Ableton Live
Ableton Live is a flexible software solution for music creation and performance that offers unique session and arrangement views to help you compose, record, and improvise music fluidly.
NoiseGator
NoiseGator is a lightweight open-source noise gate application that filters out background noise from your microphone or speakers in real-time to ensure clear audio during your voice calls.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Ableton Live | NoiseGator |
|---|---|---|
| Website | ableton.com | noisegator.com |
| Pricing Model | One_time | Free |
| Starting Price | $??/month | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 90 days free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✘ No product demo |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 1999 | 2014 |
| Headquarters | Berlin, Germany | null |
Overview
Ableton Live
Ableton Live gives you everything you need to create, produce, and perform music within a single, intuitive interface. You can work in two distinct ways: use the Session View to sketch out ideas and improvise with loops freely, or switch to the Arrangement View to organize your musical pieces along a traditional timeline. This dual approach makes it easy to move from a spark of inspiration to a finished track without breaking your creative flow.
Whether you are a solo electronic artist, a member of a live band, or a professional sound designer, you can customize the environment to fit your specific needs. You get a massive library of sounds, instruments, and effects right out of the box, allowing you to start making music immediately. The software is designed to be a true instrument in itself, reacting to your performance in real-time while maintaining perfect sync across all your hardware and software elements.
NoiseGator
NoiseGator is a nimble, Java-based noise gate tool designed to clean up your audio feed by cutting out unwanted background hiss and hum. You can use it to suppress the sound of your keyboard clicking or your computer fans whirring while you are on a call or recording a podcast. It works by analyzing audio levels in real-time and muting the input when the volume drops below a threshold you define.
You can route your audio through virtual cables to integrate it with apps like Skype, Discord, or OBS. Because it is open-source and runs on Java, you can use it across Windows, Mac, and Linux systems without worrying about heavy resource consumption. It is a straightforward solution for anyone needing a professional audio bypass without investing in expensive hardware processors.
Overview
Ableton Live Features
- Session View Mix and match musical ideas without the constraints of a timeline so you can improvise and find your sound faster.
- Warping and Stretching Change the tempo and timing of any audio in real-time without affecting its pitch to keep everything in perfect sync.
- Comping and Editing Organize multiple passes of an audio or MIDI performance into individual takes to pick the best moments for your track.
- MIDI Transformation Apply variations to your MIDI clips like adding ornaments, accelerating notes, or simulating guitar strums with simple, powerful controls.
- MPE Compatibility Add expressive bends, slides, and pressure sensitivity to individual notes within a chord for more realistic and nuanced performances.
- Max for Live Access a vast community of user-created instruments and effects or build your own custom tools to expand your sonic possibilities.
NoiseGator Features
- Real-time Noise Gating. Filter out background noise instantly as you speak by setting a custom volume threshold for your microphone.
- Virtual Audio Routing. Connect your filtered audio to any application like Discord or Skype using virtual audio cable drivers.
- Adjustable Attack and Release. Fine-tune how quickly the gate opens and closes to ensure your voice isn't clipped during natural pauses.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility. Run the software on Windows, Mac, or Linux thanks to its lightweight Java-based architecture.
- Input and Output Selection. Choose exactly which device you want to gate, whether it is your primary microphone or your system speakers.
- Visual Level Monitoring. Monitor your audio levels visually to accurately set your noise floor and avoid accidental muting.
Pricing Comparison
Ableton Live Pricing
- 16 Audio and MIDI tracks
- 8 Scenes for improvisation
- 2 Send and return tracks
- 5GB+ Sound library
- Core instruments and effects
- Everything in Intro, plus:
- Unlimited Audio and MIDI tracks
- Unlimited Scenes
- 12 Send and return tracks
- 38GB+ Sound library
- Advanced comping and audio-to-MIDI
NoiseGator Pricing
- Full software access
- Real-time audio gating
- Unlimited usage
- Source code access
- Cross-platform support
Pros & Cons
Ableton Live
Pros
- Unique session view is perfect for live performance
- Fastest workflow for electronic music and loop-based production
- Incredible built-in instruments and high-quality audio effects
- Massive 90-day trial gives you plenty of time to learn
Cons
- Steep learning curve for those used to traditional DAWs
- Full Suite version is a significant financial investment
- Notation features are limited compared to dedicated scoring software
NoiseGator
Pros
- Completely free and open-source software
- Extremely lightweight on system resources
- Works effectively for removing constant background hiss
- Simple interface is easy to navigate
- No installation required for the portable version
Cons
- Requires Java to be installed on your system
- Requires separate virtual audio cable software
- Interface looks dated compared to modern apps