Before using Ableton Live to run a click, tracks, and lighting and lyrics automation in worship, you’re going to need some gear in place to utilize the power of this amazing software. The following is a list of hardware and software you will need. I will cover the following.
To me, using Ableton on Windows or Mac didn't make a difference. The latency with a Fireface UCX was a bit better on the Mac. What I'd be careful with is the thermal design of the laptop, in particular if it is small and light. The question is if cooling is sufficient to allow sustained maximum CPU performance.
- Sound system requirements
- Recommended computer for running Ableton
- Media storage
- Which version of Ableton Live you should buy
- Gear and software for lyric automation ProPresenter
- Gear and software for lighting automation with myDMX 3.0
This may seem like a lot! If you are new to leading worship with Ableton, focus on acquiring the gear and software in steps 1-4. If you are willing to commit the time to learning Ableton for worship and you enroll in my upcoming training, you will learn everything you need to know in only a few hours and you'll become an Ableton ninja!
1. Sound System Requirements
Sound console. Have a sound console (digital or analog) with at least two available input channels for your click track and backing tracks.
In-ear monitoring. Your band members need to be able to hear the click track. You do not want to send the click track through floor wedges. At the very least, I recommend having in-ear monitoring for the drummer and worship leader. If your band does not have in-ear monitoring, do not despair. Check out this article on how to get them set up at your church even on a low budget.
How to connect your laptop (which runs Ableton) to your sound system. You’ll need a 3.5 mm TRS to Dual 1/4 inch TS Stereo Breakout Cable. The 3.5mm end goes into the headphone jack of your laptop. The dual ¼ inch end of the cable will plug into a stereo DI box (or two mono DI boxes). From the DI box, you’ll run XLR cables to your stage snake or sound console (like you would any other microphone or instrument)
2. Computer Recommendation
Use a fairly new MacBook Air or MacBook Pro. You can run Ableton Live on PC, but I recommend Mac because Ableton runs 10x better on Mac (like every other creative software) and you will be able to maximize my training. You do not need the biggest, high-performing, overpriced MacBook Pro. Make sure it’s not more than a few years old, and it meets the tech specs Ableton has on their website.
3. Multitrack and Ableton Project File Storage
You'll learn quickly that using Ableton Live to run your multitracks requires a fairly large amount of file storage and management. I highly recommend buying an external hard drive that has the sole purpose of storing your Ableton Live sessions and multitrack stems. Solid state hard drives are becoming more affordable, so buy one of those if you can. If not, a regular external hard drive (at least 500GB) will suffice.
4. Selecting the right version of Ableton Live
The exciting part is you do not need to purchase Ableton Live to begin using it. At ableton.com you can download a 30-day free trial of the Ableton Live Suite. They give you 100% functionality of the software. Personally, I recommend Ableton Live Standard because it gives you unlimited tracks. But you can still make the most out of Ableton Live for worship with the Intro version. You will just need to consolidate your tracks to 16 or less.
Those are all the gear and software requirements to get going with Ableton Live to run a click and tracks. I would master this setup before advancing to production automation described below.
Here are additional things you will need to automate lyrics in ProPresenter and lighting with MyDMX3.0. Can you automate other presentation and lighting software with Ableton Live? Yes but I have not researched or learned how to do it. This level of Ableton Live programming is pretty advanced, and I have only spent time learning how to do it with ProPresenter and MyDMX 3.0. I highly recommend these two pieces of software for any small to mid-sized church. Together they will run just under $900, but the automation capability you will have for lyrics and lighting is incredible.
5. Gear and software to automate lyrics and video
A newer Mac to run ProPresenter - ProPresenter is significantly more stable on Mac and in my training I can walk you through how to control ProPresenter from Ableton Live using a Mac-only ecosystem.
ProPresenter - As I mentioned, this is the #1 presentation software for worship. It’s not perfect, but it is super powerful and can receive MIDI commands, which is how you automate it with Ableton Live. If you do not have ProPresenter, you can download it in trial mode and try out all the features. There will be a watermark on the output screen until you purchase it.
ProPresenter MIDI module - This is an add-on to ProPresenter that allows it to accept MIDI cues. You can fully demo this add-on before purchasing. You’ll have the ProPresenter watermark on your screen until you do purchase it.
Wifi Router - You can use an existing wifi network or create a new one by purchasing an inexpensive router. You need wifi so you can network your Ableton computer to your ProPresenter and Lighting computers.
