Ableton Live 13 hands-on: ARA 2, Drum Synth, new effects, more

Ableton Live 13 is now in limited public beta. That includes a lot of what you’ve asked for, like multi-band Racks, overhauled preset navigation, and ARA 2 support for tools like Melodyne. And it’s packed with new goodies: a very Ableton step sequencer, a multi-engine Drum Synth with some nice twists, new effects, a new ambient looper, and more. Also, I know some of you will like this: no mention of AI. It’s like we just get to talk about music-making tools again.

Productions gone live, as Jlin joins Third Coast Percussion on “Vernacular”

If today is a day to celebrate good things happening in the USA, you better also be listening to the epic collaboration between Jlin and Chicago’s Third Coast Percussion. That puts the Gary, Indiana-born Jerrilynn Patton (Jlin) right up alongside Philip Glass and David Longstreth, where frankly, she totally belongs. And it’s touring.

Peter Kirn - November 4, 2026

Push Hack, very unauthorized access to Push 3’s display, files, MIDI, and more

If you don’t like unauthorized hacking, this isn’t for you. If you don’t like things built with AI-assisted coding agents, this isn’t for you. But if you’re up for a very unofficial hack that gives you full takeover access to Push 3’s display, drives, MIDI, and more, Federico Pepe has just unveiled Push Hack. Here’s […]

Peter Kirn - August 3, 2026

Ableton Live and Push can now run on Linux, unofficially

Peter Kirn - July 15, 2026

Turn Ableton Push 3 into a single expressive percussive surface, free

Peter Kirn - June 15, 2026

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

Peter Kirn - May 4, 2026

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

Peter Kirn - November 28, 2025

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

Peter Kirn - September 30, 2025

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

Peter Kirn - July 25, 2025