Top 9 Ableton Live 10.1 update new features

As it´s known to many of you, Ableton has released Live 10.1 version, and there are some awesome new upgrades in here we recommend you to check out!

We can start with the new Channel EQ and Delay devices or the option to import any of your wavetables or sample into the Wavetable synth’s oscillator section, and other things we sure have been waiting for a long time, like new navigating options like zooming and scrolling, freezing tracks and more!

Now, let´s take a further look at the brand new devices, features, and improvements of the Ableton 10.1 update.

Something that is very important to have in mind, is that projects that are made or saved in this new version (10.1) are not available to be opened in earlier versions of Live 10, so you will be asked to save a previously existing set under a new name, when saving it in Live 10.1 for the first time.

#1 User wavetables in Wavetables, only available for Suite version

First of all, let me introduce you the User Wavetable Functionality. In Live 10.1 you can simply drag and drop any wave file audio into the Oscillator Section of the Wavetable device.

These wave files can be predetermined wavetables or any wave file audio that is on your computer.

User Wavetables can be used in 2 different modes. Also, when you click the LOW button, the User Wavetable is divided into over a thousand samples which allow for more sonic artifacts and glitch behavior of the Wavetable.

This new functionality, that is great for almost any genre, is one of the best improvements of the software, so far.

#2 Next, let’s see the two brand new Live devices: Channel EQ and Delay

The first device is Channel EQ, which is a flexible yet simple equalizer. It has sweepable mid-frequency control. The low and high settings adapt their EQ curve when boosting or attenuating the audio signal and it has an 80 Hz high-pass filter.

The second new device is called Delay, which combines the previous devices Simple Delay and Ping Pong Delay to one easy-to-use device. There is a Filter section that allows you to filter the delayed signal, 4 different Delay modes, including Ping Pong Delay and Modulation section.

The delay time can be synced to your project tempo, or it can be switched to a time-based mode which allows you to set the delay time in milliseconds.

The left and right delay lines can be linked or unlinked, which allows you to set different delay times for each channel.

#3 Freezing tracks with sidechain compression

Lastly, there is a Freeze button. When activated, this causes the delayed audio signal to endlessly cycle within the Delay device’s buffer.

Live 10.1 has a multitude of new Automation features to enhance your workflow and sound design.

#4 Automation and Modulation shapes

You can insert predefined automation shapes simply by selecting them from the Context menu. It is possible to choose some automation shapes from a predefined list, with right-click you can see them and insert one of the shapes.

The automation shapes can be skewed, compressed and stretched by simply grabbing one of the handles when selecting the automation.

You can also invert automation shapes simply by holding the ALT or Options button and then grabbing one of the automation handles to invert the shape.

If there is an area in the automation with a large number of breakpoints, these breakpoints can be selected, and then, using the Context Menu can be simplified to reduce the total number of them.

In addition to this, when using the Pencil tool to manually draw breakpoints, these two are now simplified to reduce the total number of breakpoints created.

#5 Simplify Envelopes

The total quantity of breakpoints can be reduced by using the new “Simplify Envelope” option (right-click context menu). This will make you edit recorded automation less tedious. Curve-like movements have been simplified into C or S shapes -when it’s possible-.

It is now also possible to add or edit precise breakpoint values within an automation envelope. Simply right-click on a breakpoint, and using the context menu, select Edit Value.

In the Session View, in the Detail View of Clips, there are now separate Automation and Modulation buttons that allow you to view these envelopes respectively.

#6 There are also new keyboard shortcuts and trackpad interactions

• The h key in the Arrangement View allows you to equally distribute the height of tracks across the screen height.
• Pressing the W will allow you to fit the entire song into view.
• Both of these keyboard shortcuts can also be mapped to a MIDI controller.
• Pressing the Z key will zoom any selection made to fit in the available screen space.
• Pressing the X key allows you to zoom out of your selection.
• The +/- keys also allow you to zoom in and out of your arrangement.
• If you hold the ALT or Options button you can also change the track height.
• By pressing the F key, this temporarily shows you the Fade Handles and Clip Fades of Audio Clips.
• When the S key is pressed in the Arrangement View or Session View, the selected track is soloed.
• The U key in the Arrangement View or Session View allows you to fold or unfold selected tracks.
• By holding down the ALT or Options button and then pressing the U key allows you to fold or unfold all tracks.

#7 Now, let’s take a look at freezing tracks, VST plugin compatibility and exporting audio

With this new update, all tracks that contain a Sidechain can now be frozen.

Template 1 now supports the use of VST3 plug-ins as a welcome addition to this update. To activate these plug-ins, you have to open Live’s Preferences -> Plug-ins, and then enable the VST3 folder.

#8 Return and master effects when make exporting

When selecting Export Audio Options, you now can export Send and Master effects. This allows you to export all the steams at once, instead of having to solo track them first and then export one at a time.

This update is available to all Live 10 license holders.

#9 Arrangement zooming and navigation improvements

The Arrangement Overview for both the Session and the Arrangement View are now resizable and Clip colors have been improved.

Live’s new update also introduces trackpad interactions: all zoomable components, including devices, now support pinch to zoom when using a supported trackpad or touchscreen.

And if you´d like to know more about Ableton and it´s different views, and how to utilize them the best way, you can check out our previous article about Ableton arrangement view Explained

Well, this was a little preview of the new updates. In one hand, and as a personal opinion, I see like very positive new functions to the custom wavetables in the Wavetable synth, the new organic automation options, that changes the sound of your music, and the very useful shortcuts and trackpad interactions; and in the other hand, I think it still needs more video features and, if you have an old computer, is very probably that you may have some troubles with your CPU.

That was all. Remember that if you have any question or experience with this new software, just write to us in the comments, we’ll be reading you! And have fun making more music with Live!