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Jason Allen

This course is "5-Star Certified" by the International Association of Online Music Educators and Institutions (IAOMEI). This course has been independently reviewed by a panel of experts and has received a stellar 5-star rating.

100% Answer Rate. Every single question posted to this class is answered within 24 hours by the instructor.

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This course is "5-Star Certified" by the International Association of Online Music Educators and Institutions (IAOMEI). This course has been independently reviewed by a panel of experts and has received a stellar 5-star rating.

100% Answer Rate. Every single question posted to this class is answered within 24 hours by the instructor.

For years I've been teaching Ableton Live in the college classroom. As a University Professor, my classes are sought after, and, frankly, expensive. I believe Ableton Live can be learned by anyone, and cost shouldn't be a barrier. This class uses the same outline and syllabus I've used in my college classes for years, at a fraction of the cost.

This is Part 1: The Interface.

I will be making 6 (six. ) complete classes in order to bring you the most comprehensive manual on Ableton Live production techniques ever created. Each class has Sets, sessions, and experiments for you to try on your own and follow along with.

And of course, once you sign up for Part 1 - The Interface, you automatically get huge discounts on all the upcoming parts (the next 5. ) of this class.

You will not have another opportunity to learn Ableton Live in a more comprehensive way than this. Start here.

J. Anthony Allen is an Ableton Certified Trainer and a Ph.D. in Music Composition and master of Electronic Sounds. His music has been heard internationally in film, radio, video games, and industrial sound, as well as the concert hall and theater.

He currently is an adjunct professor of composition at the University of St. Thomas, Macphail Academy of Music, and the CEO of Slam Academy in Minneapolis.

Praise for other classes by J. Anthony Allen:

  • "Dr. Allen does it again with his music theory for electronic musicians series. This course really opened up everything I learned from the 1st section and now I understand more about the composition side of things for music. I highly highly recommend this course to anyone. Really opened my eyes to many things I wasn't aware of."

  • "The Best Teacher Ever, who makes you understand the ins & outs of Music Theory by all mean without giving what you don't want to know."

  • "I have never had any formal training in music at all. Trying to learn all the notes and how everything translated was a serious challenge. After going thru this class, Dr. J has totally brought down the barriers. The content was very useful and was easy to grasp for me."

Enroll now

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Navigate 100% of ableton live
  • Work in the session view and arrangement view of ableton live
  • Record audio, midi, and understand live's signal flow

Syllabus

In this first section, we will talk about the general objectives of this class: To get a firm footing on the basic layout and functions of Ableton Live.
Read more

An overview of what will be covered in this class, and how I'll be covering it. This is the first class in a super comprehensive series of classes. At the end of this class I'll give you the goods to get you moving into the second class.

Asking Questions

One of the first things that stumps a lot of people about Ableton Live is the two different views. It isn't as weird as you think! Let me help you wrap your head around it - starting here.

First, we will look at Arrangement view. If you have used any other audio program, this view will look a bit familiar.

Session View is where Ableton Live gets unique. You won't find this in any other program. Once you understand how it works, it is incredibly fun to use.

Live is full of little boxes on the screen. In this section we are going to look at what is in each of those little boxes, and how to use them.

Getting around Ableton Live can be confusing at first. Here we will talk about the main layout, what to look for, and how to find help.

Info View is our first window we will look at. This window holds the secrets to Live - and tells you everything you need to know.

Help View is a little browser built-in to Ableton. It has lessons, sessions (sets), and all kinds of useful stuff. Check it out!

In this lesson we will look at production workflow in Live. This is something that can take a little getting used to, but once you get comfortable with it, you will moving through Live very quickly.

The main sequencer window in Arrangement view is, if you have used another audio program, a familiar timeline-based layout. It has a few things that are different, so in this lesson we will explore how it works in detail.

The Session View is probably the most foreign element in Live to most people. In this lesson we will look at navigating it, and the biggest part of it, the Clip Slot Grid.

Clip View is the big rectangle at the bottom of the screen, and it contains a lot of info. The trick to Clip View is knowing that it can show you different things depending on what you are doing.

In this section we will walk through how to record in Live. Recording is one of the most asked-for requests I get when students are learning Live.

A few tips and tricks when it comes to adding content to Ableton Live.

Getting around inside the Preferences window is key to making sure all of your settings are correct. In this lesson I'll show you how to set everything up.

The Browser is how we can quickly navigate all our files without leaving Live. Like most things in Live, once you get comfortable with it, it can really speed up your workflow.

There are a few tricks to the signal flow in Live - that is, the route audio goes once it enters the program.

Finally - Recording! Now that we are all setup, and know how audio is moving through Live, in this lesson we will do a little recording.

"Record to Arrange" is a way of recording Session view into Arrangement view. In this lesson, I'll show you!

In this lesson I'm going to walk through this whole Ableton Live Set that we've been looking at for the last few sessions. I'll explain everything I see, in hopes that you pickup on anything you missed, some vocabulary, and just to reinforce what you've learned so far.

