In the world of DJs and music production, there are a surprisingly extensive number of rivalries against one another.
One of the more prevalent among the DAW space is the rivalry between Ableton Lite vs Pro Tools.
And despite both software program options being professionally put together, able to handle different MIDI-based functions, and being host to many plug-ins and advanced audio track editing features, they are more different than they are the same.
Throughout this comparison review, we’ll go over each program and see what makes one option more appealing than the other before ultimately deciding which is the best for you and what you’re specifically looking for.
Pro Tools Vs Ableton Lite (in short)
As mentioned earlier, both DAW programs have a lot in common between each other. In addition to the various features previously mentioned, both programs also allow you to edit, record, mix and master any MIDI audio files. And, while the process to do this may differ from one program to the next, the result is ultimately the same.
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Ableton Lite Live vs Pro Tools: Familiarize Yourself
Both Ableton, as well as Pro Tools, acts as an effective tool when used by engineers, music producers, DJs, as well as musicians.
This means that, though there are some differences between the two, the ultimate test of how one compares to the other will be based on how familiar end experienced you are in your particular field of expertise.
No matter which program you use, if you’re not a good DJ or producer, neither is going to make you better simply because you’re using that device.
It’s as simple as that.
Ableton Live – The Lowdown
Starting with Ableton, this software option is the one most often used by electronic music producers.
Throughout the years, Ableton has developed a considerable fan base due to its visual layout being fairly well put together and properly streamlined.
They are also highly renowned for their unique interface as well as their “plug-and-play” feature.
Ableton’s many certain features, in addition, aren’t presented via multiple external windows that threaten to restrict access and viewing of the session but are available via a list located on the left side of the interface.
Customizable
One prominent aspect of the Ableton Live software is that it offers a large variety of customizable options all as basic core functions of its programming.
These range from custom-created shortcuts, to customized menus, to color-coding and MIDI notes mapping control.
MIDI
The Ableton Live software also excels quite a bit in both MIDI programming and editing.
This, in particular, makes it a great option when it comes to putting together different kinds of musical beats, from Techno, to hip-hop, to House, and many more.
This can be considered a far cry from other DAW platforms, where you are often tasked with jumping through some serious hoops and multiple tracks menu options if you want to so much as accessing even the most basic of features and functions.
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Stability
Another area that Ableton excels at is its overall stability and reliability as a DAW software.
A great example of this is even in how one can play with the audio effect interface settings. Whereas other DAW programs would require you to completely restart your session to do anything, that isn’t the case with Ableton Live packs.
Here, in most cases, you only need to adjust the driver settings (even during mid-session) and you can eventually determine both the latency as well as the processing power being used.
In addition to all of this, Ableton allows you to entirely switch and swap out MIDI devices or complete interfaces entirely while the project is open – again, without directly needing to restart or close out of anything.
View Options
Something wholly unique to the Ableton DAW software is that it hosts two entirely separate viewing methods: Session Views & Arrangement Views.
Session Views is a mode that vertically displays tracks next to an audio tracks loop grid.
Arrangement Views, on the other hand, works by laying out a session in the more standard horizontal method, with a display showing across its timeline.
Both of these viewing methods can be very useful for music producers as it gives them a fairly useful method of putting together and composing different beats entirely on the fly.
You essentially just click on a audio clip of a new MIDI track in the grid, allowing you complete access and control over it, from being able to stop it, start it, or record it along a playback loop.
As a result, while both options are great, the inclusion of Session View makes it especially useful for DJs and musicians that plan to perform live, as clips can be played with and tweaked just before a show starts.
Pro Tools – the Lowdown
Where Ableton offers some pretty impressive sweeping features and abilities, Pro Tools instead works on targeting precise editing tools and features.
It is because of this reason in particular that it has been, and continues to be, the premier choice for engineers and mixers.
Editing
Interestingly, while both programs allow for the ability to edit out audio clips, Pro Tools completely overtakes Ableton in this area as hosts several different features that essentially improve its mixing efficiency.
Similarly, the program hosts something known as “Destructive Editing”, which lets you print effects directly onto a clip, allowing you to use the sound without having to create an entirely new track for every single effect you want to use.
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Keyboard Shortcuts
Pro Tools is also well known for putting together some fairly extensive computer keyboard shortcut offers. With Pro Tools, users can track, mix, and edit in ways Ableton simply can’t.
Super Popular
Another one of Pro Tools’ clear strengths is the fact that it is a fan-favorite universal darling throughout the professional world.
While Ableton has its fans, the vast majority of creating music and recording tracks studio use Pro Tools setups.
As such, producers and engineers that travel around to different studios regularly can maintain their sessions pretty much anywhere they go in the world.
This is very much not the case when it comes to the Ableton program software, which is more of a cult favorite by comparison.
Audio Suite
Lastly, Pro Tools comes with the feature, Audio Suite.
For many who have used it, this alone can be considered a mixer’s dream powerful tool, as it allows for super fast and effective clip edits while not having to create an entirely new track.
Similarly, you can use the Audio Suite feature to make edits while not having to drag a clip down or load up an entire plug in.
While it is a great option on its own, using this feature alongside the rest of Pro Tools’ lineup makes it a clear favorite for those that love editing their music and putting together something that sounds professionally made.
What is your intent for the software?
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Pro Tools VS Ableton Live – Which Is Best For You?
Ultimately, the biggest difference between these two DAW programs – and who they are best for – is the overall intent you have for them.
Yes, in a general setting, the two programs can do much of the same things, however, both have the strengths that work to make them much more unique from each other as a result.
Ableton is meant for the DJ and music producer that is a huge fan of electronic music.
Not only does it offer a ton of useful features in that area, as well as how to manipulate certain viewing options with MIDI.
On the other hand, if you’re someone that likes to dig into the tracking and editing of music, your best bet is the Pro Tools program.
This is great for music engineers and mixers that want something with a lot of mixing abilities.
As you continue to grow and develop as a music producer or DJ, your style and ability will begin to make you known.
Ableton Live vs Pro Tools: Takeaway
We finished with our Ableton vs Pro Tool’s takeaways. It’s quite simple really.
If you don’t know which of these two is the best option, give it some time or consider the one that sounds the most interesting to you at the time.
Try it out, understand the platform and make a decision if it works for you around a decent level of understanding.
By understanding what either option offers – whether you know nothing about music production or are already an expert – you can make a better and more informed decision on which of the two is ultimately the one that will work best for you.
