Update: Looks like Ableton is also releasing a new version this morning, Live 8.3. It’s available now for download to folks who already own a copy of Live 8. What’s new?
Improvements and feature changes:
- A new “Upload to SoundCloud” option is available in the Export Audio/Video dialog. When enabled, Live will open an upload client after the file has been rendered to disk, so you can upload the rendered file directly to your SoundCloud account.
- Added automatic software updating. When enabled, Live will automatically download and install software updates in the background. Users who update to Live 8.3 from an older Live version will see a dialog box when launching Live 8.3 for the first time, where Automatic Updates can be enabled or disabled. You can always change the settings in Live’s “Licenses/Maintenance” Preferences. More detailed information about Automatic Updates is available in our Knowledge Base.
- Changed the naming of the Live application. The application is now called “Ableton Live 8” and does not include a specific revision number. The revision number can still be found in the About screen in the Help menu.
- The Windows installer has been updated to a newer version.
- The default installation path of the Live application has changed on Windows. More information can be found in our Knowledge Base.
- Added usage data collection. When enabled, Live will send data about your Live installation and usage to ableton.com. This data will be used to help our developers identify bugs and improve the software. Usage data collection is optional and can be enabled/disabled in the “Licenses/Maintenance” Preferences. More information can be found in our Knowledge Base.
- Added control surface support for Akai MPK Mini.
Bugfixes:
- Fixed a crash that could occur when modulating a parameter in the Corpus device with Max for Live.
- Fixed crashes and audio dropouts that could occur when hot-swapping through AAS instruments.
- Fixed a crash that could occur when undoing the deletion of the last warp marker in an audio clip.
Additionally, we received this press release early this morning – interesting and sensible partnership going on between two industry giants, Soundcloud and Ableton! Plus, who doesn’t love free stuff?
ANNOUNCING ABLETON’S COOPERATION WITH SOUNDCLOUD, GIFTS FOR USERS AND CONTEST
Berlin, Germany, April 2, 2012
Ableton is celebrating the start of its cooperation with SoundCloud, the world‘s leading social sound platform, with a great gift for its users.
Gifts for Current Users and New Customers
All current Ableton Live 8 and Suite 8 users receive a free 5 month SoundCloud Pro account and can now upload directly to SoundCloud from within Live. Users who purchase or upgrade to Live 8 or Suite 8 before May 31, 2012 will also get 5 months of SoundCloud Pro for free. This premium account includes 36 hours of storage, unlimited downloads, advanced statistics and sharing options and is valued at EUR 145 / USD 190 for 5 months. All SoundCloud users receive a free license for Ableton Live Lite, the intuitive way to create, produce and perform music.
Beat the Clock: The Contest Begins May 14
In addition, from May 14 through May 28, Ableton and SoundCloud will hold the Beat the Clock contest. Atmospheric pop specialists M83, indie electronic stars Junior Boys and eclectic Los Angeles beat maker Nosaj Thing will provide a Live Pack of samples and sounds to be used to create an original piece of music. The catch: participants must work against the clock and submit their entries within 24 hours after downloading the Live Pack. SoundCloud and Live users will vote for their favorites entries, with the top 25 then judged by the three artists who will pick the ultimate winner. Participants can win a trip to Berlin, lifetime upgrades to Ableton Suite, 5 years of a SoundCloud Pro Plus account and other valuable prizes.
Ableton + SoundCloud
With their new collaboration, the two Berlin-based companies aim to enable richer and more direct interaction amongst producers, musicians and listeners. Users of any version of Ableton Live 8 – Lite, Intro, Live and Suite – can now upload their tracks directly to SoundCloud, thus a vast community of discerning listeners is just one click away. This direct connection to SoundCloud is sure to enrich Live users‘ music-making experience not only through the valuable listener feedback they will receive on their uploaded tracks, but also through the ability to find and connect with other like-minded musicians and producers. Ultimately, the cooperation between Ableton and SoundCloud will let more music makers get their creations heard and expose music lovers to fresh new sounds.
About Ableton
Ableton makes Ableton Live, a unique product for writing, recording and performing music with a computer. Since the company started in 1999, Ableton has attracted an extensive and highly committed community of musicians, composers and DJs worldwide.
The company has received outstanding press, awards and customer feedback since the unveiling of Live in October 2001. The company headquarters are located in Berlin, and there is an additional office in New York City. Ableton currently has about 130 employees.
www.ableton.comAbout Ableton Live
Ableton Live is software for making music; for composition, songwriting, recording, production, remixing and live performance. Live‘s nonlinear, intuitive flow, alongside powerful real-time editing and flexible performance options, make it a unique studio tool and a favorite with live performers. Ableton Live is the choice for those who would rather be “making music” than just “using music software.”
About SoundCloud
SoundCloud, launched in 2008 by Alexander Ljung and Eric Wahlforss, is a social sound platform that lets anyone create, record, promote and share their sounds on the web, in a simple, accessible and feature-rich way. SoundCloud allows sound creators to instantly record audio; upload original content; share them publicly and privately; embed sound across websites and blogs; receive detailed analytics, plus feedback from the community directly onto the waveform player. For more information go to: www.soundcloud.com