6. Gear and software to automate lighting
A newer Mac to run Lighting software - You could run your lighting software on the same computer as ProPresenter, just make sure it is a newer and powerful Mac to ensure stability. At my church, we have a 2016 15” MacBook Pro running ProPresenter and MyDMX 3.0.
MyDMX 3.0 Controller and Software - This is hands down my favorite way to run lights in a church setting. The controller is a small USB to DMX interface. The lite version of the software comes free with the controller.
MyDMX 3.0 Software Upgrade - To utilize the MIDI functionality on MyDMX 3.0 you must purchase the FULL version of the software.
Wifi Router - You can use an existing wifi network or create a new one by purchasing an inexpensive router. You need wifi so you can network your Ableton computer to your ProPresenter and Lighting computers.
That is all of the gear I use to run Ableton Live for worship. That may seem like a lot at first, and it can be a bit overwhelming if you are new to this setup. I would encourage you to start first with the click and tracks set up. Once you feel like you’ve mastered that, then up your game with production automation.
Do you want to know exactly how much this will cost? You’ll want to download my Lead Worship with Ableton Toolkit for just that. It’s a detailed spreadsheet that will give you estimated totals for all of this software and gear. It also includes links to the best place to purchase them. It will save you a ton of time making sure you have everything you need to get going with Ableton Live.
Click the button below, complete the form, and I’ll send you instant access to the Lead Worship with Ableton Toolkit.
Whether you are a seasoned music producer, looking to get mobile with your performance, or just starting out creating music on the computer, finding the best laptop for Ableton Live can help your creative process.
The first recorded music on a computer was on a Ferranti Mark 1, which was one of the first commercially available computers of its time. Nicknamed “The Baby,” this mainframe took up an entire room. In 1951, Christopher Strachey, a mathematics professor from Manchester, England, wrote a program that played a synthesized version of “God Save the Queen” and “Baa Baa Black Sheep.”
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Computer generated music has come a long way since then. In the early 1980s, Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) revolutionized the way computers and synthesizers talked to each other, ushering in an age of computer-generated music.
In 2001, Ableton released Ableton Live. This software ushered in another revolution, pushing the envelope of music creation even further. It is now used around the world, helping artists create new music right on their computers.
Image via Pixabay
Before we can talk about the best laptop for Ableton Live, you need to know what to look for. Here are a few things you need to know to find the best laptop for Ableton Live.
Ableton Live is software that allows you to create as well as perform music. This program includes music effects, sampling, instruments, and more.
Ableton Live 10 runs on either Windows or Mac-based operating systems.
For Windows computers, the minimum specs for Ableton Live 10 are Windows 7, 8, or 10; a 64-bit Intel or AMD multi-core processor; and 4 Gigabytes (GB) of memory.
While these are the minimum specifications to run Ableton, the company recommends at least 8 GB of RAM and Intel Core i5 processor or faster.
To run Ableton on a Mac, you need OS X 10.11.6 or later with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor or better and at least 4 GB of RAM. However, Ableton recommends an Intel i5 processor or better as well as at least 8 GB or more of RAM.
What to consider when choosing a computer for Ableton Live?
Picking the best laptop for Ableton depends a lot having the right components as well as your personal preferences. When choosing the best laptop for Ableton, it is a good idea to determine your needs and budget. You should also take the time to learn what components are integral to your Ableton needs and why.
The central processing unit (CPU) is the brains of a computer. The CPU processes the data when you are editing tracks on Ableton. In general, you want to buy the most powerful processor your budget allows.
If you are buying a Mac, you will be choosing from a variety of Intel-based chips. Intel chips you can find in Mac laptops like the MacBook Pro and MacBook Pro Air are going to be Intel i5 and above. These processors will work well with Ableton.
If you want a PC laptop, you have more options, as you can find good laptops running Intel and AMD chips. What side you take in the Intel and AMD wars is up to you. If you are unsure which is better for your needs, check out Tech Radar’s guide to AMD vs. Intel.
In general, stick with an Intel i5 or above processor or an AMD Ryzen 5 or above for AMD.
There are two types of long term storage on laptops: hard drive or solid state drives. Hard drives have two magnetically sensitive disks read by a moving metal arm. Conversely, solid state drives have no moving parts.
In general, hard drives are cheaper with a larger storage capacity than solid state drives. However, hard drives are also heavier and slower than solid state drives. They also run hotter than solid state drives.
Solid state drives are faster and more energy-efficient than hard drives. When choosing the best laptop for Ableton, while a solid state drive is not essential, it is definitely worth the investment.
