In September of 2012 Dubspot visited Seattle’s famous Decibel Festival, where we caught up with electronic music pioneer Robert Henke (better known as Monolake, co-developer of Ableton Live) to discuss the past, present and future of Ableton, sound synthesis, music composition, and more.

Click here to view the embedded video.

In our interview the co-creator of Live gave a brief overview of how the program was conceived and discussed the importance of the more recent development of Max For Live, which allows users to program in Cycling 74’s Max directly inside Ableton.

We also visited his Decibel Festival workshop, Sound Spaces and Machines, where he compared music synthesis and physical modeling, and talked about why physical modeling is important in the creation of expressive music. He also emphasized the importance of simplicity and minimalism in the production process, while delivering a sobering message about the overuse of compression in electronic music which he calls “evil”.

Robert Henke/Monolake - www.monolake.de

Decibel Festival - www.dbfestival.com

Ableton - www.ableton.com

Henke’s interest in the combination of art and technology is further evident in his contributions to the development of the music software ‘Ableton Live’. For more than a decade since Ableton’s founding in 1999, he has been central to the development of Live, which became the standard tool for electronic music production and completely redefined the performance practice of electronic music.

He writes and lectures about sound and the creative use of computers, and holds a professorship in sound design at the Berlin University of Arts.

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The post Robert Henke aka Monolake Dubspot Interview: Sound Synthesis, Ableton + @ Decibel appeared first on Dubspot Blog.

Click here to view the embedded video.

In this video, Dubspot students talk about their experiences participating in our 3-month intensive Ableton Live Producer Certificate Program in which students learn how to create, record, produce, and perform music using Ableton Live. The students discuss their individual background, how they discovered Dubspot and what they’ve learned from our talented and versatile instructors DJ Kiva, Jon Margulies, and Adam Partridge.

This program is about learning Ableton Live by going through the entire process of being an artist, by developing your own sound through a series of sketches and experimentation. You will also learn the ins and outs of this powerful software through a series of exercises designed to help you master the steps involved in producing your own music. After a level of getting familiar with the tools that Ableton has to offer, you will then develop your sonic ideas into full length songs – one per level. You will be exposed to a variety of approaches to arrangement and composition, storytelling techniques, ways of creating tension and drama in your music. At the end of the day, it is the sum total of your choices as an artist that define your sound, and levels 2 – 6 will give you the experience of actually completing tracks to add to your portfolio.

Our music production program is custom-tailored to fit your musical style. You can choose from several Digital Audio Workstations including Ableton Live, Logic Pro, or Propellerhead’s Reason.

After completing this program, you will leave with 4 completed tracks (EP), a remix entered in an active contest, a scored commercial to widen your scope, and the Dubspot Producer’s Certificate in Ableton Live.

What’s Included:

• Ableton Live Level 1: Shake Hands with Live
• Ableton Live Level 2: Completing Your First Track
• Ableton Live Level 3: Production Essentials
• Ableton Live Level 4: Sound Design & Instrumentation
• Ableton Live Level 5: Advanced Composition & Production
• Ableton Live Level 6: Taking Your EP Global

“So far the experience through Dubspot is incredible, and I can’t wait to go through the next levels. It’s just getting better each week, and I can not wait to start putting an EP together, not just being able to put a successful track together!” - Dan Carter, United Kingdom

Start dates and information about payment plans can be found here.

Or if you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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The post Video: Ableton Live Producer Program @ Dubspot – Course Reviews / Student Experience! appeared first on Dubspot Blog.

Dubspot guest blogger Josh Spoon rounds up three useful Max for Live devices that bring dynamic visuals to your Ableton Live performance.

Max for Live is a programming environment that allows developers to create instruments, effects, and all sorts of utilities for Ableton Live. Originally introduced as an add-on for Live 8, Max for Live is now included with Live 9 Suite. Since I’ve been performing a lot lately, I’ve been downloading various Max for Live devices to enhance my shows with visuals. Here’s are a few that I’ve found recently. They’re great, easy to use, and free!

Ganz Graf Mod X

Ganz Graf Mod X, developed by Synnack, is a simple reactive video generator that works within Live. It reacts to audio and can be put on any track, though the Master track is best. With just a few parameters, you can set and manipulate shapes, alter their color and position, and determine how much they move in space. I would not say it replaces a VJ, but if you don’t have one, it’s a quick and easy way to enhance your live performance. Invest three minutes playing with Ganz Graf Mod X, and you’ll wow people at your next local show.

VIZZable 2

VIZZable 2 is a modular VJ suite containing over 20 devices for real-time manipulation of live or prerecorded video. Multiple layers of video can be mixed and processed with effects to create rich collages. I particularly enjoy the dirtyfeedr and fisheye modules. VIZZable 2 has been rebuilt from the ground up so the devices run on your computer’s GPU (which is optimized for graphics) instead of the CPU, resulting in much faster performance.

Zeal did a great job on this suite. Don’t underestimate it–it’s probably powerful enough to create an entire music video.  It must have taken an enormous amount of work to complete VIZZable 2, so if you enjoy it, make a donation!

MotionMod 1.0

MotionMod 1.0, also developed by Zeal, is a motion detector device. It’s driven by your webcam and can be mapped to any parameter in your Live Set. This can be used in many situations. For example, let’s say you hop around a lot during your set. With MotionMod, your hops and head bobs can make changes to an effect. It has an adjustable threshold and a few other parameters that allow you to determine if the changes are subtle or extreme.

Dubspot guest blogger Josh Spoon is an Ableton Live veteran, blogger, drummer, music producer and live performer. Josh has a residency with the eclectic Los Angeles electronic music collective Space Circus, performing every first Wednesday of the month, and just released his first concept EP of grooving low-end originals entitled Man on Mars.