Now that we have something recording, we need to be able to Edit. In this section I'll show some editing features as a way to explore the program even more.

In this lesson we will talk broadly about the basic editing features of Live.

One of the most basic functions in Live is Looping clips. In this lesson we will look at how that works in the timeline (Arrangement View).

Quantizing is a way to "snap" our MIDI notes to a grid, to clean up our sloppy playing (and for other reasons). In this lesson, I'll show you how to do it!

Automation is how to program changes in any parameter over time. Want the volume to go up in a section? Thats automation. Want a filter to start opening after the drop? Thats automation.

Possibly one of the most unique features in Live is the Groove Pool. In this video I'll show you what its for, and how to use it.

In this lesson I'm going to walk through another Ableton Live Set that we've been looking at for the last few sessions. I'll explain everything I see, in hopes that you pickup on anything you missed, some vocabulary, and just to reinforce what you've learned so far.

Remember that this is only the beginning. There is so much more to learn with Ableton Live.

We've only scratched the surface!

Part 2 of this class? Oh yes - coming soon!

How to get started in Ultimate Ableton Live: Part 2 - Recording and Warping

Some extra content that I thought you would enjoy!

Figuring out the difference between Plugins and Instruments. We tackle that in this lesson. (This is an excerpt from Ableton 4: Synths and Samplers)

You might be familiar with MIDI clips, but in this segment we will do another quick review to make sure we are all on the same page.

Attached here is a big big big list of all the Ableton key commands. Its huge.

I've had a lot of questions from people who just want to dive right in to recording audio in Ableton Live. The best answer to this question is to take my Ultimate Ableton Live 2: Recording and Warping class. But for those of you that just want the basics, here is a video that will get you up to speed.

There is so much more to learn!

Ableton Live 10 Preview
Live 10: Session View
Live 10: Wavetable Synth

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Develops foundational skills in Ableton Live, including navigation, recording, editing, and automation
Starts with a firm footing on the basic layout and functions of Ableton Live and gradually builds on that foundation
Taught by J. Anthony Allen, an Ableton Certified Trainer and a Ph.D. in Music Composition
Covers topics such as recording audio and MIDI, understanding signal flow, and using workflow features
Provides comprehensive instruction with sets, sessions, and experiments for hands-on learning
Part of a series of classes that provide a comprehensive curriculum on Ableton Live production techniques

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Save Ultimate Ableton Live 9: Part 1 - The Interface & The Basics to your list so you can find it easily later:
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Reviews summary

Highly recommended ableton guide

According to students, this course is a highly recommended introduction to Ableton Live 9. The course is well taught and well structured, making it a useful resource for anyone new to the software.
The course is very clear and well explained.
"Very clear, well explained and structured course, thus far."

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 Ultimate Ableton Live 9: Part 1 - The Interface & The Basics with these activities:
Intro to Ableton Live - Interface
Review the skills you already know to make the course material easier to understand.
Browse courses on Ableton Live
Show steps
  • Watch the provided video on the course interface.
  • Take notes on the different sections of the interface.
  • Try to identify the different tools and their functions.
Review Basic Music Theory
Review basic concepts to strengthen your foundational understanding of music, which will aid in comprehending advanced Ableton Live techniques.
Browse courses on Music Theory
Show steps
  • Revisit the basics of scales, intervals, and chords.
  • Study common music notation symbols and their meanings.
  • Practice identifying major and minor keys by ear.
Practice Keyboard Shortcuts
Familiarize yourself with keyboard shortcuts to navigate Ableton Live efficiently, saving time and increasing productivity.
Browse courses on Keyboard Navigation
Show steps
  • Study the official Ableton Live keyboard shortcut list.
  • Practice using shortcuts during your Ableton Live sessions.
  • Create cheat sheets or flashcards for quick reference.
One other activity
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all four activities
Create a Mashup or Remix
Challenge yourself by creating a mashup or remix that fuses elements from different tracks, demonstrating your understanding of Ableton Live's tools and your creativity.
Browse courses on Remixing
Show steps
  • Select two or more tracks that complement each other.
  • Import the tracks into Ableton Live and experiment with blending them.
  • Use Ableton Live's effects and tools to create transitions and add your own creative touches.

