Table of Contents
Overview
From Ableton Live 11.2 onwards, especially on Apple Silicon Macs, you can now use certain AUv3-compatible iPad and iPhone apps as Audio Unit (AU) plugins directly within Ableton Live on your Mac. This opens up a wide range of creative possibilities by integrating mobile music apps into your desktop production workflow.
Requirements
- Apple Silicon Mac: Only Macs with Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, etc.) are supported. Intel Macs are not compatible for this feature.
- macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later: You need macOS 11 or newer.
- Ableton Live 11.2 or later: AUv3 support is officially available from Live 11.2.
- App must support AUv3 and Mac (Apple Silicon): The iPad/iPhone app must be labeled as AUv3-compatible and also support Mac (Apple Silicon). If the App Store indicates Mac compatibility, you’re good to go.
How to Use AUv3 Apps in Ableton Live
- Install the App from the Mac App Store
- Search for the desired AUv3 app on the Mac App Store and install it.
- If you already purchased the app on iPad/iPhone, you can usually install it on your Mac at no extra cost (as long as the app supports Mac).
- Enable Audio Units in Ableton Live
- In Live, go to Preferences > Plug-Ins and enable “Audio Units”.
- Verify the App Appears in Live
- The installed app should now appear in Live’s plugin browser under Audio Units (AUv3).
- If it appears, you can load it onto a track like any other plugin.
Important Notes
- Only Mac-compatible AUv3 apps work: Not all iPad/iPhone AUv3 apps are available or functional on Mac. Always check the App Store for Mac compatibility before purchasing or installing.
- Some apps may have incomplete UI or limited functionality: Depending on the app, certain features or the user interface may not work perfectly on Mac.
- AUv3 MIDI effects are not supported in Live: Only audio effects and instruments are supported. MIDI output from AUv3 plugins may be limited or unavailable in Ableton Live.
- Not all features are guaranteed: Some AUv3 plugins may have restricted features (such as MIDI output) or may not work as expected due to differences between iOS and macOS environments.
For Audio-Only Use (Non-AUv3 or Non-Mac-Compatible Apps)
If you want to use the audio from an iPad/iPhone app that doesn’t support AUv3 or isn’t Mac-compatible, you can stream audio from your device to Ableton Live via USB using apps like Studiomux. This method allows you to capture audio from virtually any mobile app, even if it can’t run natively on your Mac.
Summary Table
| Item | Requirement/Note |
|---|---|
| Supported Macs | Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3, etc.) only |
| Supported OS | macOS 11 or later |
| Ableton Version | Live 11.2 or later |
| App Requirement | AUv3 support and Mac (Apple Silicon) compatibility |
| Setup | Enable Audio Units in Live preferences |
| Notes | Not all apps supported, some may have limited features |
Conclusion
Both iPad and iPhone AUv3 apps can be used as Audio Unit plugins in Ableton Live on Mac, provided they are labeled as Mac (Apple Silicon) compatible. Always check the App Store for Mac compatibility before installing, as not all AUv3 apps are available for Mac.
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