Courses

Professional Course Programmes Pro Producer Courses Specialist Courses Music Business Courses Logic Courses Ableton Live Courses Cubase Courses DJ Courses

Ableton Live 1 - Production

Overview

This Ableton course will transform you into an expert producer in just 8 weeks. This ground breaking software has revolutionised the creative process involved in putting music together. We provide a comprehensive lowdown on how to use the tools in Ableton Live to make professional quality tracks, covering every aspect of music production, from MIDI programming to getting to grips with EQing sounds and mastering your final mix. Upload your music each week for DVR™- expert analysis and video feedback from a pro producer. With Louie Vega, Freerange and Cr2 checking out tracks from this course, this is a fantastic opportunity to get your stuff heard in the right places - after polishing your technique! Check out the reviews at the bottom of this page.

Includes a minimum of 480 mins video / 8 x DVR™ (1-2-1 video feedback)/ 8 hours live master classes /1 year access / over 160 pages of course notes / 24/7 access to forum / exclusive audio resources to download. Optional: sign your track to Point Blank Music distributed by iTunes, beatport, Juno Download and Amazon.

Course Preview

Course Contents

Week 1: Beat Making with Impulse

Overview of Ableton
Browser: devices, Session and Arrange view
Keyboard shortcuts
Live packs
Drums: kits, Impulse, quantize, velocity tricks
Counting music: rhythm and tempo
Creating self contained projects

Week 2: Groove, Warping and Clip Envelopes

Layered Drums: multiple Impulse kits
Midi controllers: playing in live, OVR function
Hot Swap: single sounds and kits
Quantize, groove and swing
Warping explained
Percussion: warping loops, warp markers
Clip envelopes: events,automation

Week 3: Music and Bass with Simpler

Sounds: browsing, tricks, REX and Midi files
Simpler: loading sounds, start points
Programming bass parts in different genres
Compression: basics
Simpler: filter, LFO, velocity, Live 7 Legacy
Riffs, chords and scales, arpeggiator
Racks: chains, instruments, drum racks

Week 4: Scenes and Effects

Building scenes:capture and insert, labelling
Effects: inserts v sends/returns, when and why?
Delay and Reverb
Creative effects: Beat Repeat and Auto Filter
Midi mapping: sends, midi map values
Key mapping: toggle switches, mixing desk
Resampling: what and why? Frequency shifter

Week 5: Arrangement and Vocals

Recording Arrangements
Automation: editing, recording/overdubbing
Arrange view essentials, fixed grid
Editing audio, consolidation, Red drums, fades
Editing midi
Free 3rd party plug ins: T.A.L/NI Kore Player
Vocal samples and recording vocals

Week 6: Structure and Arrangement

Slice to midi: Macro loop compress functions
Structure: breakdowns, larger sections, method
Arrangement: how parts co exist
Arrangement types: songs, tracks
Project: Soy Mustafa ‘Red’, Jonny Miller Remix
Arranging: delete time, copy sections, als files
Tips: fills, Red drums, fill from original drum loop

Week 7: Mixing Basics

Sweeps, washes, reverses, cymbals, FX
Freeze & Flatten options
Session view: set up, extending faders, sizing
Grouping tracks for mixing and processing
Spectrum analysing: using it to 'see' sound
Functional FX: EQ Eight and Auto Filter HP
Compression: attack/release, side chaining

Week 8: Finish Project

Apply finishing touches to project
Exporting your track , options, dither
What is mastering? Pro mastering vs. ‘maxing’
Mastering basics: master bus additions
Ableton Course Final Test
Soundcloud and your online profile
Assignment 8: finish final track

Course Reviews

Asad Khan

Course rating: 10/10

I think this course was AMAZING, Johnny Millers video tutorials and notes were easy to digest, to the point and very informative, that with Freddys DVRs taught me everything i wanted looking forward to gain from this course, i would recommend it to anyone who would like to learn Abelton. BIGUPS PointBlank!

Giacomo Di Mase

Course rating: 10/10

From the three courses I'm taking here at point blank this one is probably the best. Johnny is a very good teacher and developed a very good course that takes you beyond the basics of using Live 8 teaching you on how a track is made from begining to end. Also he explains very well the use of effects, the art of mixing, and mastering superbly. It is obvious that one needs practice, but this course makes sure you have a solid base to start practicing. Jonny also is very meticulous in the DVRs, Forums, and Chat going through any doubt the students may have. I had a great time , and hope I can take another course developed by Jonny. Cheers, Giacomo

James Fox

Course rating: 10/10

The course has been fantastic from start to finish. The content was thorough and concise, and the tutor Jonny Miller was full of knowledge and ideas and was extremely helpful throughout - the DVR's were fantastic! Before starting this course I had never produced a track. Now, having completed the course, I have my first fully produced track under my belt, and have a solid knowlegde base to continue making tracks and improving my skills! I will definately be back to take another course at Point Blank online!

Phillip Walker

Course rating: 10/10

All good, well designed course and very proficient tutor. Thanks

Ricky Thurtell

Course rating: 10/10

I thought the course was fantastic. I think I have learnt more in 8 weeks than I have doing it on my own for 2 years. The course notes and videos explain everything perfectly and cover all the bases. I have already signed up to the minimal tech course and will definitely do a few more after that. Having the mighty Mr Jonny Miller as an instructor was essential to my learning process. Very easy going and always happy to answer questions etc and the feedback on the DVR's was just what I needed. Those DVR's opened my eyes to what else can be done and with a little creativity you can really have some fun and make music. Also they explained alot of what I have been lacking in the understanding of effects and frequencies etc by actually seeing them being used in the correct ways rather than guessing or watching youtube vids with ameteur instructors that dont know why they are doing things. Thank you Jonny and Point Blank. 10/10 for sure.