Ableton Extensions will let you code your own tools and actions for Live

You run up against a limitation in Ableton Live, or you’ve got a creative idea. What if you could make it happen using code? That’s the Ableton Extension SDK, out in public beta now (JavaScript, TypeScript, Node.js). And just like that, we’ve got Live with handy new workflows, opening up scores, connecting to the Web, and playing games. Here’s what it means, and what it can and can’t do (so far).

Link Audio, now in Max, Pd, VCV Rack, TouchDesigner, oF, and plug-ins, free

Ableton Live 12.4 is inbound, with Link Audio support coming to Live, Move, Note, and Push. But Live Audio can also be about routing audio over a network to other hosts, too. Julien Bayle (VOID) has an early, open-source implementation. If you’re ready to start experimenting even while this API is still in alpha, you’ve got a wide variety of sound and visual tools to try, all for free.

Peter Kirn - May 3, 2026

Find whole worlds inside samples: Baby Audio Grainferno deep dive

Per-grain processing, automatic pitch controls, drag-and-drop modulation, and audio-rate oscillations — Grainferno proves there are still unexplored frontiers in granular synthesis and hand-crafted DSP. It’s addictive to add the synth to projects, drag in sounds, and see what you can discover.

Peter Kirn - March 11, 2026

Here’s Laurie Spiegel introducing Music Mouse in the 1980s

Peter Kirn - February 16, 2026

FL on the Web: hands-on, Image-Line tells us what it all means

Peter Kirn - December 22, 2025

Open Steinberg: VST3 and ASIO SDKs now have open source licenses

Peter Kirn - October 29, 2025

Daedelus and Takuma Matsui talk Tinge, a painterly color wheel arpeggiator

Peter Kirn - September 13, 2025

Faircamp lets you put sound, podcasts, and music on your own site

Peter Kirn - August 21, 2025

Apple at WWDC on accessibility, inclusion – music devs, tune in

Peter Kirn - June 10, 2025