Music Production w/ Ableton Live

From the studio to the stage, learn to use Ableton Live to create, record, produce, and perform your music. Learn about linear and improvisational styles of producing electronic music as we help you master the software’s innovative interface.

After completing this program, you will leave with four completed tracks (an EP), a remix entered in an active contest, a scored commercial to widen your scope, and the Dubspot Producer’s Certificate in Ableton Live.

What’s Included:

• Ableton Live Level 1: Shake Hands with Live
• Ableton Live Level 2: Completing Your First Track
• Ableton Live Level 3: Production Essentials
• Ableton Live Level 4: Sound Design & Instrumentation
• Ableton Live Level 5: Advanced Composition & Production
• Ableton Live Level 6: Taking Your EP Global

Start dates and information about payment plans can be found here.

Or if you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

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The post 3 Max for Live Devices to Add Visuals to Your Performance: Ganz Graf Mod X, Vizzable 2, MotionMod appeared first on Dubspot Blog.

In this post, Dubspot blogger Josh Spoon investigates four unique Max for Live devices that can help add new life to the sounds you love, including Harmonic Runner, Spektro Nucleation, Buffer Shuffler 2.0, TransientDesigner.

If you’ve been making electronic music for a while, you have probably accumulated quite a few samples and loops. Some of them you may overuse, while others just sit on your hard drive. Today I will share four unique Max for Live devices to help you add new life to the sounds you love, and reinvent the ones you hate.

Harmonic Runner

Click here to view the embedded video.

Harmonic Runner by Amazing Noises is a spectral device. A spectral device divides up the frequencies of the incoming sound, and processes them individually. Harmonic Runner is based around three “spectral LFOs” (Amplitude, Feedback, Delay), which take sections of the frequency spectrum and modulate effects based on tempo or free timing. It’s a unique way of applying effects to different frequencies over time. Harmonic Runner can create shimmering,  unearthly tones and costs only $10 USD.

Buffer Shuffler 2.0

Buffer Shuffler, one of the Max for Live Essentials, is an effects step sequencer with a lot of depth. With independent  sequencers for  pitch, frequency shifting, stutter, step reverse and more, Buffer Shuffler can take an ordinary loop and breathe new life into it, or completely destroy it.

Some seasoned Max for Live users may remember Buffer Shuffler 1.0, but when upgrading to 2.0 you get a great new interface, pattern storage, and many different ways to transform sequences using the Dice button. Spend a little time with Buffer Shuffler and you will be amazed how many loop variations you can generate.

Transient Designer

Transient Designer, created by David Braun, sculpts the envelope of a sound to enhance or suppress peaks and decays. This is good for drums that may need more punch, or horns in a remix that have too much attack and not enough sustain. No only does Transient Designer allow you to modify the the attack and release volume, it gives you sensitivity and time controls for fine tuning the envelope shaping. So, the next time your kicks aren’t cutting through the mix, give Transient Designer a go–it’s free.

Spektro Nucleation

Click here to view the embedded video.

Spektro Nucleation by Spektro Audio is a waveshaper and bitcrusher inspired by the Eurorack module WMD Geiger Counter. It comes with 255 factory waveforms for reshaping your audio, and if that’s not enough, you can modify and create your own with the included Wave Studio. For additional flexibility, a toggle next to the Bit Depth knob  gives you the option to swap the position of the waveshaper and bitcrusher.

Specktro Nucleation is a device you can really get lost in–just fire off a loop and begin switching through the wavetables. It can add nasty grit to bass lines, and give your synths a more analog feel. For any given sound, you’ll find that some waves work better then others, but with over 255 you can’t go wrong. You can pick up Specktro Nucleation for $4.

Dubspot guest blogger Josh Spoon is an Ableton Live veteran, blogger, drummer, music producer and live performer. Josh has a residency with the eclectic Los Angeles electronic music collective Space Circus,performing every first Wednesday of the month, and just released his first concept EP of grooving low-end originals entitled Man on Mars.

Ableton Live Producer Certificate Program

The flagship of our music training, with every Ableton Live course offered at the school. After completing this program, you will leave with a portfolio of original tracks, a remix entered in an active contest, a scored commercial to widen your scope, and the Dubspot Producer’s Certificate in Ableton Live.

What’s Included:

• Ableton Live Level 1: Beats, Sketches, and Ideas
• Ableton Live Level 2: Analyze, Deconstruct, Recompose, and Assemble
• Ableton Live Level 3: Synthesis and Original Sound Creation
• Ableton Live Level 4: Advanced Sound Creation
• Ableton Live Level 5: Advanced Effect Processing
• Ableton Live Level 6: Going Global with your Music

This program is about learning Ableton Live by going through the entire process of being an artist, by developing your own sound through a series of sketches and experimentation. You will also learn the ins and outs of this powerful software through a series of exercises designed to help you master the steps involved in producing your own music. After a level of getting familiar with the tools that Ableton has to offer, you will then develop your sonic ideas into full-length tracks. You will be exposed to a variety of approaches to arrangement and composition, storytelling techniques, ways of creating tension and drama in your music. At the end of the day, it is the sum total of your choices as an artist that define your sound, and levels 2 – 6 will give you the experience of actually completing tracks to add to your portfolio.

Start dates and information about payment plans can be found here.

Or if you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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The post Max for Live Device Roundup! Spektro Nucleation, Harmonic Runner, Buffer Shuffler 2.0, TransientDesigner appeared first on Dubspot Blog.

Drums are a key ingredient of just about any track you make, regardless of  genre (except a capella, ambient, and other beat-less genres, of course!).  Here are five Max for Live devices to add some sparkle and groove to your beats.

