Ableton AG is a German company that makes and sells the music software Ableton Live, along with related instruments, sound samples, and their own hardware controller called Ableton Push. The company has an office in the Prenzlauer Berg district of Berlin, Germany, and another office in Pasadena, California.
History
Ableton was created in 1999 by Gerhard Behles, Robert Henke, and Bernd Roggendorf. Henke and Behles formed a music group called Monolake. Before founding Ableton, Behles worked on a type of sound technology called granular synthesis for Native Instruments' Reaktor. He also used a special computer system called a Silicon Graphics workstation at Technische Universität Berlin. In 2001, Ableton released its first commercial software called Live. Behles continues to serve as the chief executive officer of Ableton.
In March 2007, Ableton began working with Cycling '74, the company that makes Max/MSP. This partnership did not focus on Live or Max/MSP directly but combined the strengths of both companies to create a new product.
In January 2009, Ableton and Cycling '74 introduced a product called "Max for Live." This tool allows users to create Max/MSP software tools directly within Live. These tools function like other software tools in Live, including saving settings, adjusting controls, and other features. Users can design both hardware-related tools and custom actions that control all parts of Live, such as anything that can be selected with a mouse.
Ableton hosts music production workshops and seminars to teach people how to use their software. They also license trainers who are officially certified by Ableton.
In April 2015, Ableton released a hardcover book titled Making Music: 74 Creative Strategies for Electronic Music Producers. The book was written by Dennis DeSantis, who works as the Head of Documentation at Ableton and previously designed sounds for Native Instruments. The book is divided into three main sections: Problems of Beginning, Problems of Progressing, and Problems of Finishing. It focuses on non-technical challenges in music creation. While the book includes images of Ableton Live, the information is not limited to Live alone.
In June 2017, Ableton purchased Cycling '74, the company that develops Max/MSP and its version called Max for Live.
Products
Ableton Live is a software used for making and playing music. It is now in its twelfth version. There are three main versions of the software: Live 12 Standard (the basic version for creating and performing music), Live 12 Suite (includes additional tools like Max for Live, more instruments, effects, and samples), and Live 12 Intro (a simpler version with some limitations on tracks and effects). Live Lite is another version that comes with certain hardware and applications. Ableton Live works with many USB and MIDI controllers, as well as physical and virtual instruments.
In March 2013, Ableton released the Push controller for Live 9 with Akai Professional. This device allows users to control most parts of the software, such as playing notes, arranging music, and activating clips using a 64-pad grid.
In November 2015, Ableton introduced the second version of Push, called Ableton Push 2. This version includes a built-in screen and improved compatibility with Live software.
In May 2023, Ableton released Push 3 in two forms. The tethered version connects to a computer via USB to control Live. The standalone version has its own processor, battery, and hard drive, allowing it to run Live independently or act as a controller.
Move is a portable, four-track music-making device that integrates with Ableton Live. It was released in October 2024.
Note is a mobile app that works with Ableton Live. It was released in October 2022 and provides a free version of Ableton Live Lite to users who purchase it.