We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Tomas George, Ian Alexander, and Digital Music Masters

Have you always wanted to make music, but you don't know where to begin?

Opening up Ableton Live can seem quite intimidating. With such a powerful piece of software, it can be hard to know how and where to get started.

Read more

Have you always wanted to make music, but you don't know where to begin?

Opening up Ableton Live can seem quite intimidating. With such a powerful piece of software, it can be hard to know how and where to get started.

That's why we've structured this course in a way that means anyone can jump in and start making music in Ableton Live.

Over the years we have looked at the feedback we have been given by students, and have used it to try to make this our best course yet.We have made it as concise as possible, making sure no time is wasted giving you an enjoyable and efficient learning experience.

Start Producing Your Own Music in Ableton Live 11

This course is all about Ableton Live 11, a Digital Audio Workstation for Mac and Windows.

NOTE: This course is for Ableton Live 11 Suite. Some of the features I discuss in this course will only be available for Ableton Live 11 Suite, but many of the features can still be used with all editions of Ableton Live 11 (Lite, Intro, and Standard).You will also be able to follow along with the majority of this course if you are using previous versions of Ableton Live, such as Ableton Live 10.

Ableton Live is used across professional studios, bedroom studios and also as a performance tool for live performance. Learning how to use your DAW correctly will dramatically improve the quality of your music and the speed you create it.

What is this Ableton Live 11 Course all about?

In this course, you will develop a deep understanding of Ableton Live 11. You will learn the tools and processes to create, record and edit your own music. 

We provide you with numerous tips and tricks, building your confidence and speeding up your workflow throughout the course.This course has been designed in a way so that it is suitable for beginners, but as it progresses we go into more advanced features deepening your Music Production skills.

Learn the beauty and power of this professional software today.  

This course will cover such topics as : 

• The Session + Arrangement Views

• Recording MIDI

• Recording Audio

• Editing MIDI

• Editing Audio

• Creating Music with Clips

• Building Arrangements

• Creating Beats

• The basics of Mixing Music

• Automation

• Quantizing

• Warping/Time Stretching

• Comping

• MIDI Effects such as the Arpeggiator 

• Audio Effects such as Compression and EQ

• New Ableton Live 11 Audio Effects such as Hybrid Reverb, Spectral Time, and Spectral Resonator

• Music Theory and Songwriting Essentials

• Learn some of the Instruments that come with Ableton Live 11

• and Much More.

We start off with the real basics, showing you how the software works. We then have a follow-along section, teaching you all the essentials to create music, in a step-by-step format. Later we move on to more advanced concepts, taking your music production skills to the next level.

In this course, we’ll show you the essentials and much more, unlocking your potential, so you can produce music in Ableton Live 11

Our Promise to You

We are full-time Music Producers and Educators. If you have any questions about the content or Music Production in general, we will get back to you as soon as possible.

What makes us qualified to teach you?

Tomas George has a MMus Masters Degree in Music Production and a BA(Hons) Degree in Music Composition. He is also the creator of some of the world's most popular audio and music production courses - with over 290,000 students.

Ian Alexander has a MA Masters Degree in Music Production and BA(Hons) Degree in Music Production. He is a professional Audio and Mastering Engineer.

What you'll learn in this course will make you a more confident Music Producer, and improve your music production skills. This course will also improve your songwriting abilities in Ableton Live 11 and all other Digital Audio Workstations.

Go ahead and click the enroll button, and I'll see you in lesson 1.

Cheers,

Tomas and Ian.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Setup and navigate around ableton live
  • Learn how to record midi
  • Learn to record audio
  • Learn how edit midi in the midi note editor
  • Learn how to warp and edit audio
  • Avoid common pitfalls and mistakes other ableton live users make
  • Learn how to work quickly and efficiently in ableton live 11
  • Setup your audio interface and midi controller
  • Improve your general music production skills
  • Build a track from nothing
  • Learn music theory and songwriting essentials in ableton live 11
  • Understand the main audio and midi effects in live 11
  • Learn the basics of mixing
  • Show more
  • Show less

Syllabus

Introduction and Getting Started

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn how the very basics of how to use Live 11. This will include the workflow of Ableton Live and looking at the session view and the arrangement view.

Read more
IMPORTANT UPDATE for following along with this course

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn how the very basics of how to use Live 11. This includes how to create clips in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn how the very basics of how to use Live 11. This includes basic track editing in Ableton Live.

Before we get Started
Before we get Started - Ableton Live Information

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn how about the different Ableton Live editions.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn about the Ableton Live packs.