Palmas

Palmas by SUFI PLUG INS creates rich claps that would take you some time and layering to do yourself. This well-designed device, from DJ/producer, writer, and musician Jace Clayton, has only five parameters: number of hands, synchronization of the hands, pitch, stereo spread and velocity. Don’t let this simple-looking device fool you–you can create everything from Motown to trap claps with this free device.

The Beatdown

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Beatdown by Sonic Faction is a ten-kit, multi-sampled, analog-style Drum Rack with Macros and effect Racks for tweaking the sounds. It also comes with a custom step sequencer that makes it easy to program beats and tweak velocity, groove, and note length from the APC40, Launchpad, or Push. The Beatdown sells for $25.

Drum Synths

Drum Synths, from the free Max for Live Essentials pack, is a collection of 13 synthesized drum and percussion instruments that are great sounding, but also versatile enough to make sound effects, leads, and even bass sounds. These drum synths can produce sounds similar to the Dave Smith Tempest. In addition to the basic controls for customizing the sound, each instrument also features an advanced panel with 16 parameters that can be modulated based on note velocity–this can add  a lot of character to the sounds. Use one of the presets, or start from scratch and program drums with a nice analog synth feel.

Sample Layer

Click here to view the embedded video.

Sample Layer by Tom Cosm is a free utility device that speeds up you drum production, making it easy to navigate through your Drum Rack samples to choose the right sound for each drum. You can select up to six samples to layer, or let Sample Layer choose them for you with it’s randomizer. Also, each of the six samples can be independently delayed and lengthened for a more natural feel. For more information on navigating large numbers of samples in a Drum Rack, watch The Last Drum Rack You’ll Ever Have to Make.

Instant Haus

Click here to view the embedded video.

Instant Haus by Alexkid is a free device that generates (you guessed it!) house beats. Instant Haus offers a lot of control with separate kick, snare, hi-hat, and percussion sections. Each section allows you to tweak the pattern, swing, velocity, and note.

While the loop is playing, your keyboard can be used to trigger different combinations of patterns and randomizations to keep the beat interesting. Though it was created for house music, I set a BPM of 92 and found a pattern that was nice for hip hop. Take a moment to check it out!

Dubspot blogger Josh Spoon is an Ableton Live veteran, blogger, drummer, music producer and live performer. Josh has a residency with the eclectic Los Angeles electronic music collective Space Circus,performing every first Wednesday of the month, and just released his first concept EP of grooving low-end originals entitled Man on Mars.

Ableton Live Producer Certificate Program

The flagship of our music training, with every Ableton Live course offered at the school. After completing this program, you will leave with a portfolio of original tracks, a remix entered in an active contest, a scored commercial to widen your scope, and the Dubspot Producer’s Certificate in Ableton Live.

What’s Included:

• Ableton Live Level 1: Beats, Sketches, and Ideas
• Ableton Live Level 2: Analyze, Deconstruct, Recompose, and Assemble
• Ableton Live Level 3: Synthesis and Original Sound Creation
• Ableton Live Level 4: Advanced Sound Creation
• Ableton Live Level 5: Advanced Effect Processing
• Ableton Live Level 6: Going Global with your Music

This program is about learning Ableton Live by going through the entire process of being an artist, by developing your own sound through a series of sketches and experimentation. You will also learn the ins and outs of this powerful software through a series of exercises designed to help you master the steps involved in producing your own music. After a level of getting familiar with the tools that Ableton has to offer, you will then develop your sonic ideas into full-length tracks. You will be exposed to a variety of approaches to arrangement and composition, storytelling techniques, ways of creating tension and drama in your music. At the end of the day, it is the sum total of your choices as an artist that define your sound, and levels 2 – 6 will give you the experience of actually completing tracks to add to your portfolio.

Start dates and information about payment plans can be found here.

Or if you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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The post Max for Live Drum Devices Roundup! Sufi Plug Ins Palmas, The Beatdown, Sample Layer, Instant Haus, and Drum Synths appeared first on Dubspot Blog.

Mutant Synth Pack

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Mutant Synth Pack includes three synths and a step sequencer designed for use with Push: The Clone, Puls8or and Rouge-One (sampled from the Roland SH-101, Waldorf Pulse+, and Sequential Circuits Pro-One), and the Mutant Step Sequencer.

The Mutant Step Sequencer, a Max for Live device, turns Push into a custom-built sequencer for these three synths. With it’s eight preset pages, you can easily edit accents, octaves, note length, and legato slides from the pads. In addition, the sequencer can automate up to four parameters at a time using “Sequence Modulation,” which is great for getting hands-on, pad-based tweaking in the studio and live.

The best part of the Mutant Step Sequencer is the Spiral Pattern Generator. It generates crazy patterns and spectacular color animations based on the pad you press. If you love working with pads over encoders, then go and grab this pack for $40 and you will not be disappointed.

Clyphx 2

Click here to view the embedded video.

Push setting start at around 2:30

Clyphx 2 by nativeKontrol is a MIDI Remote Script that enables control of many aspects of Live from clips. For example, Clyphx makes it possible to store Push’s current key in a Live Set, something that’s not possible otherwise. Download and see what other features Clyphx offers, all for free.

Push CCs

Click here to view the embedded video.

PushCCs is a Max patch that converts the aftertouch messages generated by Push’s pads into CC messages. This lets you use the  pads like encoders. Map your macros to the pads and you’ll have poly pressure effects at your fingertips. There is also an option to hold your effects in place by using one of the corner pads as a latch.

(Sidenote: I recently mentioned to Aaron Levitz my wish that Push User Mode would allow me to tweak effect parameters from the pads (like I used to with my Trigger Finger). Aaron responded three hours later with PushCCs.)

PXT Live

Click here to view the embedded video.

