Course 8: Ableton Course - Producing

Let us guide you to becoming a producer with the award winning Ableton Live. This ground breaking piece of software has revolutionised the creative processes involved in putting music together. Pro producers guide you through all the various stages of production from understanding MIDI programming to getting to grips with EQing sounds and mastering your final mix!

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Course materials include:

20+ Quicktime video tutorials

300 pages of course notes

Audio samples and song files

Personalised video feedback on your music

Weekly webchat with a pro producer

Student forum - post your questions & discussion topics

Ableton Live Course contents

Week 1: The Basics

• Session & arrangement view
• What is MIDI?
• Basic rhythm concepts
• Working with clips and scenes
• Using the browser

Week 2: MIDI Clips

• Basic drum programming
• MIDI recording
• Impulse and Simpler (the basic Ableton instruments)
• MIDI editing
• MIDI routing (utilising the in/out matrix)
• Clip envelopes (MIDI)

Week 3: Audio Clips

• Working with audio clips
• Warp marking
• Warping entire tracks and creating loops
• Playback algorithms
• Tightening up loose loops
• Clip envelopes (audio)

Week 4: Midi and Audio FX/Creative Browser Use

• MIDI FX - how and where to use them
• Audio FX- how and where to use them
• Organising projects/ clips/ channels
• Understanding the file management system

Week 5: Recording Arrangements and Recording Audio

• Recording arrangements
• Consolidating audio/ freeze/ flatten tracks
• The analogue to digital process
• Recording audio into Ableton

Week 6: Automation/Midi Controllers/Midi Mapping

• Automation
• What are MIDI controllers?
• MIDI clock and synchronisation
• MIDI controllers and setting them up (MIDI mapping)

Week 7: Understanding Abletons Rack Systems

• Understanding Abletons rack systems
• Understanding and using drum racks
• Creative use of drum racks
• Multi-track warping

Week 8: Advanced Midi programming, Advanced Audio Routing

• Advanced MIDI Routing
• Advanced audio routing
• Utilising Rewire with Reason and Logic

Week 9: Mixing your Track pt.1

• Setting up your mix environment
• Balancing and panning your sounds
• Utilising EQ to create separation in the mix
• Using compressors
• Utilising 'side-chaining'

Week 10: Mixing your Track pt 2

• Basic guide to structure and arrangement
• Adding space to your tracks with delays and reverbs

Week 11: Mixing Your Track pt 3

• Modulation FX
• Sub grouping
• Extra tips with third party plugins

Week 12: Mixdown, Mastering and Final Test