Bitwig Studio 2 : What specifically can it do that Ableton Live 9 can't?

[jackson881]

I haven't been able to find a source that lists an objective feature comparison of Bitwig Studio 2 vs Ableton Live 9 Suite.

I'm a long time Ableton user. I can see that the modulation options in Bitwig 2 seem incredible in comparison to Ableton. Other than that, I was hoping to find an objective list of other features Bitwig 2 has that Ableton has yet to implement.

What features made you want to switch from Ableton to Bitwig or made you want to use both in your stage/studio setups?

[SLiC]

You can edit the audio quite comprehensively in 'clips'
Very fast workflow for halving/doubling, reversing audio- great for glitchy drum loops...
The liniar daw and clips can be used in the same window (rather than one or the other)
There are many more window/clip layouts for editing (not just 2)
The liniar DAW has far more features like group tracks
You have hybrid tracks
You can view multiple tracks when editing, i.e. See a midi track superimposed over audio to get alignment indicators
Bitwig has taken racks to another level, the modulation system is built from the ground up for full instigation.
For me, the hardware integration and cv output are top features.
Running Bitwig as clock slave has also made me use Bitwig like hardware with my Euro or Analog Rytm...this is actuly really cool.

I still have Live 9 suite but haven't used it much- I would say it has better support from hardware manufactures being more of a standard, and it has o e or two tricks Bitwig doesnt do (groove extraction, audio to midi) but not stuff I missed given the list above. For me Ableton put most of there effort in to Push, which is something I have no interest in.

[xbitz]

viewtopic.php?p=6324060#p6324060

[jackson881]

Thank you, SLiC. That is a great overview. I really appreciate it.

Being able to launch clips in the arrangement view is an incredible workflow concept.

What exactly are "hybrid tracks" ?

[jackson881]

viewtopic.php?p=6324060#p6324060

Apologies xbitz. I thought people might find it helpful to see a direct comparison beginning with just Bitwig 2, so that its new features were taken into consideration from the start when doing the analysis.

I can close the topic if everyone feels it's too similar or redundant. Sorry again.

[pdxindy]

The liniar DAW has far more features like group tracks

Just to be clear, Live has group tracks... What Bitwig can do though that Live cannot is have groups within groups.

[re23071998]

Thank you, SLiC. That is a great overview. I really appreciate it.

Being able to launch clips in the arrangement view is an incredible workflow concept.

What exactly are "hybrid tracks" ?

you can put midi of wave file on them

[sbj]

[pdxindy]

Thank you, SLiC. That is a great overview. I really appreciate it.

Being able to launch clips in the arrangement view is an incredible workflow concept.

What exactly are "hybrid tracks" ?

Hybrid tracks are tracks that can have both audio and midi clips on the same track. They are what allows 'bounce in place' which is one of the best features ever!!

Bitwig also supports MPE controllers like Linnstrument and Rise which was a big reason I switched from Live.

[BDeep]

The liniar DAW has far more features like group tracks

Just to be clear, Live has group tracks... What Bitwig can do though that Live cannot is have groups within groups.

Eeeerrrr yes it can...

Edit: I only now see this is about tracks... you can have groups within groups, if the midi data is on the upper level. But not sure if it can be done on more levels if you would want each track to have its own midi data...
Edit2: Nope, you're right, just one level down for tracks with their own midi data

[xbitz]

can have unlimited nesting with the Instrument Rack which can be grouped into another one and another ...