PXT-Live, developed by nativeKontrol, is a set of scripts to expand Push’s control of Ableton Live. (to MPC nerds: if Push was the MPC, PXT-Live is JJOS). One great thing about PXT-Live is that you can use its features alongside the default Ableton features. Here are a few things it can do: live clip chopping, control Live’s audio routing, remap encoders, and edit the touch strip. Between the native features and those added by PXT-Live, there isn’t much you can’t do from the Push hardware. PXT-Live works for Mac and PC and is $19.50.

PXT-General

Click here to view the embedded video.

PXT-General is the newest application from nativeKontrol. This app adds even more value to Push by allowing it to work with other DAWs like Reaper, Reason and Logic. PXT-General offers deep control over Push’s controls, from setting up specific CC messages and remapping, to capturing keystrokes to recall from Push. PXT-General also makes User Mode more pleasant by stopping the touch strip and encoders from sending notes when touched, along with a host of other customization features.

Dubspot blogger Josh Spoon is an Ableton Live veteran, blogger, drummer, music producer and live performer. Josh has a residency with the eclectic Los Angeles electronic music collective Space Circus,performing every first Friday of the month, and just released his first concept EP of grooving low-end originals entitled Man on Mars.

Ableton Live Producer Certificate Program

The flagship of our music training, with every Ableton Live course offered at the school. After completing this program, you will leave with a portfolio of original tracks, a remix entered in an active contest, a scored commercial to widen your scope, and the Dubspot Producer’s Certificate in Ableton Live.

What’s Included:

• Ableton Live Level 1: Beats, Sketches, and Ideas
• Ableton Live Level 2: Analyze, Deconstruct, Recompose, and Assemble
• Ableton Live Level 3: Synthesis and Original Sound Creation
• Ableton Live Level 4: Advanced Sound Creation
• Ableton Live Level 5: Advanced Effect Processing
• Ableton Live Level 6: Going Global with your Music

This program is about learning Ableton Live by going through the entire process of being an artist, by developing your own sound through a series of sketches and experimentation. You will also learn the ins and outs of this powerful software through a series of exercises designed to help you master the steps involved in producing your own music. After a level of getting familiar with the tools that Ableton has to offer, you will then develop your sonic ideas into full-length tracks. You will be exposed to a variety of approaches to arrangement and composition, storytelling techniques, ways of creating tension and drama in your music. At the end of the day, it is the sum total of your choices as an artist that define your sound, and levels 2 – 6 will give you the experience of actually completing tracks to add to your portfolio.

If you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

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The post Dubspot Overview: Ableton Push Software Devices! Mutant Synth Pack, Clyphx 2, Push CCs, PXT Live, PXT-General appeared first on Dubspot Blog.

In this week’s music tech news roundup: Korg announces a new ARP Odyssey, James Murphy develops a Turnstile Symphony for New York, play a Theremin in your web browser, hack your Volca Beats, and more! 

Korg to Develop a New ARP Odyssey

Korg are continuing to dominate the analog synth market with a big announcement this month: the company will be re-releasing the classic ARP Odyssey synthesizer for release later in 2014. From the press release:

KORG INC. is proud to announce that a faithful recreation of the legendary 1970s analog synthesiser, the ARP Odyssey, is being developed by Korg for release later in 2014. The ARP Odyssey was released in 1972 by ARP Instruments, Inc. and quickly became famous for its unique rich sound and innovative performance controls. It was a staple for many recording and performing musicians worldwide and was used on countless hit records over many years.The Odyssey was one of the highlights of the ARP company and became a long selling product. With slight updates and improvements it was sold through to 1981.

For an in-depth look at why you should care about the ARP Odyssey, check out this Sound on Sound piece from 1997 by Gordon Reid.

 Volca Beats Snare Mod

Click here to view the embedded video.

YouTube user Darren Glen has introduced one of the first modifications that we’ve seen for the Korg Volca Beats. This MOD changes the sound of the snare drum on the Beats, which many users seem to prefer. Glen explains,”the mod makes for a much cleaner and useable snare than the distorted rubbish that the KVB is shipped with, and the addition of the triangle sound mod to the hats gives some nice variation to the unit as well.”  The above video features an audio demonstration followed by a tutorial on how to make the modification yourself.

James Murphy’s Subway Symphony

LCD Soundsystem frontman and NYC sound guru James Murphy is on a mission to improve the sonic landscape of New York City with his new Subway Symphony project. The project aims to tune the turnstiles at subway stations so that they play musical notes when people walk through them. This would be a change from the current cacophony that can be heard underground in many NY transit stations.

“They make this unpleasant beep and are all slightly out of tune from one another,” Murphy explained to the Wall Street Journal this week. “Every time you swipe your MetroCard, the turnstile emits a flat, unpleasant “beep”.  Each turnstile emits its own beep, all of which are slightly out of tune with one another, creating a dissonant rubbing-styrofoam-on-glass squeak in stations all around New York City.  It’s kind of horrible,” continues Murphy.

Murphy’s solution is to tune each of the turnstiles so that they play musical sequences, as he explains on the Subway Symphony website:

“What i propose to do is to create a series of 3 to 5 note sequences, all unique, one for each station in the subway system.  These sequences will be part of an intersecting larger piece of music, which would run from station to station, and cross one another as, say, the 4, 5, 6 line (one musical piece) intersects with the L, N, R, Q and W (another musical piece) at Union Square.  At each turnstile in Union Square, as you tap your new tap and ride card, a pleasant bell tone will sound, in one of a set of possible notes, all related to that station’s note sequence.  The effect would be that at the busiest times, like rush hour, what was once cacophony would now be music.”

Xeno Chord Explorer – Free Max For Live Plug In

Thanks to Synthtopia, we found developer Rick Burnett’s Xeno – Chord Explorer this week. It’s a free Max for Live chord plug in that looks like a lot of fun for creating new and interesting harmonies.