Random Access Memory or RAM is your computer’s working memory. Ableton Live 10 requires at least four GB of RAM. When it comes to audio production, the more RAM you have, the better. When trying to find the best laptop for Ableton, always buy the computer that has as much RAM as your budget allows.
The processor, hard drive, and RAM are all essential and fairly universal components to consider when choosing the best laptop for Ableton Live. There are also a few other components that you may want to consider, depending on your needs and preferences.
Most laptops come with displays between 13-inches and 17-inches. In general, smaller screens will be more affordable than larger ones. Also, larger screens tend to be heavier though there are ultra-portable, large screen laptops that are quite light and thin.
If you are using Ableton Live mainly at home or in the studio, and portability isn’t a factor, a large screen may be helpful as it allows you to see more of the screen at any given time. However, if you often perform in live settings with Ableton, a smaller, more portable laptop may be better.
Another thing to consider if you perform live with Ableton is screen brightness and clarity. If you play live, be sure to choose a laptop with a display that is bright without glare issues, mainly if you tend to perform with other audio and lighting gear.
When choosing the best laptop for Ableton, think about what peripherals, if any, you may need. Be sure to consider gear you may need during production as well as any equipment you may need while performing. Ensure that whatever laptop you choose has the appropriate ports for your peripherals.
To find the best laptop for Ableton Live, we looked at a variety of laptops recommended by audio engineers and enthusiasts, as well as other top-rated laptops that exceeded specifications. From there, we took a look at what professionals had to say about each computer. Finally, we checked to see what consumers had to say about each laptop, in particular about audio production quality where available.
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Since everyone’s budget is different, we looked for the best laptop in a variety of different price points. The laptops on our list range in price from $545 to $2,400 online.
Here are our top picks for the best laptop for Ableton Live.
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Apple computers and laptops are a favorite amongst creatives for their power and sleek design.
The MacBook Pro comes in several configurations, but the one we recommend boasts a powerful 2.6 GigaHertz (GHz) Intel i7 processor, 15-inch screen, and 16 GB of RAM.
You can find the MacBook Pro online for between $2,200 and $2,400 at Best Buy, Guitar Center, and B&H Photo.
Website CNET gives the MacBook Pro a score of 8.2 out of 10 stars, giving it high marks across the board, especially for performance. However, CNET does note that the MacBook Pro only has USB-C ports which may be a strike against it, depending on your needs. CNET also notes that performance and style come at a high price.
Laptop Mag also gave the MacBook Pro high marks, with a score of 4.0 out of 5 stars. The magazine had the same observations as CNET, loving the overall feel and performance of the MacBook Pro but taking issue with the lack of USB-A connections.
The power behind the MacBook Pro makes it a long-time favorite of audio professionals. The laptop is on both TechRadar and the Best DJ Gear websites as an essential laptop for aspiring and professional DJs and other audio creatives.
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Dell XPS 13
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The Dell XPS 13 is a top-rated, Windows-based PC, packing the power to run Ableton Live in a small, portable package. This laptop comes in a variety of configurations which you can customize on the Dell website.
Best Mac To Use With Ableton Mac
The 13.3-inch, Intel i7 1.8 GHz processor, with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB solid state drive gives you a sturdy machine for running Ableton without breaking the bank. This configuration is available for between $1,200 and $1,350 at Best Buy, Newegg, and Amazon.
The Dell XPS 13 gets excellent reviews from professional reviewers. Laptop Mag gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars, giving it points for its good looks and excellent battery life. However, Laptop Mag did notice that the Dell XPS 13 does not have a USB-A port, which may be problematic if you have gear that uses USB-A.
Similarly, CNET also gave the Dell XPS 13 high marks, giving a score of 8.4 out of 10 stars. CNET liked that the laptop was robust with an excellent cooling system and also noted the fingerprint reader. However, CNET was less than impressed that the Dell XPS 13’s touch screen is not standard and also noted the abundance of USB-C ports.
Amazon customers also like the Dell XPS 13, giving it 3.8 out of 5 stars. The majority of the reviews like the Dell XPS 13, giving it high marks for power and overall value. However, critical reviews complain about various issues but mostly about Dell customer service.
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MacBook Air
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Apple’s other entry on this list is the MacBook Air. The MacBook Air is more affordable than the higher-end MacBook Pro but is still a favorite among creatives. True to its name, the MacBook Air is quite light, weighing under 3 pounds, with a 13-inch screen.
Its small size belies its power. The MacBook Air boasts an Intel i5 processor with an 8 GB and a 128 GB SSD drive. Other configurations can upgrade the RAM to 16 GB and the storage up to 1.5 Terabytes.
