Legacy user of Ableton Live experiences frequent reliance, as Live 12.2 updates provide a revitalized experience, addressing Push 3's conspicuous absent feature.
Ableton Live's Game-Changing Update: A Deep Dive into the Improved Auto Filter
In the music production realm, we all have our preferred tools in our Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) of choice. For some, it's a synthesizer shaping every sound or a go-to reverb or compressor that polishes every track in a mix. But for me, it's absolutely the Auto Filter in Ableton Live that has me hooked. And guess what? Ableton has just announced some major updates coming with Live v12.2, set to drop on June 11.
Let's talk about Auto Filter. This not-so-flashy device might not grab your attention like other feature-packed gadgets in Live, but its simplicity and versatility make it an indispensable part of my music-making process. I've tailspinned through over two decades of Live use, and the Auto Filter? Yep, it's the device I revisit most frequently.
From adding subtle modulation to prevent loops feeling too static, to chaining multiple instances to build a custom filter bank, and even automating the cutoff to seamlessly fade sounds in and out of a mix, the Auto Filter is an essential companion in my production journey.
This update could not have come at a better time. Auto Filter's new and improved features not only breathe new life into this humble device but also address long-awaited enhancements that fans have been clamoring for.
The latest Auto Filter expansion features an array of creative filtering options. The existing low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, notch, Morph, and comb filters are joined by a vowel filter, resampling filter, and bi-directional DJ-style filter mode. The Morph filter gains additional slope options, while the notch mode is now accompanied by a notch + LP mode.
Moreover, improvements have been made to the analogue-emulating filter circuits. Auto Filter now boasts a clean SVF model, Sallen-Key inspired MS2, Ladder-style PRD modes, and a new DFM mode that generates a broad range of tones through using internal distortion feedback.
The LFO has seen impressive improvements as well. Upgrades include additional waveshapes, wave morphing, and the inclusion of sidechain functionality with EQ and mono mode. The device now sports an output loudness control to compensate for volume fluctuations, a soft clipping option, and global dry/wet controls. And let's not forget the real-time spectrum visualizer, a nifty addition to its user interface, offering a window into the sounds you're sculpting.
Leave it to Ableton to keep us on our musical toes. The v12.2 update isn't just treating the Auto Filter kid gloves: it's revamping the workflow for editing automation and modulation, removing barriers to accessibility and potentially enhancing the workflow of keyboard shortcut maestros. There are also refinements for the browser, with tweaks to the tagging system and filter view, quick tags editable from a sound's preview tab, and custom icons for library labels.
Live 12 newcomers Meld and Roar have been given some love, with Meld gaining a new Chord oscillator and Scrambler LFO FX, and Roar receiving additional filter and routing options. Live's Resonators and Spectral Resonator can now leverage Scale Awareness functionality. Lastly, Live's beloved FM synth Operator now boasts an increased voice count of up to 32 voices.
The vibe's not just good for Live—Ableton's standalone Push controller is ready to shake things up as well with a fresh OS update, addressing a notable shortcoming in its workflow: Follow Actions. These tools, which automate clip launching behavior, can now be set and edited directly on the hardware, boosting Push's functionality in live performance and studio creativity.
Push also welcomes a 16 Pitches mode, mimicking Ableton's compact Move hardware, and offering an option for melodic playback of Simpler and Drum Rack sounds. There's also a new MPE-ready Expressive Chord Max device, designed for playing single-finger chords with Push (or any other controller).
Last but not least, Push can now access more of Live's native functionality, including the ability to bounce tracks to audio straight from the device, access the Groove Pool, and load tuning systems. Get ready for a whole new Push experience.
Live v12.2 and Push 2.2b9 are currently in public beta and set to release as a free update for Live 12 owners on June 11. For all the deets on the updates, check out the official release notes. Brace yourself for a leap forward in creative possibilities. Happy mixing!
With the upcoming v12.2 update, Ableton Live not only raises the bar for the Auto Filter but also integrates technology and entertainment, transforming the music-making process into an exciting lifestyle experience. The newly added vowel filter, resampling filter, and bi-directional DJ-style filter mode, combined with the LFO's additional waveshapes and sidechain functionality, broaden the horizons of entertainment and music production.