“I’ve spent a great deal of time looking through all the available chord plugins in VST, AU and M4L formats and just never really found what I was looking for,” explains Burnett on his site. “Most chord exploration programs either have non-generative fixed chord patterns per key (Cthulu) or chord generation that is based on the full 12 note scale and deals in semitones (Nordmann Chord Generator or Ableton Live MIDI chord plugin).  There is nothing wrong if that’s how you like to work, and you can use a note quantizer after the chord generator.  That said, I wanted a chord generator that generated all chords in key with varying chord sizes very easily.  I  do not come from a keyboard/piano background and I don’t like getting lost in theory while I write music.  This is the perfect tool to really get into exploring chords in all sorts of ways.  Even further, pairing it with Ableton Live’s arpeggiator and you REALLY have a lot of flexibility in what you can do.”

Download Xeno – Chord Explorer Here

OP1 / Analog Four Cookbook iBook

Click here to view the embedded video.

Author Neil Ritchie has released two iBooks this week in “cookbook” form – one for Teenage Engineering’s OP1 and one for Elektron’s Analog Four synthesizer. Each book is $4.99 and available through iTunes. The A4 book in particular looks like it’s getting nice reviews from users.

Theremin in a Web Browser

Peter Kirn of CDM recently tipped us to the Web Audio Theremin by Luke Phillips of Femur Design.

“The web audio theremin is a touch friendly & responsive audio synthesizer built in javascript using the Web Audio API with HTML5 canvas. As the user interacts with the screen synthesized sounds are generated in the style of a moog theremin and the canvas displays a visual representation of the audio.” - Luke Phillips of Femur Design

“Theremin” is a loose term here. In terms of continuous pitch control and amplitude control, each on a separate axis, it counts. Of course, it lacks the gestural input mechanism that sort of is the whole point of a Theremin. Then again, if you’re good with your mouse/trackpad, you might be able to fake it. – Peter Kirn

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The post Music Tech News Roundup: Korg ARP Odyssey, James Murphy’s Turnstile Symphony, Volca Beats MOD + appeared first on Dubspot Blog.

Dubspot contributor Josh Spoon explains how to sidechain frequencies in Ableton Live by using the Max for Live Envelope Follower device. 

Many people love the rhythmic pulse of sidechaining a pad or vocal to a kick drum. Though, sometimes you may not want to sidechain or duck the whole sound, but instead you want to sidechain certain frequencies that get in the way. In this tutorial I will show you how to sidechain specific frequencies and create rhythmic equalization.

You will need Ableton Live 9 Suite and Max for Live Essentials to complete this tutorial.
I have provided a starter pack for you. You can download it here.

When you open the Dubspot-Sidechain-Freq-Tutorial.als file you will see two MIDI tracks with a kick and a bass.

 Let’s play both clips.

If you select the Kick track and look at the Spectrum you will see that a majority of the kick’s energy is between  50 – 200hz (hertz).

Now let’s look at the Bass track. Looking at the Spectrum on the rebuilt Live 9 EQ, you see the Bass takes up a lot of the frequency spectrum including a lot of the low end.

Traditionally to keep the Bass from getting in the way of the kick we would sidechain the bass so when the kick hits the volume of the Bass goes down as a whole. Using the Max for Live Envelope Follower to sidechain you can preserve the volume of the frequencies that do not compete with the kick drum.

First thing we need to do is navigate to the Max For Live category in the browser and type “Envelope Follower”

Then drag “Envelope Follower.amxd” to your Kick track and you will see that the Envelope Follower is registering the amplitude of the kick.

Now let’s go back to our Bass to set up the the EQ. Let’s select Filter 1 on the EQ and change the “Freq” to 120hz and the Q (Resonance) at 0.71. This will help the EQ of the bass duck where most of the kick’s power is located.

Listen to the clips again. Begin to move the “Gain” of Filter 1 between 0db and -15db simulating a ducking effect and listen for how the sound of the kick and bass are changing. It’s subtle but subtle is the difference between a good low end and a great low end.

Next let’s make an Audio Effects Rack, it will give us greater control over the frequency ducking we are creating. See my other article, 4 Reasons To Build Your Own Ableton Live Racks! Dynamic Controller Integration and More to learn more about the power of racks.

Right click on the Bass EQ and select “Group”

We will then right click Filter 1′s gain and select “Map to Macro 1″

To get greater control over the the ducking of the Bass set the Min to 0db and the Max to -15db to the newly auto-named “1 Gain A”.

Click on the Kick track and select “Map” the Envelope Follower.

We will then select the Bass track and then click the “1 Gain A” on the rack to map the Envelope Follower from the Kick to the EQ gain of the Filter. You will know it worked if the 1 Gain A is grayed out.

Let’s listen to how the bass is being affected.

If you want the effect to be more present you can increase the gain of the Envelope Follower. Listen for some of the power of the bass dipping as the rest of the frequencies stays as the kick hits. This will he heard more clearly with headphones or on a sound system with good bass response.

Here is the track with the Envelope Follower at +10db

Here is the frequency ducking at 1k. You can feel the pumping of the Bass and the thump of the kick a little more.

This technique is great for mixing and as an effect because you get more control then a compressor. Experiment with the other parameters like Rise, Fall and Delay on the Envelope Follower as well as the frequency and Q of 1 Gain A to hear the rhythmic effects of ducking different frequencies.

In the Live Pack I’m including an extra kick track with two Envelope Followers and a rack with two frequencies to sidechain at two frequency points. Download the Live Pack here. You don’t have to just sidechain sounds to Kicks; you can sidechain any sound to another sound. The options to creating unique tones with this technique are limitless. I hope this gives you a new tool to create new sonic textures to aid you in your productions.