In-Depth Overview of Ableton Live and Making a Song

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn how to set the tempo the project in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn about audio tracks in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn about MIDI tracks in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn how to use the computer MIDI keyboard in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn how to set up a MIDI keyboard Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn about the basic of writing MIDI in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn about the velocity and scale feature, as well as looking at how to write a new MIDI part in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn how to record MIDI into clips in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn about the different grid settings in the MIDI note editor in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn how to quantize in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn the basic of writing drums in Ableton Live. This includes levels, the draw tool, and also how to save your project or set.

Writing Drums - PT 2: Creating a Basic Trap Style Beat

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn about creating a drumbeat in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn about record quantization in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn about the legato feature in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn about organizing your set in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn about the global quantization in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn about building an arrangement in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn how to set up ready to record in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn about recording audio in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn about basic audio editing and trimming audio in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn about basic audio editing and quantizing audio in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, we will give you a walkthrough of adding new parts in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn how to record into the arrangement view in Ableton Live.

Attached to this lecture is a zip file that contains the Ableton Live 11 set, for if you would like to follow along with these videos. Please be aware you will need Ableton Live 11 to open this file.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn about moving clips into the arrangement view in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn some essential editing features for the arrangement view in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn some essential more editing features for the arrangement view in Ableton Live, such as fades, time-stretching, and reversing.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, we will be finalizing the song's arrangement in Ableton Live.

Attached to this lecture is a zip file that contains the Ableton Live 11 set, for if you would like to follow along with these videos. Please be aware you will need Ableton Live 11 to open this file.

Recording into the Arrangement View + Exporting

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, we will give you a quick recap of setting up ready to record audio in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn how to record audio and MIDI into the arrangement view in Ableton Live.

Attached to this lecture is a zip file that contains the Ableton Live 11 set, for if you would like to follow along with these videos. Please be aware you will need Ableton Live 11 to open this file.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn how to punch record audio and MIDI in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn how to loop record MIDI in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn how to loop record audio in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn how to use take lane or comp in Ableton Live.

Exporting your Song from Ableton Live
Brief Overview of Mixing

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will be introduced to this mixing section.

Also, attached to this lecture is the Ableton Live 11 Mixing Set that you can download if you would like to follow along with us in the section.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn about levels in Ableton Live.

Also, attached to this lecture is the Ableton Live 11 Mixing Set for this lecture, so you can download it if you would like to follow along with us in this video.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn about panning in Ableton Live.

Also, attached to this lecture is the Ableton Live 11 Mixing Set for this lecture, so you can download it if you would like to follow along with us in this video.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn about adding audio effects in Ableton Live.


In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn about using groups in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn an introduction to using EQ in Ableton Live.

Also, attached to this lecture is the Ableton Live 11 Mixing Set for this lecture, so you can download it if you would like to follow along with us in this video.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live lecture, you will learn about using EQ Eight in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn about compression in Ableton Live - Part 1.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn about compression in Ableton Live - Part 2.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live lecture, you will learn about using sidechain compression in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn an introduction to mixing with EQ and compression in Ableton Live - Part 1.

Also, attached to this lecture is the Ableton Live 11 Mixing Set for this lecture, so you can download it if you would like to follow along with us in this video.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn an introduction to mixing with EQ and compression in Ableton Live - Part 2.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn a brief overview of using the default reverb send in Ableton Live.

Also, attached to this lecture is the Ableton Live 11 Mixing Set for this lecture, so you can download it if you would like to follow along with us in this video.

MIDI Effects

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, we will show you an overview of the Arpeggiator MIDI effect in Ableton Live.

Attached to this lecture is a zip file that contains the Ableton Live 11 set, for if you would like to follow along with these videos. Please be aware you will need Ableton Live 11 to open this file.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn about the style, groove, and hold features in the Arpeggiator MIDI effect in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn about the rate, gate, and retrigger features in the Arpeggiator MIDI effect in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn about the transpose and velocity features in the Arpeggiator MIDI effect in Ableton Live.

Automation

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, we will show you an introduction into automation in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn about writing and editing automation in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn how to add automation shapes in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn how to record automation in the arrangement view in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn how to record automation with a MIDI device in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn about clip automation in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn how to record automation into clips in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn about using modulation in Ableton Live.

Drum Rack Essentials

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn a brief overview of the drum rack in Ableton Live.

In this Music Production in Ableton Live 11 lecture, you will learn how to build a kit from scratch and also how to create a beat in the drum rack in Ableton Live.

