Live 4 Released at Summer NAMM 2004

Saying so long to Nashville and hello to the new Live, Ableton celebrated the release of Live 4 at Summer NAMM 2004. Demos highlighting Live 4's newly streamlined recording and robust MIDI and virtual instrument hosting became the talk of the town as musicians, press, and the industry crowded the M-Audio pavilion for a first hand look. Daily presentations by CEO and Ableton Co-founder Gerhard Behles showed off Live 4's new MIDI composing abilities as well as fun ideas with Live 4's Simpler sampling instrument.

"We have worked very hard to keep Live simple, fun, and straightforward." Said Gerhard Behles at Ableton's Friday press conference (watch the Live 4 presentation video at harmony-central.com). "With Live 4, we have developed an exciting new approach to MIDI, channel routing, recording, and working with virtual instruments. We are proud to say that even with all of these new features, Live 4 retains the same easy-to-use quality that made Live 1, 2, and 3 a success."

Taking note of Live 4, key music technology aficionado Craig Anderton added, "There are a hundred ways to do MIDI wrong, and Ableton has somehow managed to avoid all of them." Electronic Musician Associate Editor and contributor Geary Yelton and Mix editor George Petersen also agreed that Live 4 was the "The absolute hit of the 2004 Summer NAMM show."

Lead M-Audio clinician Scott Wilkie also demonstrated Live 4's new simplified recording and monitoring features by recording guitar, voice, and a virtual piano on-the-fly with the help of singer/songwriter Alex Kimmell. He then stunned the crowd by simultaneously swinging multiple audio and MIDI clips with Live 4's new Global Groove feature.

Ableton would like to say a huge thank you to the world's press, artists and the fine team of M-Audio product specialists for making this year's Summer NAMM show such a success!

Look for Live 4 in stores later this week, or order your copy now from the Ableton web shop.