Ableton Forum

In here and on lots of other sitesI`ve read alot about how much people hate the idea of cracked software (me too). But I`ve recently bought a computer from someone second hand and he used Ableton Live. It had been ages since I`d done any programming (I dabbled with cubase at uni but sonce have concetrated on the guitar) but when I started to use it I instantly fell inlove.

Now the moral dilemna. I obviously don`t have the serial security unlock code as he was the one who bought Ableton. At the moment I`m using Ableton live version 4. In terms of upgrades can I buy an upgrade without having bought ableton before. Don`t want to be labelled scum but is my best bet for an upgrade (dare I say it on this of all forums) a crack? I know I knwo I should save up and pay for the whol;e thing and I`m sure that`s what all of you will think. or maybe just stick with what I`ve got.

At the moment, I`m still getting to grips with Version 4 so I`m not in any particular hurry to change this situation but can anyone else understand the dilemna?

On a far more musical issue, I (like many others) am trying to choose a suitable midi controller for me. Not the avoidance of the best word there!) I`m trying to make deepish uptempo house with techno and breakbeat influences. I`ve got Ableton running on a Dell Desktop with 512MB HT running at 3 gHz. The guy who sold me the computer was a producer so he had shed loads of plug-ins, VST`s etc.... From what I`ve read with so much softsynth ability a controller is my best bet rather than paying more for an actual synth. At the moment I`m looking at the Korg MiicroKontrol, M-Audio 02, or maybe the Evolution MK449C. I heard the drum pads on the micrKontrol weren`t that good but I love the idea of having the pads to play. Any ideas on this or have you all got bored of this ludicrously long post already.

If you got this far you w\might as well tell me what you think eh?

Cheers for any feedback
Jules

No-one got an opinion? Or am i being shunned?

stick with version 4... hold off until you learn a bit more... then buy version 5. Without the original serial number you won't be able to follow an upgrade path.

as for cracks... you may just want to avoid asking about that around here.... i certainly wouldn't endorse or recommend that...

as for midi controllers... i have a microkontrol and quite like it.... the pads are ok for hitting out drum patterns.. but generally i use one of my other keyboards if i've got anything "serious" to play, as those mini keys are like a toy keyboards.

good luck... and enjoy your friends live 4 license.

yeah take it for me, mentioning that you do or ever have used a crack is a bad idea. I am currently a legal user of ableton.

though if you try to upgrade on your current computer but you don't have the proper serials from the original owner then you are out of luck.

I would try emailing ableton to see if they can sell you a simple liscence for the software instead of selling you the whole program (if that makes sense)

Jules100 wrote:In here and on lots of other sitesI`ve read alot about how much people hate the idea of cracked software (me too).

Now the moral dilemna. I obviously don`t have the serial security unlock code as he was the one who bought Ableton.

I know I knwo I should save up and pay for the whol;e thing and I`m sure that`s what all of you will think.


The guy who sold me the computer was a producer so he had shed loads of plug-ins, VST`s etc.... From what I`ve read with so much softsynth ability a controller is my best bet rather than paying more for an actual synth.

Cheers for any feedback
Jules

I'm having a hard time figuring out the (me too ) in all this?
I dunno? I think you actually want to pay for it? Why else would you post that you are currently using a copy you didn't pay for? On the company forum?

I used to use cracked software, but really, it's great to actiually be able to get the latest version of something without spending hours searching through Limewire for it.

Nippon is expensive, I imagine you make enough to afford Live, you should buy it. Same applies to the FX and soft synths on the PC, sort through them and pick out the ones you like, then actually purchase them. Nice thing about electronic music is the age thing isn't the same as straight rock, there's no rush to get famous, it could happen at 40 as easily as 20, ( Underworld are a good example of that ), so not having everything right away isn't a bad thing. Personally I sort of went on a buyinmg spree a while ago, and I still don't know my software the way I want to.
Just buy what you need, and leave the crack alone. If you are at the stage where you are asking people on forums for thier advice, it's time.

Cheers for the fedaback. OK definitely not going down the crack road. Quite happy with Ableton4 for the mo. Does any-one know what kind of status I have having bought the computer with Ableton on it. Would Ableton say I should uninstall and buy again?
Will try your idea Johnisfaster to see if there`s some in the middle thing I can do.

I really do like the look of the Kontrol but I think those small keys will annoy me too much. Take me back to the dark days of plinky tiny Yamaha keyboards.

Thinking more of o Novation X49 at the mo (or depending on money the LE25) or the PCR M30. Gonna keep researching for now
Thanx again

Apparently, you can still buy Live 4 for 299$, here:

http://www.ableton.com/index.php?main=shop

Which makes an inexpensive purchase, and that makes a live 5 for 448 $ (!), with the 149$ boxed upgrade.

Jules100 wrote: OK definitely not going down the crack road. Quite happy with Ableton4 for the mo.

OK so here's the deal, if you didn't pay for it, ( you paid for a computer, not the software ), then it's the same as using a crack, Not really much different. I made the mistake a long time ago of thinking that because the guy gave me an install diskete, with no serial number... that it was legit, turned out not to be. Basically, your friend isn't supposed to give you licensed software, period. Take it as a chance to try before you buy, but don't make that into a period of more than a few months, it's just too tempting to keep it, and spend money on hardware. Then Ableton and other software manufacturers suffer for lack of sales.

Does any-one know what kind of status I have having bought the computer with Ableton on it. Would Ableton say I should uninstall and buy again?

Yeah I would guess that's exactly what they would say. Why don't you ask them?

I really do like the look of the Kontrol but I think those small keys will annoy me too much. Take me back to the dark days of plinky tiny Yamaha keyboards.

I agree, and the throw on the mod wheels are too short on the Kontrol 49 IMO.

Thinking more of o Novation X49 at the mo

I bought one, worked throught the weekend to pay for it, well worth it IMO.

surely if the friend sold the application & serial with the computer it now belongs to this chap?

You would need to get the original owner to let ableton know about the transfer of ownership of the serial, then you can upgrade. This is from memory of some abe post or other.

Of course - If this friend of yours is still using his copy & keeping the box, etc ... then you are screwed, you are effectively using one of his installs and that is outside the license agreement.

shop around and buy 5 is what I say, if you are already at the point where you are onsidering an upgrade.

Lots of the M-Audio stuff comes with stripped down versions of Live (& Reason) thjat you can upgrade to the full version. In my case it meant that for the same price of buying Live normally I got Live 5 & a sound card.

Check what version comes with the product. email ableton to ask for the upgrade price.