Drift Instrument (Ableton Live 11.3 and Above)
An Introduction to the Drift Synth
A Quick Overview of the Drift Synth
Oscillators - Part 1: Oscillators + the Drift Control
Oscillators - Part 2: Modulation Sources
Filter Section - Part 1
Filter Section - Part 2: Frequency Modulation
Envelopes Section - Part 1: ADSR
Envelopes Section - Part 2: Envelope 2
LFO Section
Modulation Tab / Mod Matrix
Voices Section
Let's Look at Some Presets for the Drift Synth
Simpler Instrument Instrument
Simpler - Introduction and Classic Mode
Simpler - 1 Shot Mode
Simpler - Slice Mode
Simpler - Global Controls and Tuning Samples
Simpler - Filter
Simpler - LFO
Simpler - Amp Envelope
Simpler - Amp Envelope Modes
Simpler - Pitch Envelope

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Builds a strong foundation for beginners interested in digital audio workstations
Covers topics highly relevant in the industry
The instructors are recognized for their work in music production
Recommendation for learners: those who want to learn music production from the basics in Ableton Live 11

Save this course

Save Ableton Live 11 - Music Production in Ableton Live to your list so you can find it easily later:
Save

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Ableton Live 11 - Music Production in Ableton Live with these activities:
Read the Ableton Live User Manual
Gain a comprehensive understanding of Ableton Live by reading the official user manual.
Show steps
  • Download the Ableton Live user manual from the Ableton website.
  • Read through the manual, focusing on the sections that are most relevant to your interests and needs.
  • Take notes on any important concepts or features that you learn.
  • Experiment with the features and techniques that you learn about in the manual.
Review Basic Music Theory
Refresh your understanding of basic music theory to enhance your music production skills.
Browse courses on Music Theory
Show steps
  • Review the basics of musical notation.
  • Practice identifying different scales and chords.
  • Experiment with creating simple melodies and chord progressions.
Follow Along with Ableton Live Tutorials
Solidify your understanding of Ableton Live by following along with guided tutorials.
Browse courses on Ableton Live
Show steps
  • Search for online tutorials that cover topics you're interested in learning more about.
  • Follow the steps in the tutorials carefully, experimenting with different settings and options.
  • Take notes on any new techniques or concepts you learn.
  • Try to apply what you've learned to your own music productions.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Practice MIDI Editing
Improve your MIDI editing skills by completing repetitive exercises.
Browse courses on MIDI
Show steps
  • Load a MIDI file into your DAW.
  • Experiment with different MIDI editing tools, such as the piano roll and velocity editor.
  • Try to recreate a simple MIDI sequence by ear.
  • Challenge yourself to edit a more complex MIDI sequence.
Join an Ableton Live User Group or Forum
Connect with other Ableton Live users to exchange tips, troubleshoot issues, and learn new techniques.
Browse courses on Social Learning
Show steps
  • Search for Ableton Live user groups or forums online.
  • Join the group or forum and introduce yourself.
  • Participate in discussions and ask questions when you need help.
  • Share your own knowledge and experiences with other members.
Start a Music Production Project
Apply your skills and knowledge by starting a music production project from scratch.
Browse courses on Music Composition
Show steps
  • Choose a genre and style for your project.
  • Create a basic structure and arrangement for your song.
  • Experiment with different sounds, instruments, and effects.
  • Mix and master your track to make it sound professional.
Create a Tutorial or Blog Post About Ableton Live
Solidify your understanding of Ableton Live by creating a tutorial or blog post about it.
Browse courses on Content Creation
Show steps
  • Choose a topic that you're knowledgeable about and that would be helpful to others.
  • Create an outline for your tutorial or blog post.
  • Write or record your content, making sure to be clear and concise.
  • Edit and proofread your work before publishing it.

Career center

Learners who complete Ableton Live 11 - Music Production in Ableton Live will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Here are nine courses similar to Ableton Live 11 - Music Production in Ableton Live.
Ableton Live 12 - Music Production in Ableton Live
Most relevant
Ableton Live 11 for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide
Most relevant
Electronic Music Production with Ableton Live
Most relevant
Ultimate Ableton Live 12, Part 5: Producing with Effects
Most relevant
Ultimate Ableton Live 12, Part 1: Production Principles
Most relevant
Ultimate Ableton Live 12, Part 3: Producing Music with...
Most relevant
Introduction to Ableton Live
Most relevant
Ultimate Ableton Live 9: Part 5 - MIDI & Audio Effects
Most relevant
Ultimate Ableton Live 12, Part 4: Sound Design & Synthesis
Most relevant
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2024 OpenCourser