“How much RAM do I need to run Ableton Live? Is an i5 processor good for music production?” Are you wanting to see if Ableton Live is compatible on your computer? Perhaps you’re simply looking to optimize Live on your device. There are many questions musicians have regarding their computer’s specs and Ableton Live.

If you’re in a position where you’re ready to download Ableton but are worried that it isn’t compatible on your computer, then you’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we’ll be unpacking each of the minimum specifications required to run Ableton Live 10 and 11 on both Mac and Windows devices.

Without further ado, let’s get started!

It’s important to note that when it comes to each of these specs, more is better. For example, a computer with more RAM and better processing means Ableton Live is able to run faster and more efficient. Therefore, access to a device with specs greater than the minimum system requirements will ensure an optimal Ableton experience.

| RAM (Random Access Memory)

RAM is one of the most fundamental elements of computing. It stores the information your computer is actively using so that it can be accessed quickly. The more RAM your system has, the faster programs will run.

To run Ableton Live 10 on a Mac or Windows device, a minimum of 4GB of RAM is required.
To run Ableton Live 11 on a Mac or Windows device, a minimum of 8GB of RAM is required.

| Storage

Computer storage consists of either a hard drive or a solid state drive where data such as applications, documents and photos are stored. Different computers come with different storage sizes.

Once installed, the Live application takes up approximately 3GB of hard drive space. However, Ableton recommends to have at least 8GB of disk space available for installation and up to 76GB for additional available sound content. It is also recommended to allow extra hard-drive space for audio samples, external plugins and project files.

| Display Resolution

Expressed in terms of width and height, display resolution describes the visual dimensions of any given display. In order for Live to correctly and accurately display its interface, a minimum display resolution is required on both Mac and Windows devices.

For Mac, a minimum display resolution of 1280×800 is required to run both Ableton Live 10 and 11.
For Windows, a minimum display resolution of 1366×768 is required to run both Ableton Live 10 and 11.

| Operating System

An operating system is the underlying software that runs on a computer. It manages the computer’s memory and processes, as well as all of its software and hardware. A computer cannot function without an operating system.

Before downloading Live, it’s important to make sure you are running a compatible operating system. You may need to update your OS in order to install Ableton Live.

Mac:
Ableton Live 10 is compatible on any OS between El Capitan 10.11.6 and Catalina 10.15.7.
Ableton Live 11 is compatible on any OS after High Sierra 10.13.

Windows:
Ableton Live 10 is compatible on Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 10.
Ableton Live 11 is compatible on Windows 10 (Build 1909 and later).

| Processing

A processor, also known as the CPU, is a small chip that enables your computer to interact with all of the applications and programs installed. It is responsible for interpreting most computer commands.

For Mac, an Intel® Core™ i5 processor or faster is recommended for both Ableton Live 10 and 11 (an Intel® Core™2 Duo processor is also compatible with Ableton Live 10).

For Windows, an Intel® Core™ i5 processor or AMD multi-core processor is recommended for both Ableton Live 10 and 11.

If your Mac or Windows device meets the required specifications but your Live software isn’t performing as it should, there are a variety of techniques to implement into your projects to help Live perform better. If you’re experiencing latency and lag when running Ableton Live, click here to learn the top strategies for optimising Live on your laptop or computer.

*If you need to know the minimum system requirements for versions of Ableton Live earlier than 10, you can read about it on Ableton.com here.

Want To Know More?

Here at Live Aspects, we have dozens of useful lessons and tutorials created to enhance your music production skills and help speed up the learning process. You can access our huge range of music theory lessons and production tips and tricks here.