Any day in which Ableton makes the headlines is a good day. The German DAW has finally launched an app to keep pace with similar sampler apps like Koala and full production apps like G-Stomper. There are a thousand similar offerings (and Ableton Live DJing courses) out there. What makes Ableton Note different?
Ableton knows DJs (and DJs know Ableton)
Ableton has spend nearly 20 years getting to know DJs. That connection will not be lost on the millions of upcoming DJ-producers looking for a sampler app to drop their next six bucks on. The credibility and clout that Ableton offers alone is enough to encourage a rapid uptake. After all, if the desktop version of Ableton works so well for live electronic performers, how hard can v1 of the app fail? Probably a safe bet.
Start on the app, continue on the DAW
Export stems and MIDI files for import into a DAW? Nope. The Ableton Live app is designed to make the transition from sofa to studio easy and uniform. From the company site: “Play just for fun, or start song ideas to continue in Live. Using Ableton Cloud, you can send your Note Set to Live without leaving the app. Then keep working with all the same devices as in Note, but with additional parameters available. You can edit all your MIDI notes, and all your samples and sounds from Note are exactly the same.”
The DJ format you know and love
Session view has always been what makes Ableton stand apart. Ableton Note offers the same grid-based layout you know and love from the DAW, making the switch easier than learning a new app. This, more than the no-brainer affordability (currently $6) makes the barrier to uptake lower than any other app available today.
Honestly, it’s been nearly a decade of waiting for Ableton to enter the mobile space. TouchAble took us halfway there, allowing for wireless triggering of a Live session. But having the OGs of live electronic performance release their own app is a total win for both established DJs and newcomers to the space. Brush up on your Ableton Live DJing with this Ableton Live course, and keep your ears open for more on Ableton Note.