Lecture: 4 hours/week
Lecture/demonstration. Students will work alongside the instructor, either in the large studio or Technology Lab. Students will be expected to complete regular assignments and projects outside of class time. These can be done in the lab, the studio, or at home.
Getting Started with Ableton Live:
- An Overview of Ableton Live
- Live's User Interface
- Introduction to the Arrangement View
- The Aesthetics of Music Production
- Music Production Analysis
Exploring the Session View:
- An Introduction to the Session View
- Launching Individual Clips in the Session View
- Launching Clips from Tracks and Rows
- Key and MIDI Map Mode
Song Production: Part 1 (Introduction and A Section)
- Developing a Song Production (First Steps)
- Adding Clips (Creating an Intro Scene)
- Audio Clip Properties
- Adding and Modifying Clips (Creating a Second Scene)
- Clip Launch Programming
Song Production: Part 2 (B Section, Variation, and End)
- New Song Sections
- Creating the Breakdown Section
- Variation of A
- The Ending
- Clip Envelopes
- Creative Clip Envelope Editing
Song Production: Part 3 (Adding Effects)
- Effect Processing in Live
- Setting Up Effects
- Determining Where Effects Are Needed
- Effects as Inserts
- Effects on Return Tracks
- Audio Effect Racks
- Creative Possibilities Using Built-in Effects
Song Production Part 4: (The Arrangement View)
- Session View Recording to the Arrangement View
- Using Locators
- Editing in the Arrangement View
Song Production Part 5: (Creating a Vocal Track and Mixdown)
- Adding a Vocal Sample
- Mix Automation
- Rendering the Live Demo 2 Song Mix
- MP3 File Format
Creating an Original Live Production: Part 1 (Establishing Style)
- The Production Process: Establishing Style
- Designing Parts
- Working with MIDI
- Live's Software Instruments
- Making Beats
- Drum Racks
- Slicing
- REX Files
- File Management
Creating an Original Live Production: Part 2 (Developing the Groove)
- Instrument Racks
- Creating a Groove
- Developing a Song Section
- Using the Session View to Develop a Song Section
- Building a Scratch Vocal
- Higher Fidelity Audio
Creating an Original Live Production: Part 3 (Expanding the Sound Palette/Perfecting Musical Parts)
- Expanding the Sound Palette
- Designing Sounds for the Blue Nova Trip Hop Production
- Sound Sources
- Submixes
- Finalizing Musical Elements
Creating An Original Live Production: Part 4 (Song Arrangement and Mix)
- Song Form
- Developing The Arrangement
- Refining the Arrangement
- The Aesthetics of Mixing
- Mixing the Production
Other uses fore Ableton Live
- Remix Production
- Video Production
- Stage Performance
- The Akai APC40
- MAX for Live
Successful students should be able to work unassisted with Ableton Live software, and will understand and be able to apply the following:
- Getting Started with Ableton Live
- Exploring the Session View
- Song Production: Part 1 (Introduction and A Section)
- Song Production: Part 2 (B Section, Variation, and End)
- Song Production: Part 3 (Adding Effects)
- Song Production: Part 4 (The Arrangement View)
- Song Production: Part 5 (Creating a Vocal Track and Mixdown)
- Creating an Original Live Production: Part 1 (Establishing Style)
- Creating an Original Live Production: Part 2 (Developing the Groove)
- Creating an Original Live Production: Part 3 (Expanding the Sound Palette/Perfecting Musical Parts)
- Creating An Original Live Production: Part 4 (Song Arrangement and Mix)
- Other uses for Ableton Live
Assessment will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy.
The following is an example evaluation scheme:
| Tests or assignments (minimum of 2) | 30% |
| Midterm Project | 25% |
| Final Project | 35% |
| Professionalism | 10% |
| Total | 100% |
Professionalism is assessed on consistent attendance, punctuality, taking responsibility for deadlines, constructive and considerate inter-personal communication and contribution to class discussion and group work.
No texts or materials are required. All required hardware and software for the completion of assignments and projects is available in the studio.
None