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Ableton Live

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Last updated on

Company health

Employee growth
2% decrease in the last year
Web traffic
2% decrease in the last quarter

Ratings

G2
4.7/5
(155)
Glassdoor
3.1/5
(95)

Ableton Live description

Ableton Live is software for making music on Windows and Mac. You can record music, create songs, and perform live. It's designed for both individuals and professionals in the music industry. Ableton Live is known for its user-friendly interface, powerful features for live performance, and seamless integration with hardware controllers.

Who is Ableton Live best for

Ableton Live is a powerful tool for musicians, DJs, and producers, especially those in electronic music. We find its user-friendly interface and live performance capabilities are a great fit for those seeking a flexible and versatile workflow. However, some users report issues with customer support, upgrade pricing, and software stability, so be sure to weigh these considerations before purchasing.

  • Best for mid-sized music production teams (101-1000 employees) seeking a flexible, all-in-one solution.

  • Suited for professionals in software, IT, and telecommunications who need robust audio creation and editing capabilities.

Ableton Live features

Supported

Non-destructive audio editing: Ableton Live offers non-destructive audio editing, allowing users to experiment with edits without permanently altering the original audio.

Supported

Integration with external editors: Ableton Live can integrate with external audio editors such as Audacity, Reaper, and Twistedwave, expanding its editing capabilities.

Supported

Consolidation of audio clips: Ableton Live allows for consolidation of audio clips, streamlining the editing process and improving workflow.

Supported

Time-stretching and warping: Ableton Live provides time-stretching and warping capabilities, allowing users to manipulate the timing and tempo of audio without affecting its pitch.

Supported

Real-time audio manipulation: Ableton Live enables real-time audio manipulation, allowing users to adjust and transform audio signals in real-time during live performances or studio sessions.

Supported

MIDI sequencing: Ableton Live supports MIDI sequencing, enabling users to create and edit musical compositions using MIDI instruments and controllers.

Supported

Effects and instruments: Ableton Live offers a variety of effects and instruments for sound design and music creation.

Supported

Arrangement View: Ableton Live features an Arrangement View, providing a timeline-based environment for arranging and composing music.

Supported

Session View: Ableton Live includes a Session View, which allows for non-linear performance and improvisation with audio clips and MIDI sequences.

Qualities

We evaluate the sentiment that users express about non-functional aspects of the software

Value and Pricing Transparency

Strongly negative
-0.71

Customer Service

Strongly negative
-0.8

Ease of Use

Neutral
-0.11

Reliability and Performance

Rather negative
-0.45

Ableton Live reviews

We've summarised 204 Ableton Live reviews (Ableton Live TrustPilot reviews and Ableton Live G2 reviews) and summarised the main points below.

Pros of Ableton Live
  • User-friendly interface
  • Powerful features for live performance
  • Seamless integration with hardware controllers
  • Flexible and versatile workflow
  • Excellent sound quality
Cons of Ableton Live
  • Difficult to remove completely from system
  • Poor customer support, slow response times
  • Predatory upgrade pricing
  • Inaccurate or misleading "free" software offers
  • Software bugs, crashes, and performance issues especially after upgrades

Ableton Live pricing

The commentary is based on 17 reviews from Ableton Live G2 reviews and Ableton Live TrustPilot reviews.

We find that Ableton Live's pricing is a common concern. While many users consider it a worthwhile investment for its features and capabilities, some find the initial cost and upgrade fees high, especially compared to other DAWs. A few users mention the expense, while others state it's worth the price.

Users sentiment

Strongly negative
-0.71

See the Ableton Live pricing page.

Ableton Live alternatives

Ableton Live FAQ

  • What is Ableton Live and what does Ableton Live do?

    Ableton Live is music software for Windows and Mac used for creating, recording, and performing music. We find it's popular with musicians, DJs, and producers for its live performance features and hardware integration. It offers tools like MIDI sequencing and audio manipulation effects.

  • How does Ableton Live integrate with other tools?

    Ableton Live integrates with external audio editors like Audacity, Reaper, and Twistedwave. It also seamlessly connects with various hardware controllers for enhanced live performances. We find this expands its creative potential significantly.

  • What the main competitors of Ableton Live?

    We find that Ableton Live's main competitors include FL Studio, Logic Pro X, Cubase, and GarageBand. These alternatives offer similar music production capabilities.

  • Is Ableton Live legit?

    Yes, Ableton Live is legitimate software. However, user reviews mention some negative aspects like difficulty uninstalling, poor customer support, and bugs, especially after upgrades. We advise doing thorough research before committing.

  • How much does Ableton Live cost?

    Ableton Live offers three editions: Intro for $99, Standard for $449, and Suite for $749. We find these are competitive prices for robust music production software.

  • Is Ableton Live customer service good?

    We find that Ableton Live's customer service receives highly negative reviews. Users frequently report slow response times, unhelpful support staff, and difficulty getting refunds. Some users even report being called liars by customer service.

Reviewed by

MK
Michal Kaczor
CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

TT
Tymon Terlikiewicz
CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.