Ableton introduces new Live 12.2 update
The latest iteration of Ableton Live has arrived. Version 12.2, now available as a public beta, introduces a wave of refinements aimed at enhancing both studio workflows and live performances. With updates spanning core Devices, hardware integrations, and user-friendly improvements, this release signals a continued evolution of one of electronic music’s most essential DAWs.
For producers, the most notable change is the complete overhaul of Auto Filter, a longtime staple in Live’s effects arsenal. The redesigned version introduces real-time visualization, new filter types—including the DJ Filter, which merges high-pass and low-pass functions into a single knob, akin to the EQ/filter controls found on Pioneer DJ mixers—and an expanded modulation section. It’s also the first time Auto Filter is available on Ableton’s mobile-focused Move device and the Note app, further integrating Live’s creative tools across platforms.
Beyond filters, Live 12.2 streamlines the creative process with Bounce to New Track, a simple yet powerful addition that allows users to instantly render a MIDI or audio track, including all its effects, to a new track while preserving the original. For those preferring a direct replacement, Bounce in Place remains an option.
Max for Live enthusiasts will find Expressive Chords, a new Device that enables intuitive harmonic progressions with a single key or pad press—compatible with MPE for even greater expressiveness. Elsewhere, Roar gains new routing and filter modes for deeper sound-shaping possibilities, while the Browser introduces Quick Tags, allowing users to edit, assign, and view metadata with greater efficiency.
On the hardware side, Push users benefit from 16 Pitches, unlocking melodic sample triggering within Drum Rack, along with enhanced Follow Actions, Bounce to New Track support, and deeper integration with Live’s Groove Pool. These refinements bring more nuanced control to Ableton’s flagship controller, reinforcing its role as a tactile production and performance hub.
Live 12.2 is currently in public beta and available as a free update for existing Live 12 users. For newcomers, pricing starts at €99 for the Intro version. More details, including an in-depth look at the new Auto Filter, can be found on Ableton’s official website.
Late last year, Ableton expanded its hardware lineup with Move, a compact, standalone device designed for on-the-go music creation. With 12.2 further integrating Move into the Live ecosystem, the lines between mobile and studio production continue to blur.
Check out the new Auto Filter updates in action below.