Who's using Ableton Live 5?

Discussion in 'Recording Gear and Equipment [BG]' started by winston, Dec 9, 2005.

  1. winston

    winston Supporting Member

    May 2, 2000
    East Bay, CA
    Just wondering...I have the free version of Live that came with my M-Audio soundcard. I've been hearing a lot about Live 5, thought it was too expensive for me. Just got an email from Ableton saying I can upgrade to Live 5 for $150 off of retail. Now the wheels are a-turnin'...I'm getting into looping/sampling, this seems one of the bast ways to do it in realtime.
     
  2. I use it, I love it, but I'm using Sonar 5 PE a lot more these days. I'm in multitrack mode rather than loop mode, though Live 5 can do both, there are some things that Sonar does better.
    I also upgraded from the Live Lite that came with MAudio. It's a good deal and a great program. I say, what are you waiting for?
     
  3. Correlli

    Correlli

    Apr 2, 2004
    Wellington, NZ
    I'm using the demo version at the moment. I like the intuitive layout and the help facilities. I also read that Live integrates seamlessly with Reason software.

    It seems as though I will go with M Audio Live and Reason config.
     
  4. D.A.R.K.

    D.A.R.K. Supporting Member

    Aug 20, 2003
    Virginia
    it's my favorite instrument (besides bass)
    my group all use live...4 laptops and live bass.
    i use live as my fx processor/looper, sampler, sequencer for audio and video live. i also use it to create and arrange for records...
    final mixes are usually done in logic or pro tools, but sometimes all in live.
    imho, best software ever.
    funny, i just posted about it in another thread.
    check the link below(302acid)
    to see and hear what we do
    cheers
    d
     
  5. winston

    winston Supporting Member

    May 2, 2000
    East Bay, CA
    Cool, yeah, I'm starting to get into playing with DJs and samplers and it seems like it would be fit right in to that...syncing loops to MIDI and other peoples' rigs in realtime. Just curious about what hardware (computer, specs, soundcard) and the latency you get. I'll check out your link...
     
  6. D.A.R.K.

    D.A.R.K. Supporting Member

    Aug 20, 2003
    Virginia
    i'm using a pair of mac powerbooks, one with live, one with modul8(video,synched via midi and controlled by live)
    controllers are behringer bcr200 for knobs/buttons,
    and a behringer fcb1010 foot controller.
    for ultra-low latency i use an edirol fa-101 at 24/96k,
    easily 2ms in/ 4ms out, 192sample buffer, even lower although i'm a bit nervous about artifacts(none at this setting)...also capable of 192k, 1ms in/ 3ms out at 192 sample buffer, possibly lower, although lots of cpu needed.(i also run vsti's, and trigger samples, so it's usually not192k, although as a dedicated looper it would be fine.
    without using playthrough, the latency is actually not noticeable in creating/ triggering loops.
    this is a firewire unit...with units which are pcmcia-slot(direct buss)
    like the rme stuff, latency is even lower. with my old computer, my echo i/o card(pcmcia) did 3ms in/3ms out at a 256sample buffer.(no midi porton this unit, though).i currently use the midi port on the edirol to connect the foot controller, nothing else needed, ableton recognizes it. you configure your audio interface and midi input in preferences easily. the edirol is not cheap, around $500.00 u.s. for some in-depth analysis, go to ableton.com and do a search on the forums....lots of info! great forum, too...unmoderated, very open.
    cheers
    doug
     
  7. Another Live user here.
     
  8. werebunny

    werebunny

    Aug 30, 2005
    Yep, me too - hoping to get a laptop of some description and integrate it live.
     
  9. I'm also a Live5 user.

    D.A.R.K. - fabulous music by the way. I just bought Even Calls from ShopSonic. It's really great! I'm a big fan of bands like Plaid, Four Tet, mu-ziq, Boards of Canada etc. and your stuff is right up my street. Please let me know if/when you get back to the UK and I'll make a point of coming to listen!

    I like how you're using the bass samples as well. Very neat!

    All the best,
    Mike
     
  10. D.A.R.K.

    D.A.R.K. Supporting Member

    Aug 20, 2003
    Virginia
    thanks for the support mks!
    we're working on our next release, should be out in may.
    if we're lucky, we'll hit the big chill again....
    really lucky, and we'll hit the glastonbury debacle.
    we'll see...
    cheers
    doug
     
  11. D.A.R.K.

    D.A.R.K. Supporting Member

    Aug 20, 2003
    Virginia
    well, thought i'd add this. a show i put together.
    if you're interested in ableton and live in the dc met. area,
    you might want to check this out, all live users.
    surprising how many of us are also bass players!
    liveposter2.gif
    cheers
    doug
     
  12. chrisp2u

    chrisp2u Supporting Member

    Aug 15, 2005
    Buffalo, NY
    Live is definitely cool. I've been using it since version 1 and they keep making it better and better. Upgraded to 5 a few months back but haven't really had the time to dig into it yet. So far, very cool though.

    Great tool for inspiration, composition, improvisation and more.

    Doug, how's that KS7 treatin' you? I FINALLY got around to getting the nut fixed on the Stammie last week. Had a fine luthier in the area throw another ebony nut on there... however he made it using cross-laminates so it *should* hold up much better. I love playing that thing.
    ---
    Chris
     
  13. D.A.R.K.

    D.A.R.K. Supporting Member

    Aug 20, 2003
    Virginia
    hi chrisp!
    loving the smith7, it's pretty unreal...
    had to adjust my muting technique, but it's working itself out the more i play. i'm actually going to have the bass modded a bit...
    after using the high f for a bit, i've decided to go with my original intent and have the nut cut and the bass outfitted with a low f#.
    i'm looking for a local luthier to do this an a touch of fretwork,
    hopefully i'll find someone asap.(ken doesn't believe in doing a low f#.....i disagree, as this won't be my first)...
    i won't be using it at the show, though, since sets are so short(20 min.)
    but i will be running my ns 5 string eub through live, and warping it out to some heavy drum n' bass grooves.
    glad that stammie is working out for you, i miss having a fretless bg
    something firece!
    cheers
    doug