Five huge new additions in the upcoming Ableton Live 10.1 update
Ableton Live sees the first major update since the launch of Live 10, introducing custom wavetables, new devices and more.
Ableton Live 10 was a big leap forward for the ever-popular DAW, now it’s time to streamline some of the new features and add some much-needed new additions. Let’s have a look at five of the biggest new improvements in the upcoming Ableton Live 10.1 update…
Custom Wavetables
What’s New:
Ableton Live 10 saw the release of a new synth device called Wavetable, which raised an obvious question of whether we would ever see compatibility for custom user wavetables.
What Does This Mean:
The Ableton Live 10.1 adds the ability to import samples into Wavetable to use as oscillators.
Why This is Great:
Wavetable synthesis is incredibly popular at the moment, with various developers offering soft synths which each have unique capabilities however still share a standardized oscillator framework. This means that you have the ability to use each of those synth’s libraries freely. Now you can load up your favourite Serum wavetables into Ableton’s native wavetable synthesizer.
New Devices
What’s New:
Channel EQ is a new device in Ableton Live 10.1, it’s a simplified EQ that offers more control than EQ Three however not as intensive as EQ Eight. Ping-Pong and Simple Delay have now been combined into a new device called Delay.
What Does This Mean:
Channel EQ is a three-band EQ with a low-shelf, high-shelf and sweepable mid-boost, it’s also got a quick 80hz cut, a simple spectrum and gain control. The new Delay device also adds various new features that weren’t available in Ping-Pong and Simple Delay.
Why This is Great:
The new EQ is great for DJs and Live performers, or producers looking for a more focused EQ for those quick jobs.
Advanced Editing
What’s New:
The new Ableton Live 10.1 update introduces a variety of advanced editing capabilities, from automation shapes to inputting fine values with a keyboard.
What Does This Mean:
Ableton Live 10.1 introduces automation curves, not only do you have the ability to input shapes directly into your automation lane, you can also approximate automation that you have recorded in with MIDI, allowing for much easier editing of fine values and multiple points.
Why This is Great:
I’ve always felt that Ableton needed a bit of a revamp in the advanced editing department, so it’s great to see they’re moving forward there.
GUI & Workflow
What’s New:
The new Ableton Live 10.1 update introduces various visual and workflow improvements, from scrolling and zooming to advanced exporting features.
What Does This Mean:
MacBook Trackpads and other compatible systems can now scroll and zoom the Ableton timeline using gestures, they’ve made the overview window resizable and added various keyboard shortcuts to streamline workflow. There’re even MIDI-mappable zoom functions. Ableton Live 10.1 also introduces the ability to freeze track and maintain their sidechain settings, and bypass/enable return or master effects on track exports.
Why This is Great:
These may seem like small improvements; however, every little bit helps the overall productivity of a DAW.
VST3 Support
What’s New:
Ableton Live 10.1 finally introduces VST3 support
What Does This Mean:
The VST3 platform is far superior to VST2 for various reasons, the newer standard offers multiple audio and MIDI I/O, scalable GUIs and improved performance.
Why This is Great:
This is hopefully the jump that developers need to move over to VST3, much like the big migration from 32bit to 64bit (although maybe not as drastic), these are necessary steps in creating better music creation platforms.
Currently in Public Beta
So Ableton Live 10.1 isn’t actually available publicly yet, unless you sign up for the Ableton Public Beta program, you can do so here.
For more information on the upcoming update check out the Ableton website.
