Ableton 12 - Generative MIDI, Multiband Distortion and more

[pdxindy]

doesn't seem worth the $200 upgrade fee just to get some browser filtering,midi roll updates, and some more synths. At least in 11 they added lanes. I feel like these should of just been a 11.5 update and 12 should include innovated features.

Value is a subjective term, but if I were still a Live user, I would be happy with V12 features vs the price. Seems like an excellent update to me.

[machinesworking]

doesn't seem worth the $200 upgrade fee just to get some browser filtering,midi roll updates, and some more synths. At least in 11 they added lanes. I feel like these should of just been a 11.5 update and 12 should include innovated features.

Plus...

Clip edit and rack at same time (Stacked Detail Views)
Live’s Mixer in Arrangement View
Keys and Scales throughout
MIDI Transformations & Generators (a lot more interesting and useful that they sound!)
Multiband Distortion
Sound Similarity Search (like XO/ATLAS)
New MAX Tools
New Clip Scale
Expanded probability
New tunings and most devices made MPE
Granulator III
Much, much better modulation!

etc...

Yeah I really don't get it? this is a killer update. The search alone is a huge difference. I literally have never really used Lives browser for more than adding VSTs and my own clippings for plugins. I never used Lives browser to drop in audio or catalog it at all. That will change big time with 12 I'm guessing, I could actually see using Live in the background like a search engine even when using other DAWs if it's elegant enough.

Most devices made or improved MPE wise, Granular improvements, better modulation. IMO improvements on existing plugins and structure are my #1 wish for any DAW. I don't think "feature creep" is the problem as much as tossing some feature or plugin out there and never updating and improving on it, because you're busy chasing some new feature, that, is what can kill a DAW, poorly implemented ideas all strung together without updates for years on end.

It's why most of us are rooting for ARA support over forcing or having Ableton spend years of development to attempt to get as good as what Celemony Melodyne offers right now. I'm far from someone who waxes Abletons virtues, I've trashed their direction for decades reallly! but you can't criticize without acknowledging the things they get right. This is a great update, it's the types of improvements I like seeing.

[SLiC]

It really is a heck of a lot of stuff- evetime I read it I see something new and cool! There are a lot of GUI and workflow improvements buried in there.

I had forgotten about the new utility device that can be used to send MIDI CC messages to hardware devices, that will be very useful, especially in my PUSH SO.

[machinesworking]

It really is a heck of a lot of stuff- evetime I read it I see something new and cool! There are a lot of GUI and workflow improvements buried in there.

I had forgotten about the new utility device that can be used to send MIDI CC messages to hardware devices, that will be very useful, especially in my PUSH SO.

OK I'm confused by that one, I don't recall ever having a problem recording or sending MIDI CC to hardware with Live? To be fair most of the time I've done that in DP, but I recall having made Clips with CC automation in them that controlled hardware?

[nanostream]

Yeah I really don't get it? this is a killer update. The search alone is a huge difference. I literally have never really used Lives browser for more than adding VSTs and my own clippings for plugins. I never used Lives browser to drop in audio or catalog it at all. That will change big time with 12 I'm guessing, I could actually see using Live in the background like a search engine even when using other DAWs if it's elegant enough.

The new search engine is low-key the most important update since forever, it will completely change how the browser works and how we‘ll interact with it. I’ll probably drop Collections and just use — an unlimited amount of — smart folders, or use some metadata foo to get dynamically updated samples or whatever.

I’m pretty sure it was a lot of work to get it right. Provided it works well, this is a huge qualitative change and so much more than „some browser filtering“. Can’t wait to try it.

But I can’t. That’s because still, to this day, Ableton hasn’t approved my beta application. Which is a shame, to put it mildly. Shame on you, Ableton.

[nanostream]

It really is a heck of a lot of stuff- evetime I read it I see something new and cool! There are a lot of GUI and workflow improvements buried in there.

The release notes are never ending. I’ve read just a fraction, it’s almost overwhelming. So much stuff! It really is a huge update, imo.

[SLiC]

Good video below- I have only just realised that the 'scale' function is per clip, not per song!
Also things like spacing in oscillators and resonators are also scale aware!

[machinesworking]

I’m pretty sure it was a lot of work to get it right. Provided it works well, this is a huge qualitative change and so much more than „some browser filtering“. Can’t wait to try it.

But I can’t. That’s because still, to this day, Ableton hasn’t approved my beta application. Which is a shame, to put it mildly. Shame on you, Ableton.

