Hi. I love this site. Looks like some great resources for learning.
I bought Cubase 5 Studio a few weeks ago. I really wanted Logic Pro, but couldn’t afford the proper Mac hardware.
I’ve always loved trance and deep house music, even though I make my living as a professional musician playing music far removed from those styles. Up until now, I was always frustrated at what seemed to be only a smattering of learning resources for how to create dance music styles. And then of course, each DAW has its own learning curve. So if someone teaches on one DAW, it might not always translate to another.
Anyway, I said all that to ask this: It appears that all of the instructors at Sonic Academy are using Ableton Live for their tutorials. And by the way, the feel is really nice. Super tight. So which version do I need in order to work all of the Sonic Academy tutorials? Could I purchase the “regular” version as a download? That would be great because it would be the cheapest way to go. It appears the only difference between the download and the boxed version is the Essential Instrument Collection which doesn’t come with the download. Also, is there any need for the Ableton Suite? I’m really not all that interested in the Ableton instruments. I’d rather budget that money for Sylenth and Nexxus.
So to summarize, could I purchase the Ableton Live 8 “regular” version as a download and have the necessary resources to work all of the Sonic Academy tutorials?
Thanks!
You only need Ableton. You don’t need to get the suite and all that jazz. I use Ableton with Sylenth pretty much and that’s it. Just buy the regular downloadable version and you’ll be good to go…
Raymond
Thanks, bro.
Sorry Raymond to disagree with you, but I have a slightly different opinion. When I purchased Logic, I got the express version. I always regretted not spending the extra cash on Logic Pro, so when I decided to get Ableton Live, I went with the “Suite” version. I think it is one of the best decisions I made in music production. Now… the good thing about Ableton, is that even if you get the Regular Ableton Live version, you can still purchase the instruments at a later date for extra money, but I would go with Suite still. Any article or book you read will tell you that each synth, whether it be soft or hard, sounds different. Many will tell you that all you need is the instruments that are included with the Suite version. I say…to each his own. I personally use a few different synths. Operator (which is an amazing FM synth), Sylenth, Albino 3, and minimoog. If I want an organ or piano, I stick with the NI plugins, but thats about it. Everything sounds different. Here’s my advice. Download the suite version and play with that and only that. No plugins. You will find that you can make just about anything with what comes with it. Not to mention that the APC40 has preset mapping just for those instruments (SCORE!!!).
In the end, I would say get the suite. Try it first to make sure, but I would still get it. Learn to use just one synth. Master it, then move on to another. You will be able to acheive a broader array of sounds with a few synths.
Do what I have done and purchase live 8 suite on a educational license for £290 You really need to have Sampler as a minimum I would say. Be warned that the boxed version requires an additional 50gb of harddrive space!
To be honest though I would stick with cubase and use your money on afew synths like the others say.
Hold on guys, don’t give bad info. Logic and Logic Express are almost two differen’t programs in the functionality due to the crippling effects of express. The only thing that you get in addition to Ableton when you buy the suite is the Ableton instruments, the functionality is still the same unless your trying to compare to Ableton Lite, which would be closer to your Logic and Logic Express analogy(lite only allowing a certain number of tracks etc etc). None the less, Ableton comes with Simpler without buying the suite, which is a sampler. IF you plan on acquiring your own synths, then I feel it is a complete waste to fork out the extra money for the ones that Ableton has. All in all, if you find that you want a certain Ableton instrument in the end, then you can always go back and purchase it. Or just upgrade to the suite later on at a still reduced price. Hope this helps!
Raymond 
Howie, I do completely understand what you are saying though. As I used to do the same thing to try and save a buck, and then it would piss me off when the one damn function I need isn’t available because I’m not using the full version. I completely agree with you on that front, partna! It’s just that Ableton loses no functionality until you get into the lite version… to me it’s added money for a collection of unnecessary instruments. Like you said though, it depends on what you like to use. Didn’t want you to think I was poo pooing what you were saying! I just think the question that was trying to be answered is, “do i NEED to buy the suite?” more than “should”…
Raymond
No, I completely understand, but in all honesty, you have everything you need to create music with in the Ableton Suite. You’re right, you don’t lose functionality at all by going with the Live version, but I know a producer named Francis Preve. All he uses is Ableton Suite and the instruments included in Suite. All I’m saying is that its all you need. But you can always get Live and buy the instruments individually.
Agreed!
Raymond
falls over