Career center

Learners who complete Ultimate Ableton Live 9: Part 1 - The Interface & The Basics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Musician
Musicians play instruments, sing, or compose music. They may perform live, record in studios, or teach music to students. Those who wish to be a Musician can benefit from this course as it can help them master Ableton Live, a digital audio workstation. Mastering Ableton Live can help Musicians who want to produce their own music.
Composer
Composers write music for a variety of purposes, including film, television, video games, and live performance. They use their knowledge of music theory and composition techniques to create pieces that evoke emotion and support the story or action. Those who wish to be a Composer can benefit from this course as it can help them master Ableton Live, a digital audio workstation. Mastering Ableton Live can help Composers who wish to create electronic music or who wish to integrate electronic music elements with more traditional composition.
Music Teacher
Music Teachers teach music to students of all ages. They may work in schools, private studios, or community centers. Those who wish to be a Music Teacher can benefit from this course as it can help them master Ableton Live, a digital audio workstation. Mastering Ableton Live can help Music Teachers who want to teach their students about electronic music production.
Sound Designer
Sound Designers create and manipulate sounds for all manner of media, including film, television, and video games. They use their knowledge of sound design software and recording equipment to produce effects that help enhance and support the overall production. Those who wish to be a Sound Designer can benefit from this course as it provides the basic knowledge and skills needed to operate Ableton Live, a digital audio workstation. This course will provide foundational knowledge needed for a career in this field.
Music Producer
Music Producers work with artists to record, mix, and master songs. They use their technical knowledge to capture the artist's performance and vision and bring it to life in the studio. Those who wish to be a Music Producer can benefit from this course as it provides the knowledge and skills one needs to operate Ableton Live, a digital audio workstation. This course will provide foundational knowledge needed for a career in this field.
Audio Engineer
Audio Engineers work in studios to mix and master the music being produced there. Using their knowledge of music theory, digital audio workstations, and studio equipment, they ensure that the final product is as close to the artist's vision as possible. Those who wish to be an Audio Engineer can benefit from this course as it provides the basic knowledge and skills needed to operate Ableton Live, a digital audio workstation. This course will provide foundational knowledge needed for a career in this field.
Music Therapist
Music Therapists use music to help people improve their physical, emotional, and cognitive health. They work with a variety of clients, including children, adults, and seniors. Those who wish to be a Music Therapist can benefit from this course as it can help them master Ableton Live, a digital audio workstation. Mastering Ableton Live can help Music Therapists who want to incorporate electronic music into their practice.
Audiovisual Technician
Audiovisual Technicians set up and operate audio and visual equipment for events, productions, and installations. They work with a variety of equipment, including microphones, speakers, projectors, and lighting. Those who wish to be an Audiovisual Technician can benefit from this course as it can help them master Ableton Live, a digital audio workstation. Mastering Ableton Live can help Audiovisual Technicians who want to learn more about audio production.
Live Sound Engineer
Live Sound Engineers operate and maintain the sound systems used for live events, such as concerts and festivals. They work with a variety of equipment, including microphones, speakers, and mixers. Those who wish to be a Live Sound Engineer can benefit from this course as it can help them master Ableton Live, a digital audio workstation. Mastering Ableton Live can help Live Sound Engineers who want to learn more about audio production.
Broadcast Technician
Broadcast Technicians operate and maintain the equipment used to broadcast radio and television programs. They work with a variety of equipment, including cameras, microphones, and transmitters. Those who wish to be a Broadcast Technician can benefit from this course as it can help them master Ableton Live, a digital audio workstation. Mastering Ableton Live can help Broadcast Technicians who want to learn more about audio production.
Recording Engineer
Recording Engineers operate and maintain the equipment used to record audio. They work with a variety of equipment, including microphones, preamps, and recorders. Those who wish to be a Recording Engineer can benefit from this course as it can help them master Ableton Live, a digital audio workstation. Mastering Ableton Live can help Recording Engineers who want to learn more about audio production.
Music Software Developer
Music Software Developers design and develop software for music production and performance. They work with a variety of programming languages and technologies to create software that meets the needs of musicians and producers. Those who wish to be a Music Software Developer can benefit from this course as it can help them master Ableton Live, a digital audio workstation. Mastering Ableton Live can help Music Software Developers who want to learn more about the technical aspects of music production software.
Music Librarian
Music Librarians organize and catalog music collections for libraries and other institutions. They work with a variety of music formats, including books, scores, and recordings. Those who wish to be a Music Librarian can benefit from this course as it can help them master Ableton Live, a digital audio workstation. Mastering Ableton Live can help Music Librarians who want to learn more about the technical aspects of music production.
Music Journalist
Music Journalists write about music for a variety of publications, including magazines, newspapers, and websites. They interview musicians, review albums, and cover music industry news. Those who wish to be a Music Journalist can benefit from this course as it can help them master Ableton Live, a digital audio workstation. Mastering Ableton Live can help Music Journalists who want to learn more about the technical aspects of music production.
Arts Administrator
Arts Administrators manage the business and operational aspects of arts organizations, such as theaters, museums, and music venues. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including artists, staff, and patrons. Those who wish to be an Arts Administrator can benefit from this course as it can help them master Ableton Live, a digital audio workstation. Mastering Ableton Live can help Arts Administrators who want to learn more about the technical aspects of music production.

Reading list

We've selected eight books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Ultimate Ableton Live 9: Part 1 - The Interface & The Basics.
The manual by Ableton will provide in-depth information covering every feature and function of Ableton. Ableton’s built-in help files offer a quick way to learn more about a specific feature or function within Live.
Covers general concepts of electronic music production and contains helpful tips. This book will help with the application of tools and workflow to improve your understanding.
Provides general knowledge of music theory and provides examples that are applicable to electronic music. Use this book as additional reading.
Is for learning about mastering audio techniques.
Read this book for more information on audio engineering.

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