Well to make it feel any better, I've been on their forums since 2003, used Live since v3, but I still don't get early access, they simply have a larger pool of users to give early access to than probably any other DAW out there beside FL Studio and Pro Tools. I sign up for their betas on Centercode every time, but the days of Ableton treating early customers with reverence are pretty much over. I don't expect it though, because I've railed against the mouse heavy GUI, CPU sucking embedded plug ins, and other areas of Live for decades. So I'm probably not seen as a True Believer™.

[rod_zero]

It really is a heck of a lot of stuff- evetime I read it I see something new and cool! There are a lot of GUI and workflow improvements buried in there.

I had forgotten about the new utility device that can be used to send MIDI CC messages to hardware devices, that will be very useful, especially in my PUSH SO.

OK I'm confused by that one, I don't recall ever having a problem recording or sending MIDI CC to hardware with Live? To be fair most of the time I've done that in DP, but I recall having made Clips with CC automation in them that controlled hardware?

This is a new device, think of it like a macro rack but instead of controlling devices down the chain you select which MIDI CC # the dial will control, so you just select MIDI CC #77 and the knob now controls that, sending it to the external device, then later you can automate it as any other device parameter.

Before you had to select the MIDI CC # from the MIDI clip menu and automate it there, which wasn't bad but this new devices makes controlling HW very fast, saving presets for your synths.

CC Control.png

[elxsound]

Yeah I really don't get it? this is a killer update. The search alone is a huge difference. I literally have never really used Lives browser for more than adding VSTs and my own clippings for plugins. I never used Lives browser to drop in audio or catalog it at all. That will change big time with 12 I'm guessing, I could actually see using Live in the background like a search engine even when using other DAWs if it's elegant enough.

The new search engine is low-key the most important update since forever, it will completely change how the browser works and how we‘ll interact with it. I’ll probably drop Collections and just use — an unlimited amount of — smart folders, or use some metadata foo to get dynamically updated samples or whatever.

I’m pretty sure it was a lot of work to get it right. Provided it works well, this is a huge qualitative change and so much more than „some browser filtering“. Can’t wait to try it.

But I can’t. That’s because still, to this day, Ableton hasn’t approved my beta application. Which is a shame, to put it mildly. Shame on you, Ableton.

I’m toying around with some ideas for collections, using it to quickly find mixing, mastering tools or fake mastering in a crunch.

Since we have templates, it becomes a very narrow criteria for curated collections.

It doesn’t mean you can’t do the same thing with filtering but I find it a little cleaner seeing these under the colored collections.

[SLiC]

I would like to be able to load or switch collections in a project, start with a global, switch to mastering collection, swich to synth collection etc- keep it all neat and on one screen- if that collections list get to long and you have to start scrolling it will get messy. Also keep it simple! I used to love the Bitwig Pop Up Browser and now (since the redesign) it has way too many options for me...more isn't always better and a few limitations help keep you focused!

[machinesworking]

It really is a heck of a lot of stuff- evetime I read it I see something new and cool! There are a lot of GUI and workflow improvements buried in there.

I had forgotten about the new utility device that can be used to send MIDI CC messages to hardware devices, that will be very useful, especially in my PUSH SO.

OK I'm confused by that one, I don't recall ever having a problem recording or sending MIDI CC to hardware with Live? To be fair most of the time I've done that in DP, but I recall having made Clips with CC automation in them that controlled hardware?

This is a new device, think of it like a macro rack but instead of controlling devices down the chain you select which MIDI CC # the dial will control, so you just select MIDI CC #77 and the knob now controls that, sending it to the external device, then later you can automate it as any other device parameter.

Before you had to select the MIDI CC # from the MIDI clip menu and automate it there, which wasn't bad but this new devices makes controlling HW very fast, saving presets for your synths.

CC Control.png

OK that makes sense, it allows control surfaces to use the CC's without being tied to a one CC per knob paradigm etc. which is the way it would work before. Super useful with synths that have limited knobs etc.

[nanostream]

Well to make it feel any better,

No it doesn’t. Not at all. (I guess I’ll keep doing this bit until Ableton grants me access )

And yeah, I think the jury is still out on what’s going to happen with Collections, we’ll see. But if implemented right, I guess smart folders (or this whole metadata database thing, rather) will make everything so much easier that we won’t need them anymore. I wonder if we can use folders f.e., or metadata like file creation date for searches.

[Atlatnesiti]

Brilliant update.
Pre-Purchased it already. Can’t wait to try out beta
Btw; Just downloaded it, brilliant

[Jolaff]

Brilliant update.
Pre-Purchased it already. Can’t wait to try out beta
Btw; Just downloaded it, brilliant

You got the access for the beta ?