Play together with Ableton Live: how Circle of Live sets up for improvisation

“It’s okay to not have a plan — it’s okay to just jump and see what happens”: Circle of Live is an event that brings together artists for spontaneous improvised performance. Ableton filmed Clark, Rival Consoles, Sebastian Mullaert, and the organizers at a recent event. Here’s what we can learn from how they work (plus some more Circle of Live selections).

Black Friday: pimp my Live with the best add-ons

Ableton Live 12.3 is out of beta; it’s time to liven up your Live setup (plus Ableton Move and Push and Novation Circuit Tracks). Black Friday deals have these at the lowest prices you’ll see all year, so if you’re stocking up for winter or holiday breaks, we’ve got you. These are tools to solve some problems, add some inspiration, and even just make your Live setup look better.

Peter Kirn - November 28, 2025

Guide: Get started patching in Max for Live with abl Objects

You know Max for Live can help you create your own instruments and effects in Ableton Live — but you’ve got to take the first step. Max 9’s addition of ABL objects gives you a huge leg up, unlocking Ableton’s own DSP building blocks in ready-to-mod form. Let’s dive straight in, because this is both an easy entry point for absolute beginners and a toolset that’s useful to experienced patchers, too.

Peter Kirn - September 30, 2025

Lush, warm Juno-style 6-voice for Ableton Live: Monomono Maya

Peter Kirn - July 25, 2025

Live round-up: 12.2 is out, vids, a free Grain Slicer Rack, tuner, and more

Peter Kirn - June 12, 2025

Push:Euclidean Mode brings generative grooves to Ableton hardware

Peter Kirn - June 5, 2025

Live 12.2: hands-on guide to Meld, Roar, Auto Filter, workflow updates, more

Peter Kirn - March 12, 2025

Free Manifest Audio Percotone is a delicious percussive monosynth

Peter Kirn - December 25, 2024

The best Black Friday deals in music tech right now

Peter Kirn - November 29, 2024