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.

Mangle everything: modulated mayhem in circuit-bent Sinevibes Malfunction v3

This is why you get intimate with code, line by line. Artemiy at Sinevibes obsessed over details, breaking a filter model by rewiring its internal connections — and now, with v3, giving it precise modulation in a wide variety of shapes. Now, like kids kicking over a sandcastle, we can take that handiwork and apply it to total, absolute destruction.

Peter Kirn - October 30, 2026

XEN FX LAB: sequel to Zen Delay adds tweakable spring tank, dub mode

XEN FX LAB is a follow-up to a software hit (and hardware, before that), adding a modeled spring reverb, strike for “knocking” the virtual tank, and a dub button for adding dub-style throws, plus significant performance optimizations all round. And yeah, it’s time for more wild drones and dubs and echoes and the lot. macOS, Windows; VST3, AU, standalone; also on iOS.

Peter Kirn - October 29, 2026

NI’s new Massive XL is nicely overstuffed but easier to morph, mutate, and play

Peter Kirn - October 27, 2026

Arturia’s new MiniFreak 49 synth is tactile, exploration-friendly: tested

Peter Kirn - October 20, 2026

Time-bending, granular-powered HyperWarp: hands-on, free pack

Peter Kirn - October 6, 2026

Lucid slices, stretches, and scrubs sound like no other granular FX

Peter Kirn - August 19, 2026

otophon is a plug-in to play tones inside your head

Peter Kirn - August 14, 2026

Impactor, Rupture 2 by Rawton Forge are perfect percussion synths for Live

Peter Kirn - July 31, 2026