You can purchase the MacBook Air online for between $900 and $1,500, depending on the configuration. Places that you can find the MacBook Air include the Apple website, Best Buy, and Amazon.
The Apple MacBook Air gets excellent reviews from professionals. CNET gives the Apple MacBook Air an 8.1 out of 10 star rating. Overall, CNET liked the Air’s portability and good battery life. However, like other Apple products, CNET noted that it was quite expensive and also had a limited number of ports.
On a thread in the Ableton forums, one user pointed out that they use the MacBook Air with Ableton Live and it runs smoothly. However, this same user also cautions against using the MacBook Air if you have other equipment to run with Ableton.
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ASUS ZenBook
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The ASUS Zenbook is a laptop with a lot of value. The ASUS Zenbook has a 14-inch screen with an Intel i.7 processor, 16 GB of RAM, and a 512 GB SSD. With these specs, Ableton is sure to run smoothly.
You can find the ASUS Zenbook online for between $1,200 and $1,550. It is available for purchase at PC Nation, Staples, and Amazon.
The ASUS Zenbook gets excellent reviews from professionals. Laptop Mag gives it a 4.0 out of 5 star rating for its compact and durable design. As a bonus for audiophiles, Laptop Mag also gives it a thumbs up for good speakers. On the downside, it does not have great battery life and has a dim display.
Ableton users also seem to like the ASUS Zenbook, getting at least one thumbs up in this Reddit thread. Users on the audio professional website Gear Slutz gave the ASUS Zenbook approval for use with Ableton.
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Acer Aspire E
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If you are just starting out in your music hobby, finding a budget way to use Ableton is probably very important. While many of the candidates for the best laptop for Ableton Live start in the low $1,000 range, the Acer Aspire E is an exception.
The Acer Aspire E is the not-so-little laptop that can still be a great audio production tool. This 15-inch laptop has an Intel i5 processor, capable of up to 3.4 GHz speeds, with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB SSD. However, at a price of between $550 and $600 online at Amazon and Walmart, it is just a fraction of the cost of other laptops on this list.
Laptop Mag gives the Acer Aspire E a 4.0 out of 5 star rating. It gave the Acer Aspire E high marks for performance and available ports, as well as its overall value. However, Laptop Mag also did point out that the Aspire E is bulky and riddled with bloatware.
Amazon customers love the Acer Aspire E, giving it a 4.0 out of 5 star score with 749 customer reviews. Positive reviews like the computer overall, with one review calling it a “fantastic machine at an affordable price.” Critical reviews complain of problems with the display and lack of support.
13 Instruments to try (including Wavetable, Operator, Sampler, Analog and more). 56 Effects for processing audio and MIDI (including Echo, Pedal, Beat Repeat, Amp, Vocoder, Glue and lots more). Max for Live so you have access to a range of instruments, effects and customizations created by the Live community.Installation on a Windows PCUnzip the file and run setup.msi. Then open Live and follow the instructions there.If you want to uninstall the trial at any point,.Using Live 9?You can install the trial next to Live 9. Instant mappings so you can use Live with your keyboards or controller. Ableton impulse download full.
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Microsoft Surface Pro
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For audio engineers that want some flexibility with their Ableton laptop, the Microsoft Surface Pro may be a good fit. The Microsoft Surface Pro is a 2-in-1 tablet and notebook, with the base offering running an Intel i5 processor, with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB SSD. You can also find configurations with 16 GB of RAM and up to a 1.5 TB SSD.
You can find the Microsoft Surface Pro online with 8GB of RAM and a 256 GB SSD for between $1,150 and $1,250 at Adorama, B&H Photo, Best Buy, and Amazon.
CNET gives the Microsoft Surface Pro 4.5 out of 5 stars. In particular, the website likes the portability as well as performance and battery life on the Surface Pro. Unfortunately, CNET did not like the lack of USB-C ports on the Surface Pro and noted that its SSD is a bit sluggish. That is something to be wary of if you plan to use Ableton in a performance setting.
Surface Pro Audio is a website dedicated to audio production on the Microsoft Surface. The site has several posts on using and optimizing Ableton for creating music on the Surface Pro.
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Like making great music, finding the best laptop for Ableton Live is all about finding the right combination. If you have the budget for it, hands down the best laptop for Ableton Live 10 is the Apple MacBook Pro. Its powerful processor and sleek interface make it a formidable machine, beloved by audio creatives everywhere. For a more affordable option, the Acer Aspire E is a great option for beginners.
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