AESNYC07: Ableton Live Seven in Beta

US New instruments, enhanced audio engine 05/10/07

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Abletons Live 7 has just been put into Beta, making it the last BIG update of the season (Reason 4, Sonar 7, Logic 8, Nuendo 4 etc). With many new features, such as hardware integration to bring in hardware devices into the Live environment, improved MIDI timing and a 64-bit mixing engine, theyâ€™ve been hard at it. Several other user requested improvements are added too: Hereâ€™s what they have to say
Ableton Live 7 renews the core of Live, with enhancements to the audio engine including 64-bit mix summing, new and improved devices with side-chaining capability, better MIDI timing and hardware integration. We have also included the most-requested features, such as time signature changes, video export, multiple automation lanes and much more. Version 7 marks the arrival of the new "Drum Rack" which streamlines beat production via an easy drag-and-drop interface and offers native sliced audio and REX file support, bringing endless creative possibilities to beat lovers. Drum Rack
Setting up a set of drum pads that trigger any kind of sound, whether it be a sample or samples, or a virtual instrument â€“ just dragging and dropping will add it to the pad bank. You then get separate control over each pad with effects, level etc. It doesnâ€™t sound terrbilly ground breaking, but the workflow looks to be greatly enhanced for quick and deep performance of beats. Enhanced Audio Engine
Live 7's enhanced audio engine improves fidelity with precision 64-bit summing at all mix points throughout the program, POW-r dithering, optimized sample-rate conversion and other advances. New Compressor
The new compressor device integrates the compression models of Compressor I and II, and offers a new model based on a feedback design commonly found in the most praised vintage compressors. Sidechaining
Fully integrated side-chaining capability is available for the new Compressor as well as Gate and Auto Filter. High-Quality Modes
Operator, Dynamic Tube and Saturator now feature optional High-Quality modes for anti-aliased processing, reducing typical "digital" artifacts. EQ Eight
Eight sports an improved user interface and a new 64-bit mode for increased accuracy and fidelity. Spectrum
The new Spectrum device is an analyzer that provides real-time visual feedback for any audio signals within Live (and it looks really cool!). Improved MIDI Timing
The MIDI engine has been reworked and we were able to significantly reduce timing error (jitter) of recorded MIDI. Easy Hardware Integration
Hardware integration has been streamlined with the addition of two new devicesâ€”External Instrument and External Audio Effectâ€”allowing hardware synthesizers and effects to be inserted into device chains just like software plug-ins. Better Memory Management
New memory management technology allows users of large sample libraries, such as Ableton's new sampled instruments or third-party libraries imported via Sampler, to run an impressive number of instruments at the same time. This happens automatically, with no setup changes required. There are also three new add-on instruments: Tension a physical modeling string synthesizer that allows you to create incredibly accurate reproductions of real instruments or design otherworldly hybrids.
More Electric offers the sounds of classic electric pianos through physical modeling synthesis, allowing you to dive inside and play with the guts of the instrument.
More Analog emulates the unique circuitry and irresistible tweakability of vintage analog synthesizers. Able to produce everything from silky pad sweeps to earth-shaking bass.
More Pricing

Download version: EUR 419/USD 499

Boxed version, includes the Essential Instrument Collection 2 (EIC 2): EUR 499/USD 599
New Ableton Instruments

Tension: EUR 129/USD 159

Electric: EUR 129/USD 159

Analog: EUR 129/USD 159 Available Q4 2007

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