Ableton Forum

Hi,
I've been using Ableton Live 9 Lite for a couple of months and trying to justify the upgrade standard or suite. Negating price, sound packs (which I can install VSTs for, etc) what are the real day in day out benefits of the more advanced programmes that you've found most useful. I use it more for the arrangement workflow (closer to logic/cubase/etc) than for the session grid.

Any input would be much appreciated beyond what is already advertised on ableton's website comparison.

Thanks, brief outline of my workflow below, thoughts?

I predominately record in guitar/bass/hard ware synths (audio to midi function isn't really a selling point as I can play set a track to midi).
Apologies I have intro (and not lite).
I primarily use arrangement view like a 'traditional' DAW and switch session for the strip mixer of tracks.
I tend to add effects to each individual track as opposed to sends, with the aim being the exported track at the end rather than any sort of live performance using the session grid.
I use the MIDI editor quite a bit.
I feel there is a limitation by not having EQ 8 but cant put a price tag of the £199 upgrade to standard on that alone.

RableNova wrote: I feel there is a limitation by not having EQ 8 but cant put a price tag of the £199 upgrade to standard on that alone.

Certainly not a reason: TDR Nova

RableNova wrote: I predominately record in guitar/bass/hard ware synths

So is 16 tracks and 8 scenes enough for you?

What keeps me at Suite is Sampler, Electric and Max For Live with audio effects live Convolution Reverb, Magnetic and others. Intro wouldn't work for me for a number of reasons.

I also use External Instrument every day, occasionally sliced audio. There's also packs that are not available for Intro, that I want to use, though these are quite few. Of the native effects I use these: Filter Delay, Gate, Amp, Dynamic Tube, Cabinet, Saturator, EQ8 of course and the Resonators. Not all of these are in Standard. Check here.

I haven't yet need to use more, but I imagine when I routinely feel limited by 16 tracks that impact on my creativity I will definitely upgrade.
But its more so at this stage, not allowing for the more obvious benefits ( extra tracks, a few extra instruments, a few more effects), is the jump worth it and noticeable?
>I suppose its quite subjective!
Does having the extra features improve your output?

RableNova wrote: Does having the extra features improve your output?

I can't say as I was never on any other version. I got Suite at once.

I can say, that because of bussing and parallel processing — whihc I view as vital for making modern tracks no matter the style — I could never make do with only 16 tracks, 2 return tracks nor with only 8 scenes.

As for what makes me productive it's making choices now. If it was the wrong choice I can go back or learn for the next song.

Unlimited tracks and scenes is the most useful.

RableNova wrote:Hi,
I've been using Ableton Live 9 Lite for a couple of months and trying to justify the upgrade standard or suite. Negating price, sound packs (which I can install VSTs for, etc) what are the real day in day out benefits of the more advanced programmes that you've found most useful. I use it more for the arrangement workflow (closer to logic/cubase/etc) than for the session grid.

Any input would be much appreciated beyond what is already advertised on ableton's website comparison.

I particularly like Ableton's audio effects such as the Glue, EQ8, Saturator.

M4L also has some gems such as a cool Pitch drop effect.


Also Unlimited tracks would probably be nice not having to worry about staying under a track limit.

Most Ableton synths I can live without. Operator is pretty cool though.

I rarely need Sampler as Simpler is pretty powerful for most basic tasks.

I'd say these reasons:
Glue
Corpus on my kick
EQ8 (could not live without it)
Cabinet on EPianos
Tension (capable of some very wild sounds)
MAX

peace