The Ultimate Guide to Ableton Live's Instruments

Live features nine virtual instruments: Impulse, Simpler, Operator, Wavetable, Sampler, Analog, Electric, Tension, and Collision. Impulse and Simpler comes free for all Live users, while the others are included in the Live Suite or must be purchased separately.

Under the Instruments View of the Browser, you'll see 12 items, three of which aren't precisely instruments but are included in the same category nevertheless. Drum Racks and Instrument tracks work in conjunction with other virtual devices to make customized meta-instruments, ranging from the very simple to the mind-boggling complex. External Instrument is a handy utility for easy integration of hardware instruments and multitimbral plug-ins.

Live's instruments are a deep topic that an entire book could cover. Instead of endlessly listing every parameter of every device, we've made an effort to draw attention to the most important aspects of each instrument to help you through the hardest part of the learning curve. Bear in mind that sound design and synthesis are subjects that go far beyond any individual instrument discussion. That said, you'll often make the most progress by learning one instrument that you enjoy, rather than trying to become an expert at everything. Each instrument you know will make the next one easier.