Dubspot blogger Josh Spoon is an Ableton Live veteran, blogger, drummer, music producer and live performer. Josh has a residency with the eclectic Los Angeles electronic music collective Space Circus,performing every first Friday of the month, and just released his first concept EP of grooving low-end originals entitled Man on Mars.

Ableton Live Producer Certificate Program

The flagship of our music training, with every Ableton Live course offered at the school. After completing this program, you will leave with a portfolio of original tracks, a remix entered in an active contest, a scored commercial to widen your scope, and the Dubspot Producer’s Certificate in Ableton Live.

Click here to view the embedded video.

What’s Included:

• Ableton Live Level 1: Beats, Sketches, and Ideas
• Ableton Live Level 2: Analyze, Deconstruct, Recompose, and Assemble
• Ableton Live Level 3: Synthesis and Original Sound Creation
• Ableton Live Level 4: Advanced Sound Creation
• Ableton Live Level 5: Advanced Effect Processing
• Ableton Live Level 6: Going Global with your Music

This program is about learning Ableton Live by going through the entire process of being an artist, by developing your own sound through a series of sketches and experimentation. You will also learn the ins and outs of this powerful software through a series of exercises designed to help you master the steps involved in producing your own music. After a level of getting familiar with the tools that Ableton has to offer, you will then develop your sonic ideas into full-length tracks. You will be exposed to a variety of approaches to arrangement and composition, storytelling techniques, ways of creating tension and drama in your music. At the end of the day, it is the sum total of your choices as an artist that define your sound, and levels 2 – 6 will give you the experience of actually completing tracks to add to your portfolio.

If you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

Dubspot NYC Open House: Sundays 11:00am and 12:00pm

Ask questions. Watch demos. Test drive workstations.

Anyone who comes by will have the opportunity to ask our instructors in-depth questions about our programs, curriculum and philosophy, and watch live music production and DJ demos. You can even sit down at one of our workstations and take it for a test drive. If you are still trying to decide what you are looking for, we suggest you stop by one of our Open Houses to learn more about the school, understand what the learning process at Dubspot entails and help you decide what is best for you. We can also help with scheduling details and payment options.

Click here to view the embedded video.

/files/2014/03/Sidechain_Freqs_Thumb_11.jpg

The post Ableton Live Tutorial: Sidechain Frequencies with Max for Live Envelope Follower appeared first on Dubspot Blog.

Dubspot blogger Josh Spoon introduces five useful Max for Live – Ableton devices including Autotune, Push Pack for Aftertouch, Modular Series, PushMLR, and MultiMapTurnado. 

Autotune

Click here to view the embedded video.

If you are looking for Auto-Tune on the cheap, look no further then Autotune by He Runs Hundreds. It’s not as feature rich as the industry standard, so I wouldn’t recommend it on your next pop star demo. But you can turn your voice into an interesting instrument while also doing some pitch correction. Getting Kanye-like pitch correction and much more is definitely attainable with Autotune. Autotune is currently available for $11.

Push Pack for Aftertouch

Click here to view the embedded video.

Aftertouch is a device released by Subaqueous with the help of Chris Schlyer and Icaro Ferre. It was created to give you more control over aftertouch on Push, Quneo, or frankly any keyboard with aftertouch. Aftertouch has two flavors available in a package called Push Pack for Aftertouch; one is (aq) Aftertouch Threshold and the other is Aftertouch Delay. These allow you to either smooth out aftertouch pressure or delay the attack and release of aftertouch. Push Pack for Aftertouch is available for free.

Modular Series

Click here to view the embedded video.

Modular Series by Isotonik Studios is a collection of Max for Live utilities to ease and enhance your production and performance workflow. All of these devices are midi mappable allowing you to rely less on your mouse, once setup. The series includes:

PushMLR

Click here to view the embedded video.

PushMLR by yop44 is a simple Max for Live device that mimics the mlr script for Monome, allowing dynamic sample cutting of audio clips. PushMLR works with up to four clips on two tracks viewable at a time. Each row on Push is equal to one clip. It works by dividing the clip’s possible start position by 8 so they can be triggered on Push. Changing the global or clips quantization settings will change the frequency of PushMLR’s triggering to get loose or tight sample chopping. Setting loop points through PushMLR would be a great addition for this device, but it is great with the current features and is completely free.

MultiMapTurnado

Click here to view the embedded video.

MultiMapTurnado by Niels Poensgen mimics the effect blending feature of Sugarbytes’ Turnado with Ableton Live effects. You control up to eight parameters at once by setting boundaries to automate when each will turn on, it’s modulation and when it will turn off. This works similar to Ableton Live rack’s chain selector but with the ease of quick mapping and a OneKnob already setup to change all eight parameters. Grab this free device especially if you are looking for new ways to have fun with your Live effects.

Dubspot blogger Josh Spoon is an Ableton Live veteran, blogger, drummer, music producer and live performer. Josh has a residency with the eclectic Los Angeles electronic music collective Space Circus, performing every first Friday of the month, and just released his first concept EP of grooving low-end originals entitled Man on Mars.

Ableton Live Producer Certificate Program

The flagship of our music training, with every Ableton Live course offered at the school. After completing this program, you will leave with a portfolio of original tracks, a remix entered in an active contest, a scored commercial to widen your scope, and the Dubspot Producer’s Certificate in Ableton Live.

Click here to view the embedded video.

