tool to record sound, Live is an application for live performances, which provides to total functionality to control in real time the parameters that other software. Definitively, Live revolutionized the form to edit, to compose and to execute music in addition to being very intuitive.
Cons
Summary

Developer’s Description

Loop, synchronize, improvise, and record music.