Ableton Live
UnclaimedCreate, produce, and perform music with innovative tools for MIDI, sound design, and live performance.
Visit WebsiteReviews onTrustRadius
7 reviews tracked·1 press mentionThe Bottom Line
Entry price
Paid plans only
Biggest pro
Encourages creative experimentation with new MIDI tools and instruments.
Biggest con
Can have a steep learning curve for beginners due to its depth and features.
TL;DR - Ableton Live
- Comprehensive DAW for music creation, production, and live performance.
- Features advanced MIDI tools, new instruments like Meld, and powerful effects like Roar.
- Supports flexible tuning systems and MPE for expressive control.
Pricing: Paid only
Best for: Enterprises & pros
4.3/5 across review platforms
What is Ableton Live?
Ableton Live is a comprehensive digital audio workstation (DAW) designed for music creation, production, and live performance. It offers a unique workflow that allows musicians, producers, and sound designers to freely experiment with ideas, compose, record, arrange, mix, and master their music. Live provides a rich set of instruments, effects, and creative tools, including advanced MIDI manipulation, granular synthesis, and a versatile saturation device.
The software is ideal for a wide range of users, from aspiring bedroom producers to professional artists performing on stage. Its intuitive interface and powerful features encourage experimentation and help users find their unique sound. Key benefits include the ability to quickly generate musical ideas, explore diverse tuning systems, and sculpt sounds with high-quality instruments and effects, all within a flexible and dynamic environment.
Available on: Web, Windows, macOS
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Encourages creative experimentation with new MIDI tools and instruments.
- Offers powerful sound design capabilities with Meld, Roar, and Granulator III.
- Flexible workflow suitable for both studio production and live performance.
- Supports microtonal and alternative tuning systems for diverse musical expression.
- Regular updates introduce significant new features and improvements.
Cons
- Can have a steep learning curve for beginners due to its depth and features.
- Requires a significant financial investment as it is a paid software.
- System requirements might be demanding for older computers, especially with complex projects.
Ratings Across the Web
4.3(7 reviews)
Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more
Preview
Key Features
MIDI Transformations (add ornaments, articulations, curves, strum effects)MIDI Generators (conjure melodies, chords, rhythms with constraints)Max for Live Transformations and Generators for deeper MIDI controlSupport for various tuning systems (beyond 12-tone equal temperament)Keys and Scales feature to stay in key or sync devicesEnhanced MIDI editing (split/chop notes, join notes, fill time ranges, Note Utilities panel)Flexible modulation (adjust modulated parameters with LFO, Shaper, Envelope Follower)Meld MPE-capable synthesizer with dual oscillators and extensive modulation matrix
Pricing Plans
Pricing checked Jun 21, 2026
Max for Live
$149
Max for Live Crossgrade
$79
Reviews
$99Free with your review
Write a reviewReview Ableton Live, get a free AI guide
Share your experience and we will send you Improve Your Thinking Patterns Using ChatGPT, free.
4.3/5
Across 7 verified user reviews on TrustRadius
Add your hands-on experience using the offer above to help the next buyer.
Best Ableton Live Alternatives
Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.
Logic ProPaid
The ultimate music creation experience for Mac and iPad with extensive instruments and effects.
FL StudioPaid
Create, mix, and master professional-quality music with a complete digital audio workstation.
Studio OneFreemium
Create, record, mix, and master your music with an intuitive, all-in-one DAW.
CubasePaid
Create, record, mix, and master music with a powerful digital audio workstation.
Still deciding?
Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.
Explore More
Ableton Live FAQ
How does Ableton Live facilitate creative experimentation in music production?
Ableton Live encourages creative experimentation through new MIDI tools and instruments, alongside powerful sound design capabilities offered by features like Meld, Roar, and Granulator III. Its flexible workflow allows users to freely experiment with ideas, compose, record, and arrange music dynamically.
What kind of user or team is Ableton Live best suited for?
Ableton Live is ideal for a wide range of users, from aspiring bedroom producers to professional artists performing on stage. Its intuitive interface and powerful features encourage experimentation, making it suitable for musicians, producers, and sound designers seeking to find their unique sound.
How does Ableton Live compare to Logic Pro for music production?
Ableton Live offers a unique workflow that is highly flexible for both studio production and live performance, encouraging creative experimentation with new MIDI tools and instruments. While Logic Pro is another comprehensive DAW, Ableton Live particularly stands out for its dynamic environment and support for microtonal and alternative tuning systems.
Can Ableton Live be used for live musical performances?
Yes, Ableton Live is specifically designed with a flexible workflow suitable for both studio production and live performance. It provides innovative tools that enable musicians to create, produce, and perform music effectively on stage.
What are the main limitations a new user might encounter with Ableton Live?
New users might experience a steep learning curve with Ableton Live due to its depth and extensive features. Additionally, it requires a significant financial investment as it is a paid software, and complex projects might demand robust system requirements.
How is Ableton Live priced?
Ableton Live is offered as a paid product, meaning there is no permanently free tier available for its use. Users are required to make a financial investment to access its comprehensive features and tools.
Does Ableton Live support diverse tuning systems for musical expression?
Yes, Ableton Live supports microtonal and alternative tuning systems, allowing for diverse musical expression. This feature enables users to explore and implement different scales and tunings in their compositions.
Source: ableton.com