What’s Included:

• Ableton Live Level 1: Beats, Sketches, and Ideas
• Ableton Live Level 2: Analyze, Deconstruct, Recompose, and Assemble
• Ableton Live Level 3: Synthesis and Original Sound Creation
• Ableton Live Level 4: Advanced Sound Creation
• Ableton Live Level 5: Advanced Effect Processing
• Ableton Live Level 6: Going Global with your Music

This program is about learning Ableton Live by going through the entire process of being an artist, by developing your own sound through a series of sketches and experimentation. You will also learn the ins and outs of this powerful software through a series of exercises designed to help you master the steps involved in producing your own music. After a level of getting familiar with the tools that Ableton has to offer, you will then develop your sonic ideas into full-length tracks. You will be exposed to a variety of approaches to arrangement and composition, storytelling techniques, ways of creating tension and drama in your music. At the end of the day, it is the sum total of your choices as an artist that define your sound, and levels 2 – 6 will give you the experience of actually completing tracks to add to your portfolio.

If you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

Dubspot NYC Open House: Sundays 11:00am and 12:00pm

Ask questions. Watch demos. Test drive workstations.

Anyone who comes by will have the opportunity to ask our instructors in-depth questions about our programs, curriculum and philosophy, and watch live music production and DJ demos. You can even sit down at one of our workstations and take it for a test drive. If you are still trying to decide what you are looking for, we suggest you stop by one of our Open Houses to learn more about the school, understand what the learning process at Dubspot entails and help you decide what is best for you. We can also help with scheduling details and payment options.

Click here to view the embedded video.

/files/2014/04/Max_4_Live_Thumb_2.jpg

The post Max for Live Device Roundup: Autotune, PushMLR, MultiMapTurnado, Push Pack, and More! appeared first on Dubspot Blog.

At Moogfest 2014, Dubspot caught up with Baltimore-based electronic musician and performer Dan Deacon and visual artist Patrick McMinn to talk about their live performance and how they use Ableton Live and Max for Live to control lights and visuals for their show.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Baltimore-based electronic music composer and performer Dan Deacon is best known crafting joyful and infectious experimental electronic pop and delivering ecstatic live performances that thrives on crowd participation and interaction. His live performances are a explosion of pure energy whether with an ensemble or solo with an array of electronics. Dan Deacon is a wonderful performer and if you get the opportunity to catch him live, don’t miss it.

Dubspot caught up with Dan Deacon and visual artist Patrick McMinn at Moogfest 2014 to talk about live performance and how they utilize Ableton Live, Max for Live, and various tools to process and control lights and visuals in their show. Deacon and McMinn have been collaborating and programming visuals since the release of America, Deacon’s latest album which came out in 2012.

Dan Deacon biography by Rob Theakston c/o All Music:

Equally influenced by diverse artists like Devo, Talking Heads, Scratch Orchestra, Raymond Scott, and Conlon Nancarrow, electronic music composer Dan Deacon studied electro-acoustic and computer music composition at Purchase College in New York. While he was a student, he issued his first recordings in small runs on CD-R, including Green Cobra Is Awesome vs. the Sun, Silly Hat vs. Egale Hat (yes, “Egale”), and Meetle Mice, all released in 2003. He later moved to Baltimore, MD, and became an instant figurehead of the city’s fledgling electronic music community, joining the Wham City collective and evangelizing his and his fellow whimsical peers’ “future shock” output. Linking up with the Carpark label, he released Spiderman of the Rings (2007) and Bromst (2009), two albums filled with hyperactive and often challenging electronic detritus. In 2012, Deacon signed on with indie label Domino Records, who released his most mature and wistful album, America, later that year.

Ableton Live Producer Certificate Program

The flagship of our music training, with every Ableton Live course offered at the school. After completing this program, you will leave with a portfolio of original tracks, a remix entered in an active contest, a scored commercial to widen your scope, and the Dubspot Producer’s Certificate in Ableton Live.

Click here to view the embedded video.

What’s Included:

• Ableton Live Level 1: Beats, Sketches, and Ideas
• Ableton Live Level 2: Analyze, Deconstruct, Recompose, and Assemble
• Ableton Live Level 3: Synthesis and Original Sound Creation
• Ableton Live Level 4: Advanced Sound Creation
• Ableton Live Level 5: Advanced Effect Processing
• Ableton Live Level 6: Going Global with your Music

This program is about learning Ableton Live by going through the entire process of being an artist, by developing your own sound through a series of sketches and experimentation. You will also learn the ins and outs of this powerful software through a series of exercises designed to help you master the steps involved in producing your own music. After a level of getting familiar with the tools that Ableton has to offer, you will then develop your sonic ideas into full-length tracks. You will be exposed to a variety of approaches to arrangement and composition, storytelling techniques, ways of creating tension and drama in your music. At the end of the day, it is the sum total of your choices as an artist that define your sound, and levels 2 – 6 will give you the experience of actually completing tracks to add to your portfolio.

More start dates and information about payment plans can be found here.

If you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

Visual Performance Program

In this program you will explore the role of the visualist and prepare for the challenges you may face in a live show, while learning the basics of performing, producing, and manipulating visual content. You will also develop a deeper understanding of the history of visual performance, referencing the history of the performing arts and expanded cinema.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Dubspot’s Visual Performance curriculum was designed by V Owen Bush and Benton-C Bainbridge of Glowing Pictures, a company they founded together in 2004. Bush and Bainbridge are pioneers of live visual performance, with an extensive list of collaborators and credits including work with the Beastie Boys, Pauline Oliveros, Animal Collective, Flying Lotus, Four Tet, Grace Jones, Kanye West, and Moby, to name a few. They have presented their work across five continents, at venues like the Whitney Museum of American Art, Museum of Modern Art, Lincoln Center, Madison Square Garden, the American Museum of Natural History, SFMOMA, the Mercat des les Flors (Barcelona), LUX2006 (Sevilla), Auditorium Parco della Musica (Roma), Sonic Light (Amsterdam), Wien Modern (Vienna), Inventionen (Berlin), and the Teatro Colón CETC (Buenos Aires). Over the years they have innovated and helped to develop tools and techniques for visual performance, collaborating with the software design company Vidvox LLC to develop live video software including VDMX, the central application used in the course.

