Ableton
Ableton Live 12.1 is here | What’s New?
Following recent updates to FL Studio, Logic Pro, and Bitwig, Ableton Live joins the trend with significant enhancements to one of the world’s most popular digital audio workstations.
Ableton has just launched the public beta of Live 12.1 version. Here is a round-up of all the new features.
Automation and Modulation Keyboard Workflow
One of the standout features in this update is the new keyboard workflow for automation and modulation. This improvement enhances accessibility and efficiency when working with automation in the Arrangement timeline and the Clip Content Editor’s Envelopes view mode.
Key features of this workflow include:
- Creating and selecting automation breakpoints using the Enter key
- Editing breakpoint values and timing with arrow keys
- Navigating between breakpoints using Tab and arrow key combinations
- Deleting breakpoints with Delete or Backspace
This new workflow also provides spoken feedback for screen reader users, making the software more accessible.
Auto Shift: Real-time Pitch Correction
Auto Shift is a powerful new device available in all Live editions. This monophonic pitch tracking and correction plugin offers:
- Formant shifting capabilities
- Suitability for vocals and other monophonic signals
- MIDI sidechain for polyphonic harmonization
- Two modulation sources: a dedicated vibrato LFO and a multi-purpose LFO
- Support for built-in and user-defined scales
- MPE modulation in MIDI mode
Drum Sampler: Tailored for One-Shot Samples
The new Drum Sampler instrument is designed specifically for playing back one-shot samples within Drum Racks. Its features include:
- Essential sample playback controls (start, length, AHD envelope, transpose, detune)
- Compact filter section with four optimized filters
- Velocity modulation for volume and other parameters
- Ability to set as the default for Drum Racks
Updated Limiter and Saturator
Both the Limiter and Saturator effects have received significant overhauls:
Limiter Improvements:
- Smoother release envelope
- New UI with improved metering
- Mid/Side routing mode
- Continuous Gain Reduction Link parameter
- New modes: Soft Clip and True Peak
- Maximize toggle for controlling dynamic range and loudness
Saturator Enhancements:
- Redesigned main view focusing on essential parameters
- Real-time visualization of signal level
- New Bass Enhancer shaper curve
- Additional Hard Clipping mode for the second stage
- Improved pre-shaper EQ curve display in the expanded view
MIDI Editing and Tools
Several improvements have been made to MIDI editing and manipulation:
Find and Select Notes:
- New option for advanced note selection using various filters
- Ability to create repeated time selections
Chopping MIDI Notes:
- New Chop MIDI Tool in the Transform tab/panel
- Improved workflow for the Chop note operation
MPE MIDI Tools:
- Glissando tool for creating pitch bend envelopes between notes
- LFO tool for setting oscillating envelopes for MPE parameters
Scale Awareness and Groove Features
- Audio clips can now be associated with scales
- Auto Shift becomes the first scale-aware audio effect
- New “Apply Grooves Instantly” feature with auto-loaded grooves for MIDI clips
User Experience Improvements
Several features have been added to enhance the overall user experience:
- Undo History: View and navigate through available undo and redo steps
- Full-Height Browser: Option to extend the browser to the full height of the interface
- Auto Tagging: Automatic tagging for user samples and VST3 plugins
- Accessibility Improvements: Enhanced screen reader support and keyboard navigation
Check out all the release notes of Ableton Live 12.1 here.
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