Ableton has announced Live 13 and opened a public beta ahead of a full release in early 2027. The new version adds a Step Sequencer, a native Drum Synth, Multiband and Mid-Side Racks, 32 Macros that can also work as modulators, and ARA 2 support.
The Step Sequencer gives each row its own length and playback settings, with per-step control over velocity, chance, repeat and pitch bend. Ableton pairs it with Drum Synth, a new percussion instrument with classic drum machine, physically modelled and experimental engines, so users can build and sequence drum parts inside Live’s own devices.
Live 13 also expands Rack building and mix control. Multiband Racks can target separate frequency ranges, Mid-Side Racks let users process the centre and sides of the stereo field separately, and Round Robin cycles notes through chains in Instrument and MIDI Effect Racks. Other workflow additions include Capture Automation, Contextual Browsing, Device Slots in the mixer, and Envelope Clips for automation and modulation on Return tracks, including per-scene parameter changes in Session View.
ARA 2 support means compatible plug-ins such as Melodyne can work directly inside Live for pitch, timing and audio editing without first recording audio into the plug-in. Live 13 Suite also bundles Melodyne Essential and adds new devices including Looplet, Clipper, Transient Shaper and the Classic Dynamics & EQ Pack by Softube.
Push 3 is getting a parallel update with Custom Layouts, a Performance Mixer designed for DJ sets and dub-style improvisation, and Step Sequencer control on the pads with Expressive Step Editing. Ableton is also adding jog wheel navigation through nested Rack chains in Device Mode, plus first-time access to Drum Rack returns and pad routings on Push. Until Live 13 arrives, Live 12 licences and upgrades are 20% off, matching Live 12 purchases include a free upgrade to the equivalent Live 13 edition, and Push 3, Move and the Push Upgrade Kit are discounted until 30 November.
