Ableton Tutorials

Explore new devices, workflow updates and more on the release of Ableton Live 10.

Introducing new devices; Wavetable, Echo, Drum Buss and Pedal: new devices that mean colorful new sounds are possible with Live’s instruments and effects. Workflow updates and improvements to Live that help you stay in the flow at every stage of your creative process, whether you’re getting ideas down, organizing your setup or editing the details of your music.

The Arrangement View has been optimized for quick creative editing and more efficient song creation. Easily stretch a clip, slide its content or create audio fades with new clip interactions that work directly in the Arrangement.

Automate with greater control using grid snapping and other improved breakpoint interactions. Focus instantly on what you need to with quick keyboard shortcuts: toggle automation visibility for all tracks, zoom in and out of selections of your song, nudge clips, and even make audio edits like reversing samples.

Capture – Turn your most spontaneous ideas into music, without thinking about recording. Starting a song? Just arm a MIDI track and play. When an idea emerges, press Capture after you played it. Live will match your tempo and timing, and start your melody or groove in a perfect loop. You can also use Capture to progress your songs: add new parts or overdub MIDI into existing clips without breaking your flow—just press Capture after you’ve played it right.

Edit multiple MIDI clips – Create drums and bass, or chords and melody in tandem. Work with multiple MIDI clips across multiple tracks within a single view—in both Session and Arrangement. Now you can edit smarter and take better control of the musical relationships in your song.

Build a velocity sensitive instrument rack from the ground up. Sample any instrument and recreate a virtual version employing two techniques using either simpler or sampler and mapping out multiple samples to trigger via specifying note type and velocity.

Download the Shure Microphone Techniques PDF Resource HERE

Buy the behr – Mbira Rack HERE

Explore building a polyphonic synthesizer in Max for Live.
An easy to follow step by step tutorial on polyphony.
Download the free poly synth for you to have fun tweaking and modifying or to just look at the mapping technique.
If you have any added features to the synth and would like to share please e-mail

Download the Max4Live Polyphonic Synth HERE

This special effect rack is a resonator infused with a dub delay, called the ResoDUB! Available as a FREE DOWNLOAD.
This audio effect has been especially mapped to be able to dial in any chord in any key signature, simply by turning a couple of macro knobs.
After a key and chord degree is selected, you can start to change and morph the resonator sound with independent delay time macros,
exploring feedback loops, LFO filter sweeps, drowned in reverb or dry and brittle.
With the device you would be able to create very intricate poly-rhythmic chordal textures, both legato (long) and staccato (short) noted phrases.
And after all that start to record different chord progressions by just turning a macro knob and listening out for a preferable sequence.

Hope to find you mesmerised by audio manipulation and sonic exploration.

Download the ResoDUB HERE

Exploring synthesis in the visual programming language, Max.
Building a Monophonic Dual Oscillator Bass Synth with a State Variable Filter and Filter Envelope.
Free download of the bass synth, for referencing.
Feel free to make additional changes, and customize this synth.

Download the Max4Live Mono Bass Synth HERE

The fundamental differences between Automation and Modulation,
both in the Session View and the Arrangement View in Ableton Live 9.
With these concepts translated, the incorporation of Follow Actions and Dummy Clips is where the endless possibilities of Ableton is uncovered.
With a greater understanding of these very important techniques it will be invaluable to your growth in your music production.

Build your own multisample drum rack and multi instance synth rack in Ableton Live 9.
With this customised drum and synth rack you will be able to have all your samples and sounds already for use in your music production.