This was the first book we bought when we started using Ableton. Starting with Ableton is no small feat. It can get pretty complicated. This book helped us simplify and focus. We wanted to using Ableton for performance and that is the area we have focused on. We have not really gotten into the recording section of Ableton. We have only used the production and performance sections.
The author, Jon Margulies, has made Ableton much more approachable. For whatever reason, Ableton does not follow the software design standards of the mass produced software programs we are all familiar with. For this reason, it makes Ableton a bit hard to get used to. This book enables you to get past all of that stuff and get into the power of the program.
This book did a great job of showing us what was possible. The focus on how to use Ableton to perform was great. At the beginning of the book, there are some pictures of how people set and use the program. Later in the book, there are several pictures showing people performing. I guess I am just a visual but the pictures help me get the vision. With computer software and computer performing, we need more visuals of how to do it and how to perform with a computer in front of you.
The book is definitely a “comprehensive guide’ and covers all the areas of interest that I have needed. The only weak spot has been the detailed step by step instructions. The instructions for stuff seems to be embedded in the text. If they had broken out the how to sections with specfic steps it would make things a lot more clear and reproduciable.
Overall, the book was well done. It is a permanent part of our Ableton library.
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