Ableton Live, the popular music program for Mac OS X that allows you to spontaneously compose, record, remix, improvise and edit your ideas in a seamless audio/MIDI environment, has been updated to fix a number of nasty bugs. You can download the new version of the software (7.0.10) here.

Ableton Live uses loop-based production methods, but also linear production solutions. These include unique virtual instruments and effects, which are just a click away in the program's intuitive UI. The program also works perfectly with Pro Tools M-Powered, according to the developers.

The fixes included in the new version of Ableton Live are aimed at executing the 'Sort Chains' command in a Rack, which could potentially crash the program; sidechain routings that were not properly saved in a Live Clip; setting the 'Count In' to 4 bars would result in a 3-bar Count In; the unlocking of additional instruments that could fail under certain conditions; sending MIDI SysEx data into Live, which could lead to crashes.

While the professional music software known as Ableton Live costs a pocket-burning $500, the free trial version, good for 14 days, includes Ableton Live 7; Sampler, Operator, Electric, Analog, Tension; extensive built-in step-by-step tutorials and localized software menus, tutorials, and PDF reference manuals. All features are active in the trial version, as are all the instruments. Saving and exporting are, of course, disabled in demo mode.

The developers are also advertising new "Live Literature" on the Ableton website. "Ableton Live 7 Tips and Tricks" by Martin Delaney and "Ableton Live 7 Power!" by Jon Margulies are now available for those looking to pick up on the music-making solution for Mac. The former will give Live novices an insight into working methods that otherwise would take months to discover, while "Ableton Live 7 Power!" is aimed at both digital audio beginners and seasoned studio professionals, and explores each fundamental feature in Live.

Ableton Live requires at least Mac OS X 10.2.8 or later, any G3 (or faster), and 512 MB RAM (recommended).