At the end of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Willy Wonka says “You know what happens to the boy who suddenly got everything he ever wanted?” (or something to that effect) “He lived happily ever after.” There’s nothing like a software upgrade that gives you just what you asked for. Live 1.5 is one of those upgrades.
Ableton has taken their innovative software, which basically takes multitrack audio mixing and turns it into a live, sampling instrument you can use to record improvisations or in live performance, and fixed just the right things. 1.5, which will be available as a free download April 1, adds ReWire sync/slave, allowing easy integration with other music software like Digital Performer and Reason, MIDI sync master/client, unlimited external control via MIDI controller boxes, render-to-disk for audio export, reverb simulator, localization of menus, and improved CPU use. I’ll be posting a review soon — or if you’re in NYC, you’ll be able to see Live and my PowerBook performing (what else) live.
