One of the questions I frequently get is from people wanting to know why I use Ableton Live. It’s a completely understandable question. There is so much great software available today. If you want to start using loops or start recording there is no better time than now to get going. Your options are limitless. I’ve worked first hand with Reason, Logic, Garageband, and of course Live. I have a lot of friends that swear by ProTools and for recording and mixing it’s definitely the industry standard. I’ve worked with Live for over 7 years and made it through the good times and bad, worked with version after version, and update after update. Here are some of the reasons I’ve decided to stick with Live and make it my DAW of choice.
I can play WITH loops, not just TO loops
Hands down this is the number one reason Live is my software of choice. There is no other software on the market that allows you to “perform” with pre-recorded content like Live does. I have total freedom to go where I want to go when I want and I can craft my arrangement the way I want to. With Live I get to treat loops like another instrument in the band and Live allows me to play WITH loops, not just TO loops.
A Plugin and Rewire Host
When I’m creating loops or playing keys/synths live I’m typically using a few plugins and instruments out of Reason. Live works as a great “host” for plugins (VST and AU) and Reason instruments. Using midi and Instrument racks I can combine Live’s devices, VST’s, and Reason instruments to create unique instruments. Live allows me to blend unique sounds together, making velocity and octave assignments to create instruments that respond in different ways depending how you play them.
Working with MIDI is a breeze
Do you have a midi keyboard? Do you own Live? Have a few fingers? Plug them in, press midi mode and assign away. Select what function you want to assign, turn a knob or press a key on your keyboard and BAM – it’s assigned. It’s a long leap from the early days of racks of computers and having to understand the inner workings of midi. This makes playing keys live, layering sounds and controlling VSTs and instruments incredibly easy and enjoyable. Spend less time figuring it out and just do it.
I can transcribe and learn parts
I remember in the past using software and VSTs to slow down audio to learn guitar/piano parts and to transcribe charts/vocals. I now do this just using Live. I can slow down a song without altering the pitch and learn the song lick for lick.Anyone can learn even the most complex song; it just may take a bit longer to learn it. I’m constantly frustrated that my ear isn’t as good as others and it takes me longer to learn licks than other people. But, I can throw anything into Live and after a few minutes I’ve got it down.
Its great for Recording
I’ve recorded tons of songs, demos, and projects. Live isn’t built to be a software for tracking full-on projects but it can hold it’s own very well. I’ve tracked quite a few projects and demos over the years ranging from full bands to just myself singing with an acoustic. Live’s worked like a champ and with each update of Live mixing is getting better and better. The only problems recording/mixing in Live come from my ability (or lack thereof) to mix!
It’s incredibly easy to use
Live is a very intuitive software. I often tell people that once you learn the language in which the software uses to communicate with itself everything else will be a breeze. I like Live because it’s an easy program to learn and get going with right away. Learn the way Live communicates and start cranking away at it now.
I’m comfortable with it
This is one of the most under-acknowledged reasons for using software. I know a lot of people that use software other than Live just because they know it well and they are comfortable with it. A few of them are slowly starting to make the transition over to using Live. I’ve worked with Live for over 7 years and I’m just really comfortable with it. I know where to go to do what I need to and can move around the software quickly. Probably most importantly of all, when I step on stage I know I can trust it.
It turns out I’m not alone in my decision. The website Synthtopia just wrapped up a poll of the best DAW’s in the world and Live was chosen as the best DAW. Granted…It won with only one percent more votes than Fruity Loops, but it still won!
These are only a few reasons that I use Ableton Live as my DAW of choice.
Do you use Ableton Live? Why have you made the choice? If you’ve got another DAW of choice, why have you picked it? Let me know by leaving a comment below.
About the Author: Will Doggett is a guitarist, worship leader and wanna-be DJ based out of NC. He spends most of his time running and blogging for Loops in Worship, as well as creating custom loops. You can reach him by email at will@loopsinworship.com and find him on Twitter @willdoggett
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