OVERVIEW
Ableton's full production suite combines Ableton Live 7 with a complete collection of Ableton instruments in a consistent workflow. This is the most complete production package Ableton has to offer - everything you need for the entire musical process - from creation to production to performance. This versatile program has proven to be the top choice amongst Lab customers and even our employees for production, remixing, DJing, and live performance.


FEATURES
Ableton Suite features Ableton Live 7, Sampler, Operator, Electric, Analog, Tension, Drum Machine, the Essential Instrument Collection 2 and Session Drums.

Ableton Live 7
Ableton Live 7 represents the new generation of production programs that works equally well for complex songs, quick remixes, djing, live performances, and more. The major feature of Ableton is that most actions occur in real time, allowing for spontaneous, flowing music production. In addition, you can change pitches and tempo on the fly, an excellent feature for sample based production, remixing, and live performances. Live 7 renews the core of Live for overall better sound and performance as well as many new features that make Ableton even more versatile.

NEW FEATURES AND ENHANCEMENTS IN VERSION 7.0
- enhanced audio engine improves fidelity with 64-bit mix summing,
POW-r dithering, optimized sample-rate conversion and other
advances
- new Compressor device integrates three compression models, one
of which is based on a feedback design commonly found in the most
praised vintage compressors
- fully integrated side-chaining capability is available for the new
Compressor, as well as Gate and Auto Filter
- high-Quality modes have been added to Operator, Dynamic Tube and
Saturator for anti-aliased processing and reduction of typical
"digital" artifacts
- EQ Eight has an improved user interface and a 64 bit mode for
increased accuracy
- new Spectrum analyzer provides visual feedback for any audio
signals within Live
- MIDI engine has been reworked to minimize timing error (jitter)
of recorded MIDI
- hardware integration has been streamlined - hardware synthesizers and effects can now be inserted into device chains just like software
plug-ins
- new memory management technology allows users of large sample
libraries, such as Ableton's new sampled instruments or third-party
libraries imported via Sampler, to run an impressive number of
instruments at the same time. This happens automatically, with no
setup changes required
- new audio and MIDI fact sheets explain exactly how signals are (or
are not) being modified when using specific features in Live and
provide tips for achieving the highest quality results
- time signature changes can be inserted in the Arrangement timeline
and tied to Session scenes
- warped and unwarped video can be exported to files
- multiple automation lanes per track can be displayed and edited at
the same time
- new "tempo nudge" function makes it easier to synchronize to live
musicians or DJs
- REX files can be dragged, dropped and played just like WAV or AIFF
files
- new DRUM RACK feature streamlines beat production via an easy
drag-and-drop interface and brings endless creative possibilities
- every drum pad can have its own Sampler, Simpler, Operator, or any other virtual instrument or plug-in, and its own individual effects chain

Sampler
Sampler is a sampling instrument that brings powerful multisample playback and import, as well as profound sound design capabilities to Ableton Live.

Operator
Operator is a frequency modulation synthesizer that delivers an eclectic spectrum of sonic possibilities and musical inspiration.

Electric
Electric offers the sounds of classic electric pianos through physical modeling synthesis, allowing you to dive inside and play with the guts of the instrument.

Tension
Tension is a physical modeling string synthesizer capable of creating incredibly accurate reproductions of real stringed instruments or otherworldly hybrids.

Analog
Analog emulates the unique circuitry and irresistible tweakability of vintage analog synthesizers. Able to produce everything from silky pad sweeps to earth-shaking bass.

Drum Machines
Drum Machines offers a choice selection of classic drum machines, meticulously sampled to faithfully reproduce the original sounds.

Session Drums
Session Drums is a meticulously multisampled library of acoustic drums that reproduces the nuances of a recording session and puts you in the engineer's seat.

Essential Instrument Collection 2
A choice selection of acoustic and electric pianos, guitars, bass, drums, orchestral instruments and more.

OUR OPINION
This is the ultimate package for anyone that wants to get the most out of Ableton. With all the included instruments and plug-ins, you can really take your productions and performances to the next level, even if you do not have a studio full of analog synths and drum machines. It is also an incredible value considering how much power and how many tools are included. Recommended.

- completely real-time audio/MIDI production - compose, record, arrange and mix without ever hitting the Stop button
- multitrack recording up to 32-bit/192kHz
- complete nondestructive editing with unlimited undo
- powerful and creative MIDI sequencing of software and hardware instruments
- real-time time-stretching and warping of AIFF, WAV, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC and MP3 files, for improvisation and instant remixing
- comprehensive selection of built-in audio effects, including a host of creative delays, filters, distortions, studio compressors and EQs
- built-in software instruments: Simpler for creative sample-based synthesis, Impulse for sampled drums
- instrument-, Drum-, Effect Racks for creating and managing complex performance setups, drum kits and multi-effects
- VST and AU effects and instruments support; automatic plug-in delay compensation
- REX file support and native sliced audio file creation
- video import and export for scoring to picture or warping picture to music
- real-time control of parameters with any MIDI controller - just MIDI-map it or choose from a list of popular supported controllers for instant mapping
- full ReWire support
- single-screen user interface for simple, creativity-focused operation
- multicore and multiprocessor support

- Ableton Live 7, Sampler, Operator, Electric, Analog, Tension, Drum Machine, the Essential Instrument Collection 2 and Session Drums
- extensive step by step tutorials

REQUIREMENTS
- Ableton Suite requires 44 GB of hard drive space
- Mac: Any G4 or faster (Intel Mac recommended), 512 MB RAM (1 GB recommended), Mac OS X 10.3.9 (10.4 or later recommended), QuickTime 6.5 or higher, DVD-ROM drive
- Windows: 1.5 GHz CPU or faster, 512 MB RAM (1 GB recommended), Windows XP or Windows Vista, Windows compatible sound card (ASIO driver support recommended), QuickTime 6.5 or higher, DVD-ROM drive

• manufacturer's website

reviewed by the mgmnt