It seems like just yesterday Ableton released its way improved Live 4, including a pretty deep suite of virtual instruments…seemingly completing the ultimate composition and production “instrument”.

Well, if their preview announcement for Live 5 is any indication, they have upped the ante considerably with an even tighter DAW integration, including clip “freezing” and better overall CPU usage, and new additions to their set of instruments, including an updated version of Simpler and FINALLY…and arpeggiator! I have looked quite a while now for an intuitive, fully integrated software arpeggiator within reach of someone like me.

For a price of 499.00 USD, it comes in a bit steep, however if it delivers what’s promised, it may worth the investment, if nothing else, for live performance.

We’ll see how it measures up…Coming in July.