DeafMan transforms Ableton Live with custom colors, interactive editor

DeafMan’s creations for Ableton Live have evolved from a selection of cool retro themes to a vast library of complete color makeovers — a “visual system.” And there’s an insanely powerful new editor for managing themes, tweaking colors, creating customizations, and assigning color to tracks. It’s more than just customization: it’s a way of thinking about your workspace and music in hues and shades.*

Ableton has a rare flash sale with 25% off for a week, including upgrades

Ableton tends to discount its products only a couple of times a year, so this flash sale is worth noting. They’re offering 25% off Live 12 Suite and Standard, upgrades, and all Packs, now through Wednesday, April 29. So if you’ve fallen behind on Live versions, or been eyeing those Max for Live Devices I’m constantly writing up, here’s your chance. Let’s refresh our brains on what’s in the upgrades.

Peter Kirn - April 23, 2026

A new free Live tool from Robert Henke lets you grab short sounds easily

Quick! Your modular/synth/contact mic/pot-and-pan is making amazing sounds, and you want to capture them for fast 1-shots/drum racks. And you hate the tedious editing/naming admin! Robert Henke’s new Sample Capture is for you — and it’s free, for Ableton Live 12 and Max for Live.

Peter Kirn - December 5, 2025

These retro and SGI-inspired Ableton Live themes will make you smile

Peter Kirn - July 12, 2025

Robert Henke’s Granulator III update for Live 12 expands modulation powers

Peter Kirn - May 22, 2024

Remake Live 12 with retro refinement: updated workstation, ultra-dark themes

Peter Kirn - May 20, 2024

Performance Pack for Ableton Live 12 now has a video manual

Peter Kirn - January 11, 2024

Live 12 will have an interactive companion site exploring tuning

Peter Kirn - November 23, 2023

Ableton Live 12: a guide to everything that’s new

Peter Kirn - November 14, 2023