Ableton Live - Essential Basics
  • Type Learning
  • Level Foundational
  • Time N/A
  • Cost Paid

Ableton Live - Essential Basics

Issued by Tech 25

In this class you'll learn how to open Ableton Live and start a new Project. We'll go through the basic program operations, where to find sounds, and how to get started with Audio and MIDI Loops. By the end you'll be able to drag&drop sounds into a new Project and actually create some music -- even if you have zero performance skills. This is required for all other Ableton Live classes. Start here. Taught by Steve Smith, Ableton Certified Trainer.

  • Type Learning
  • Level Foundational
  • Time N/A
  • Cost Paid

Skills

Earning Criteria

  • Open Ableton Live, name your Project and save it to a designated location on the computer. Close the Project and be able to open it again from the file location.
  • Playback: demonstrate the use of Session View and Arrangement view for playback of an existing Project. Show how to launch Clips, Scenes and Tracks within a Project. Demonstrate the "Back to Arrangement" button and explain its function.
  • Audio Mixer: open the Mixer in both Session View and Arrangement view. Show the main functions including Volume, Pan, Mute, Solo and Return FX Sends.
  • Browser: Locate Ableton Devices including Instruments, Audio Effects, MIDI effects, Samples, Packs and Presets. Define a search using Filters to find sounds by category. Show how to Hot-Swap Presets within a Device.
  • Display: locate Clip View and Device View. Show how to switch between them. Explain what each one shows. Locate MIDI clips and Instruments. Locate Audio waveforms and Audio Effects. Demonstrate how to select a Track and view the Clips and Devices.
  • Zoom Levels: be able to zoom in and out in the timeline and in Clip view. Demonstrate the shortcuts to zoom Height and Width. Show the mouse cursor tools for zoom control.
  • Audio and MIDI: demonstrate and understanding of the difference between Audio Clips and MIDI clips. Be able to record new ones in both types. Demonstrate basic copy/paste/edit techniques for both Audio and MIDI clips.
  • Production Tools: Demonstrate proficiency in using Instruments, Samples, Audio Effects and MIDI tools in a music production session. Be able to access editing tools such as Looping, clip start/stop points, timeline Markers, tempo change controls, timeline Looping, and all basic program operations.
  • Audio Routing: setup the Input and Outputs from Ableton Live to the audio interface or Push3. Establish headphone volume at safe level and room monitor level at the interface. Leave the Main L/R track at zero db. Troubleshoot problems with audio routing error messages.
  • Exporting: make a simple mix of your music and export it using the "Export" menu. Choose the settings for your audio output. Save your audio file to a location in your Project folder on the computer.
  • Backups: be able to Collect and Save all audio sources into your Project Folder. Export an audio file, then save and backup your entire Project to external disk. Show that you can make a .zip file of the entire Project and share it via Cloud Storage or online transfer service.
  • Project Management: be able to troubleshoot and solve the error message when "Media Files are Missing". Locate and resolve missing files to keep a music production session flowing and not to lose past work.