3. Live Interface Basics

One of the crowning achievements of Ableton’s software development is the creation of Live’s simple but elegant interface. Only two views are needed to accomplish everything in Live: Session View and Arrangement View. Session View is geared for use in live performance, for loop experimentation, and as a quick multitrack recording sketchpad, while Arrangement View facilitates automation editing, audio and MIDI sequencing, and song arranging. Each subsection of Live’s pared-down interfaces is intuitive and easy to maneuver and contains built-in help to remind you of any on-screen buttons or features that might be unclear in the heat of a mix. Ableton’s Zen-like approach to audio software provides solid relief in a world full of gargantuan multitrack applications that have gaggles of resizable pop-up windows and confusing setup and routing schemes. Instead, Live is a breath of fresh air, boasting streamlined controls with easy-to-read menus and discernible mixer and effect settings. Even with the fog machine blowing and lights down low, Live lets you get into the mix, rather than trying your patience with unnecessary system customization.

In the next few sections, we will break down each section of Live’s two primary landscapes, as well as point out some timesaving ways to maneuver in Live. Later in the chapter, we’ll look at some of Live’s more customizable viewing features, a few pertinent file-saving schemes, and the permanent parts of Live’s screen real estate. Feel free to skip around if you need help in a particular area.