Ableton Live 11 Intro (DOWNLOAD)

General

This is the entry-level version of one of the most popular and rightfully dominant performance-focussed DAWs on the planet. Ableton Live 11 Intro might be a more stripped down version, but offers anyone that doesn't need all the bells, whistles, and fuss that comes with the full version, the same super-smooth timeline-style interface, clip-based real-time production technique, and traditional multi-track sequencing. Create entire tracks and full productions, and build clips from MIDI notes and set them on a loop. Combine this package with one of the many Ableton hardware controllers and you essentially have a dynamic and tactile, gig-ready software-based instrument for playing and triggering clips in real-time.

What's new in Ableton Live 11 Intro

Since is the Intro version, it doesn't comes with quite as many tweaks and additions as the Suite, but you do get access to upgrades including Comping, where you can record a specific section on a loop and pick out the best take later. But, one of the most essential new features has to be the added MPE, or MIDI Polyphonic Expression support. MPE finally overcomes the limits that have existed since MIDI was first introduced, and is able to apply the range of expression to a single note that could only previously be applied to the entire MIDI track - including pitch-bend. While there aren't that many keyboards out there that are able to do this just yet, more are on the way, and since Ableton 11 is likely to be around for a few years yet, it's definitely worth having.

Producing with Ableton Live

Of course, there's been some tweaking and bug fixing, and this edition definitely gives beginner producers more than enough to play with for a relatively small investment. While the power the design and work with your own sounds is provided, you also get access to 5GB of loops and samples. And, if the included samples aren't quite hitting the tempo you're looking for, then the loop speed can be set - in real-time, and for laying on effects, both VST and AU support is provided for any of your go-to plug-ins.