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106 MacDirectory
REVIEW
ABLETON SUITE 8 BOX EDITION
In the world of digital audio workstations,
Ableton Live occupies a unique position
in that it is not only an excellent studio
DAW, it offers a degree of control and
flexibility that makes it one of the best live
performance tools around.
It is available in three versions: the full-
featured Live 8 ($449 / $399 download),
the capable Live Intro ($139 / $99
download), and Live Studio 8 ($699 / $649
download), which combines Live with an
impressive bundle of virtual instruments
and samples. While the download is
cheaper, the box is worth considering both
for the printed manual and, as described
below, the additional instruments that
accompany the Suite edition.
Clip View
In addition to its industry standard linear
session view, Live's unique clip view offers
the capability to spontaneously play any
audio or MIDI clip in perfect sync,
including the ability to record and play
back clips on the spot without skipping a
beat. This is particularly valuable when
combined with an Ableton-specific
controller, such as the Akai APC40 or
Novation Launchpad.
A producer or live performer can record
dozens of song elements both live and
ahead of time and then play and rearrange
them any way imaginable on the fly and
without missing a beat. This can provide a
great advantage to small ensembles in
search of an expanded live presence and is
particularly well suited to DJ situations in
both solo and band contexts.
One of the issues one might expect from
such flexibility would be the reconciling of
tempo and pitch, or the changing of
tempo within a song, but Live handles this
beautifully via drop-in cue points that you
can slide to change the note position
without having any impact on the pitch.
The overall pitch control is excellent and
makes it possible to a clip or even
individual notes without any noticeable
artifacts or timing shifts.
Instruments
While the starter and mid-level versions
include instruments, the full-blown
Ableton Suite comes with a large of
collection of instruments. This includes a
very capable sampler with high-quality
sound design tools, a great FM synth, a
percussion instrument, an analog synth
modeler, an electric pianos package, an
unusually good string modeling synth,
Analog (vintage synths), a classic machine
emulator, and a 107 instrument latin
percussion device). The boxed version also
includes a nice multisampled drum
instrument and a good quality selection of
keyboard, guitar, and orchestral sounds.
Interface
The only issue of note with the
instruments is one that relates to Live's
interface. In general, it bears less the mark
of a performer than a programmer. Its flat,
starkly drawn knobs and sliders offer none
of the visual finesse that one sees with
some competing products. When you are
working with a virtual instrument with a
complex control setup this can take some
getting used to, particularly when you
need to make an adjustment in a live,
distraction-filled environment.
On the other hand, you can hide or reveal
interface elements with a minimum of
effort. Of particular value is the collapsible
help panel that not only includes extensive
and highly detailed information and tutorials
but links to video instruction as well.
MIDI mapping is easy and quite thorough
and the user can add knobs and sliders to
suit their needs, but cherry-picking additional
controls is not an intuitive process.
Expandability
Live supports plug-in effects and
instruments in a variety of formats
including AU and VST and it also supports
Rewire. Hit a scan button in the setup
panel and you are presented with a list of
all available keyboards, controllers,
processors, external soft synths and
effects. Select the desired items and
you're ready to go.
Conclusions
Live is an impressive package that offers an
excellent alternative to a hair-pulling DAW
such as Logic and it offers more flexibility
that just about everything on the market.
Its live recording and triggering capability
opens the door to a level of onstage
spontaneity that simply cannot be found
anywhere else. On top of this, it has
perhaps the best help system of any
application you are likely to encounter. It
may not have the polished look of some of
the competition, but it is a very attractive
package nonetheless.
If you are a novice eager to spread your
wings or a seasoned pro looking to get
past the rocket science and focus on the
music, Ableton Live should be considered
a must-see item.
WORDS BY TREY YANCY
Product Ableton Live Suite 8
Made by Ableton