It’s a big day for music tech powerhouse Ableton
Ableton’s much-lauded Push controller just got an upgrade and so did their Live software. If that’s not enough they’ve just announced Link too, a technology that makes Live software compatible with various third party iOS apps and other versions of Live without the use of any wires.
Push has been given an aesthetic spruce up with a new multi-coloured display for increased functionality, pads have been redesigned and the whole thing has been designed and manufactured in-house for the first time (previous incarnations have been designed in collaboration with Akai). The most notable new function is the ability to cut and tweak samples straight from Live with users also able to load VST instruments from third-party sources and audio units straight to the controller.
The company are also offering current users of Push the opportunity to trade-in their old units for a 30% discount on the new model. Old units will be refurbished and sent to underfunded musical projects for young people which will also be provided with Live for free.
Aside from their new take on Push, Ableton have also introduced Live 9.5. The new version of their production software features improved waveforms and volume controls as well as a set of brand new filters for built-in instruments.
Link, a brand new technology announced by Ableton at their Loop conference this weekend, aims to make Live more compatible with third-party developed apps for iOS. The software will also allow for multiple users of Loop to link together and jam in a similar way to a live band. Ableton have said that they are hoping other developers will adopt and work with the software too.
Live 9.5 is available now as a free upgrade for current users while the Push 2 is on sale for €699.
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Ableton link in action
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The new Ableton push controller