Ableton has announced Live 4, a new version of its real-time music-making application. Live 4 will offer MIDI sequencing, pattern recording, drag-and-drop sampling, virtual instruments and MIDI hardware support. Ableton said it has also made “substantial extensions and enhancements to existing functionality, including such features as swing/groove for audio and MIDI clips, a powerful new channel-routing scheme, simplified recording, sample reverse, and several exciting new creative options for the Session View.” Live 4 will be available by the end of July for US$499.