Introduction to Ableton Live

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Introduction to Ableton Live

This course is part of multiple programs.

Instructor: Erin Barra

91,272 already enrolled

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3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

1,121 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

1,121 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Navigate Ableton Live
Program MIDI drums and instruments
Record and edit audio, including working with preexisting audio loops
Create a piece of music using MIDI and audio within Ableton Live

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

9 assignments

Taught in English

98%

Most learners liked this course

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There are 3 modules in this course

In this Ableton Certified Training Center course from Berklee Online, you’ll learn the core tools of Ableton Live so that you can start composing, producing, and performing your own music. By the end of the three weeks, you’ll be able to create complete tracks using professional workflows in one of today’s most widely used DAWs.

You’ll explore Live’s most powerful and useful functions, including MIDI programming, audio recording, warping, looping, editing, mixing, and live performance. Designed for beginners, this course will provide you with a strong foundation to take your musical ideas from conception to final recording. The course breaks down the many barriers of entry into music technology and encourages you to create fearlessly. Note: If you do not own Ableton Live 10, you can download the free, fully featured Ableton Live Trial. The trial version will allow you to save and export your work for 30 days. If you use the trial version, do not download it until the course is scheduled to begin.

Welcome to Introduction to Ableton Live! First, we will cover all the details about the course and what you'll need to know to get the most out of your experience. Then, I'm going to demonstrate how to get set up in Live, whether you have an audio interface or just your computer. We'll also look at saving and submitting your sessions, devices, MIDI drums, and MIDI synths.

What's included

12 videos5 readings3 assignments1 peer review2 discussion prompts

12 videosTotal 70 minutes

Welcome to the Course1 minute
What You'll Learn in Module 11 minute
Overview of Ableton Interface6 minutes
Setting Up Hardware and Software5 minutes
Overview of Non-Linear Functionality6 minutes
MIDI Sequencing18 minutes
Audio Clips3 minutes
Clip Properties7 minutes
Session View and Arrangement View9 minutes
Quick Tips6 minutes
Creating and Exporting an Arrangement3 minutes
Troubleshooting4 minutes

5 readingsTotal 39 minutes

Course Resources10 minutes
Earn A Course Certificate10 minutes
Connect with Your Classmates5 minutes
Download Your FREE Ableton Live Trial10 minutes
Understanding Practice Exercises4 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 55 minutes

Module 1 Graded Assignment30 minutes
Self-Assessment: Practice Exercise #115 minutes
Review: Getting Our Hands Dirty10 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 90 minutes

Practice Exercise #1: Composing with MIDI90 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 10 minutes

Meet and Greet5 minutes
Getting Started in Ableton5 minutes

In this module, we'll be moving from MIDI to audio and implementing effects, which will give your sessions even more personality and depth. We'll also be diving into Audio Warping, which is one of Ableton's most powerful functionalities and is the cornerstone of remixing.

What's included

7 videos1 reading3 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt

7 videosTotal 54 minutes

What You'll Learn in Module 20 minutes
Recording Audio9 minutes
Warping and Stretching13 minutes
Sampling11 minutes
Audio and MIDI9 minutes
File Management8 minutes
Quick Tips4 minutes

1 readingTotal 5 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 50 minutes

Module 2 Graded Assignment 30 minutes
Self-Assessment: Practice Exercise #210 minutes
Review: Recording and Editing Audio10 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Practice Exercise #2: Working with Audio and MIDI60 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 5 minutes

Audio vs. MIDI5 minutes

In this final module, we're going to dive into some more advanced production techniques, the very basics of mixing, and I'll get into some valuable information regarding file management and troubleshooting. Hopefully with this new information you'll be able to tie together a lot of what we've learned in the past two weeks and bring your music to the next level.

What's included

11 videos2 readings3 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt

11 videosTotal 56 minutes

What You'll Learn in Module 30 minutes
Audio Effects5 minutes
Serial vs Parallel5 minutes
MIDI Effects5 minutes
Max for Live Devices5 minutes
Mixing12 minutes
Automation10 minutes
MIDI Mapping8 minutes
Quick Tips3 minutes
Final Project Overview2 minutes
Course Wrap-Up0 minutes

2 readingsTotal 15 minutes

Ableton Live Features10 minutes
Are you looking for more?5 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 46 minutes

Module 3 Graded Assignment26 minutes
Self-Assessment: Practice Exercise #310 minutes
Review: The Endless Possibilities10 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 120 minutes

Practice Exercise #3: Create a Composition in Ableton Live120 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 5 minutes

Preparing for Your Final Composition5 minutes

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Instructor

Instructor ratings

(97 ratings)

Erin Barra

Berklee

1 Course91,272 learners

Offered by

Berklee

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Showing 3 of 1121

Reviewed on Sep 20, 2016

Great for getting me started. I feel much more confident in navigating my way around the Ableton workspace. Using blend has opened me up to some wonderful ideas and opportunities :)

Reviewed on Apr 24, 2020

Good course to explore Abelton but be aware it focuses heavily on the midi side of things and doesnt spend to much time on audio. That being said I still got a lot out of it,

Reviewed on Jun 29, 2018

Great first introduction into Ableton. Very clear and structured unlike a lot of the free tutorials out there. I would love to see a part 2 of this course that goes into more advanced topics.

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