When you enroll through our links, we may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. This helps keep our platform free and inspires us to add more value.

Music
SkillShare logo

Songwriting in Ableton Live (or any Audio Application)

Unlock creativity with Skillshare! Learn acrylic painting, AI writing, graphic design, and photography.

     
  • 4.9
    •  |
  • Reviews ( 162 )
Free
Songwriting in Ableton Live (or any Audio Application)

Related Courses

This Course Includes

  • iconskillshare
  • icon4.9 (162 reviews )
  • icon3 hours 49 minutes
  • iconenglish
  • iconOnline - Self Paced
  • iconcourse
  • iconSkillShare

About Songwriting in Ableton Live (or any Audio Application)

Introduction

What We are Covering Here

Tools You Will Need for This Class

My Approach in this Class

How MIDI Works

Why MIDI?

MIDI Setup in Live

MIDI Controllers

Using the MIDI Grid

Making it "Real"

Overdubbing Real Instruments

What is a songwriting Palette?

Building a Library of Samples

Building a Library of Drum Sounds and Loops

Building a Library of Synths

Setting "favorites"

Building a Template Session

What is a Sketch?

Example Sketch

Developing the Sketch

Try this in Session View!

Expanding the Sketch

"Don't fall in love with your work!"

Starting to Bring the Track into Focus

Using Locators for Form

Don't Get Married to the Form. Let it Take on a Mind of its Own.

How is our Track Coming so Far?

Preparing for the Second Stage

Thinking About Sound Design

Track Update

Thinking About Lyrics

What is the Message of the Music?

What Clues are in the Music?

Do you Need to Adjust the Key for the Singer?

What Kind of Drum Sounds do we Want?

Finding Drum Sounds

FreeSound

Programming Basics

Swing and Feel

Let's Really Focus in on Those Synths.

Register and Frequency Things to Consider

The Bass Sounds

Fixing "Real" Sounds

Making the Samples Sound Better

Setting up to Record

Recording Violin

Editing For Pitch

Mixing Principals

Balancing By Ear

Balancing By Noise

Fine Tuning

Creating Depth

Creating Space with EQ

Re-Balancing

What Actually is Mastering?

The Best and Easiest Way to Master a Track

Using a Rack Preset

"Printing" the Master

What Comes Next?

Bonus Lecture

What You Will Learn?

  • Welcome to Songwriting in Ableton Live (Or Any Audio Application!).
  • In this class, we are going to write a song together. We will start with just messing around on the keyboard until we find an idea, then we will work on the song structure, form, sound design, and end with mixing it and a discussion about mastering the track. Beginning to end - step by step!.
  • 100% Answer Rate! Every single question posted to this class is answered within 24 hours by the instructor. .
  • This class is for anyone who has an interest in songwriting. Especially:.
  • Aspiring Songwriters: If you have never written a song before, but you want to learn how its done, this course is for you..
  • Songwriters: If you are a traditional songwriter, but want to expand your palette by using electronic elements, or just help recording your songs, this course is for you..
  • Musicians: If you have wanted to improve your compositions by understanding how the writing with audio software works, this course is for you..
  • Producers: Improve your tracks by gaining a deeper understanding of form, sketching, structure, and development..
  • In this class, we start with the very basics of songwriting and work all the way up to a finished song. I'll walk you through every step of the process and explain the logic behind every decision I make..
  • The goal of this class is for you to learn how to make original, compelling, and memorable-sounding music..
  • Software:This course is NOT specific to any DAW program..
  • I'll be using Ableton Live Suite 10 in this course as my main DAW, but if you are using any other program you will be able to follow along just fine. That includes Logic, FL Studio, Pro Tools, Reaper, Reason, Cubase, or any of the others. My method in this class is to teach concepts, so whatever I do, you will be able to do it in your own software.Genre:I'm best known for working with electronic music, but I've designed this course to be as inclusive as possible when it comes to genre. We will talk about songwriting techniques for all genres, sounds, and styles. All genres are welcome here!.
  • Topics Covered: .
  • The Essential Tools of Songwriting.
  • Working with MIDI.
  • MIDI Controllers, Keyboards, and Guitars.
  • Overdubbing real instruments.
  • Defining a Sound "Palette".
  • Building a Library of Samples.
  • Building a Library of Synths.
  • Building a Library of Drum Sounds and Loops.
  • Sketching.
  • Developing a Sketch.
  • Expanding a Sketch.
  • Defining Form.
  • Lyrics.
  • Drum Programming.
  • Sound Design Elements.
  • Synthesizers.
  • Recording "real" Instruments.
  • Mixing.
  • Balancing.
  • Tuning Recordings.
  • Mastering.
  • And much, much more!.
  • If you are ready to start making professional-sounding songs, this is the class that will start you on that journey. Get started today..
  • Dr. Allen is a university music professor and is a top-rated instructor - with nearly 100 courses and over 200,000 students. .
  • In 2017 Star Tribune Business featured him as a "Mover and a Shaker," and he is recognized by the Grammy Foundation for his music education classes. .