Ableton has announced Live 13, the next major version of its music production software. The full release is planned for early 2027, and a public beta is open now, the company said on 10 November 2026.

ARA 2 support and a new Step Sequencer

The headline change is ARA 2 support, which lets users work with compatible plug-ins directly inside Live for pitch and timing edits, without leaving the software. Live 13 Suite includes Melodyne Essential for precise audio tuning and timing. Live 13 also adds a Step Sequencer for building MIDI patterns, with independent row lengths and playback settings for evolving polyrhythms, plus per-step velocity, chance, repeat and pitch bend.

New instruments, racks and mixing tools

Other additions include Drum Synth for designing percussion, Capture Automation for turning knob movements into editable automation, and expanded Racks with up to 32 Macros that can also work as modulators. Multiband and Mid-Side Racks let users process specific frequency ranges, or the centre and sides of the stereo field, separately. Live Suite also gains Clipper and Transient Shaper effects, and a Max for Live device called Looplet that layers and loops parts of a single sample.

Push 3 gets an update alongside Live 13, with Custom Layouts, a Performance Mixer and a new Step Sequencer on the hardware. Ableton is discounting all Live 12 editions by 20% until Live 13 launches, and anyone who buys Live 12 now will receive a free upgrade to the matching Live 13 edition. Sound on Sound has the full list of new features.