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Ableton Live

Weekend Workshop

A two-day crash course teaching you the fundamentals of producing music with Ableton Live.

Ever wondered how a track you like is made? Chances are it has been produced using a computer and includes a vocal, accompanied by a few electronic instruments. In this workshop we will uncover the behind-the-scenes process of music production, and show you some of the essential tools a music producer uses in everyday music creation. During the workshop we will be learning the fundamentals of working with Ableton Live, one of the world’s leading music production softwares*. By the end of the workshop you will leave with an original beat, as well as a basic understanding of the essential music production concepts needed to make a track.

Topics Covered

Overview and understanding the
interface

Beat-making and drum programming

Instrumentation

Basic audio + MIDI editing

What are audio effect?

What is sampling?

Creating melodies, chords, and basslines

Song Arrangement

Basic mix-down

Exporting your song

ENROLL TODAY

UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVITY

DISCOVER THE WORLD OF MUSIC PRODUCTION

*This workshop will be taught using Ableton Live, one of the leading music production softwares. We also offer courses in Logic Pro, and if you want to know about the differences between Ableton and Logic you can read this article here.

 
 
Learn how to navigate the interface and find sounds, samples, and instruments quickly using the browser. Explore how Session and Arrangement Views interact, and learn important workflow techniques such as how to edit audio and MIDI and record in real time.

Music Production Fundamentals

Learn how to navigate the interface and find sounds, samples, and instruments quickly using the browser. Explore how Session and Arrangement Views interact, and learn important workflow techniques such as how to edit audio and MIDI and record in real time.
Learn to program drums using Ableton’s powerful Drum Rack, and customize drum kits using your own samples. Learn the nuances of how beats vary from one genre to the next, and apply essential tools such as quantization and groove.

Drum Programming and Beat Making

Learn to program drums using Ableton’s powerful Drum Rack, and customize drum kits using your own samples. Learn the nuances of how beats vary from one genre to the next, and apply essential tools such as quantization and groove.
Learn about the fundamentals of music theory and how intervals, scales, and chords are interconnected to create melodies, chord progressions, and basslines, to form the melodic material for a song.

Music Theory Fundamentals

Learn about the fundamentals of music theory and how intervals, scales, and chords are interconnected to create melodies, chord progressions, and basslines, to form the melodic material for a song.
Explore how audio and MIDI effects add another creative dimension to your color palette as a producer. Learn to record and manipulate audio and create unique sounds, using Ableton’s powerful samplers.

Audio & MIDI Effects, Sampling, Warping

Explore how audio and MIDI effects add another creative dimension to your color palette as a producer. Learn to record and manipulate audio and create unique sounds, using Ableton’s powerful samplers.
Discover how to turn a 4-bar loop into a 4-minute track, by learning about song structure and arranging techniques. Add movement to your music by applying automation, variation, transition effects, and ear candy.

Arrangement & Automation

Discover how to turn a 4-bar loop into a 4-minute track, by learning about song structure and arranging techniques. Add movement to your music by applying automation, variation, transition effects, and ear candy.
Add final polish to your music by learning about the mixing process, covering essential concepts from gain staging, panning, and sends & returns, to compression, EQ, and demo-mastering. Leave the course with your track bounced out and ready for the world to hear.

Mixing and Exporting Your Track

Add final polish to your music by learning about the mixing process, covering essential concepts from gain staging, panning, and sends & returns, to compression, EQ, and demo-mastering. Leave the course with your track bounced out and ready for the world to hear.


ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING GREAT

HEAR WHY STUDENTS LOVE OUR CLASSES

Hundreds of students have taken this class as their first music production class ever, and they have all ended up making amazing music!

 

Are you ready to make your first track?

  • Produce your first track

  • Learn from world-class instructors and get personalized feedback

  • Drastically improve your music production skills through a step-by-step curriculum

  • Learn with a peer group and meet like-minded music makers

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If your questions aren’t covered below, you can email us or call us.

Who is this class for?
This class is for complete beginners who have not had any formal musical training or music production experience. It is also for students that have dabbled with Ableton but not had any formal training and have gaps in their knowledge, which they would like to fill by taking a structured course and learn from a reliable source.

What equipment do I need to take this class?
All you need is a laptop with Ableton Live installed and a pair of headphones. You can download the free demo of Ableton Live here. It is also useful to have a small MIDI keyboard. You do not need to have an Ableton Push (although they are pretty cool!).

Do you offer discounts on Ableton Live and other software?
Yes, as a 343 Labs student, you are eligible for a 40% discount on an Ableton Live license and can get discounts on most software and hardware through us. Just let us know, and we will help. If you prefer to try out Live before buying, you can download a free 30-day demo here.

What edition of Ableton Live do I need? Can I use an older version of Live?
We recommend that you use Ableton Live Suite or Ableton Live Standard. If you are using an older version of Live (such as Live 9), you can use that, although we always recommend using Live 10.