As MacCentral previously reported, Ableton’s Live 3 sequencing software for Mac OS X, Mac OS 9 and various flavors of Windows is due this month. The company recently noted that the drop date for the new version of the audio tool is October 10.
Designed for real-time audio sequencing and recording using audio loops, what sets Ableton’s Live apart from other sequencing software is the developer’s emphasis on making the software useable as an instrument during live performances. Musicians and DJs can use Live to launch loops and sound effects on the fly, improvise song arrangements, drop samples on cue and more.
Live has previously enabled users to change pitch and tempo of loops, manage beat-matching and other techniques. The new version now allows users to change individual notes and specific parts of samples, too, so you can modify volume, pitch and pan effects inside “clip envelopes.” You can also mute or attenuate notes in a sample, modulate samples with effects, scramble beats and much more.
A demo version of Live 3 is already available for download from the Web site.
The new version will cost US$399; upgrades from Live 1.x and 2.x will be available and users who bought Live 2.x after August 1, 2003 are eligible for a free upgrade.