Visual Performance Program start dates:

July 14, 2014 in NYC – Mondays, 6:15–9:00pm
November 17, 2014 in NYC – Mondays, 6:15–9:00pm
March 15, 2015 in NYC – Mondays, 6:15–9:00pm

If you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

NYC Open House: Sundays 11am & 12pm

Ask questions. Watch demos. Test drive workstations.

Anyone who comes by will have the opportunity to ask our instructors in-depth questions about our programs, curriculum and philosophy, and watch live music production and DJ demos. You can even sit down at one of our workstations and take it for a test drive. If you are still trying to decide what you are looking for, we suggest you stop by one of our Open Houses to learn more about the school, understand what the learning process at Dubspot entails and help you decide what is best for you. We can also help with scheduling details and payment options.

Click here to view the embedded video.

/files/2014/05/Dan_Deacon_Blog_2.jpg

The post Dubspot @ Moogfest 2014: Dan Deacon and Patrick McMinn talk Ableton, Max For Live, Performance, and More! appeared first on Dubspot Blog.

Dubspot blogger Josh Spoon introduces four useful Max for Live devices including Dub Machines, NES4L, Key Launch, and Sting!

Dub Machines

Click here to view the embedded video.

Dub Machines is the first release by Surreal Machines and boy did they come out the gate strong with two analog-inspired Max for Live effects: Magnetic and Diffuse.

Magnetic is a digital recreation of analog delay/reverb that sounds a bit like the Roland Space Echo. You get the wow and flutter, multiple tape heads and dub stylings, and you can reverse the tape heads as well. There’s also a great set of reverbs including convolution, spring, plate, and halls variations with parallel, post and pre-processing routing.

Diffuse is a brilliant sound design tool that uses a digital feedback network to affect sound. You can create wild build up effects similar to Pink Floyd’s intro to “Breath”, buzzy long tailed Transformer (Movie) sound effects and even Dark Knight-like brass tones.

Through the internal sends you can create great feedback loops while changing different modes to change the internal workings of Diffuse with the Rectify slider, and push the Regen knob (feedback) to self-oscillation and back with the twist of a knob. Surreal Machines also gives you low and high frequency dampeners to treat your diffusion to your personal taste.

These units can add shimmering tones, raw out of control delays, and add character to your tracks if used either sparingly or freely. In the Live Pack you get the two devices, Demo Sets, Samples and dozens of Insert and Send presets. Dub Machines is well worth the $39 and is available on the Ableton site.

NES4L

Click here to view the embedded video.

Sting!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Sting! is an acid style music generator by Skinnerbox. It works by simply pressing on the happy face to start a pattern and then pressing again to start another. It’s that simple and fun.

You get a few parameters to spice up patterns. Density is used to affect the note length, Length to set the patterns loop length, Low Vel for setting the lowest volume, Swing and Transpose. This gives you a variety of patterns to work with. Partner with Instant Haus and you can have some nice generative electronic music. This device is great for novice and pros alike.

Sting! is available as a free download on the Skinnerbox site.

Key Launch

Key Launch by Mark Towers is simple but efficient; it turns your QWERTY keyboard in to a clip launcher with an interface that is floatable none the less. You get access to up to 10 tracks (1-0) and 9 clips (W-P) at a time as well as easily scroll through your clips using your bracket keys ([ and ]) .

Single clips or even scenes can be toggled  right from Key Launch. There is also a key to disable for using the QWERTY keyboard as a MIDI keyboard. Ableton gives you the ability to set up clip launching through keyboard mappings but not as quick and dynamic as Key Launch. Save yourself some time get it free here.

Steps

Click here to view the embedded video.

Steps is the latest release in developer Yehezkel Raz‘s 2 years of free effects and Max for Live devices. Steps is actually four Max for Live devices (StepsBPM, StepsParameters, StepsTracks, and Steps Transport) that allows you to change Live parameters by small increments, all by mapping up and down arrows to your computer keyboard or MIDI controller.

StepsBPM gives you the ability to increase or decrease at increments of .1-10 BPM. Great for subtle to drastic BPM changes in live performances.

StepsParameter and StepsParameterMIDI gives you step by step parameter changes to any mappable parameters in Live. You also can set a min/max to hone in on the sweet spot of your parameters.

StepsTracks is a great device for those who don’t have easy access to selecting their tracks from a MIDI controller. StepsTracks lets you select left and right through your tracks with the option arm, auto arm and keep armed as you tab through your tracks.

StepsTransport lets you jump back and forth by one beat or bar. You can definitely get some great rhythmic sample chopping going with this device.

Steps puts the power of some of the most used features of Live within the reach of 2 fingers. Get Steps free on the 4Live.me website.

Dubspot blogger Josh Spoon is an Ableton Live veteran, blogger, drummer, music producer and live performer. Josh has a residency with the eclectic Los Angeles electronic music collective Space Circus, performing every third Friday of the month, and just released his first concept EP of grooving low-end originals entitled Man on Mars.

Ableton Live Producer Certificate Program

Upcoming Course Start Dates. Register today!
6/16, 7/21, 8/4 (NYC) 
6/16, 6/21, 6/22, 9/22, 10/5 (LA)
6/6 (Dubspot Online, Space still available!)

The flagship of our music training, with every Ableton Live course offered at the school. After completing this program, you will leave with a portfolio of original tracks, a remix entered in an active contest, a scored commercial to widen your scope, and the Dubspot Producer’s Certificate in Ableton Live.

Click here to view the embedded video.

What’s Included:

• Ableton Live Level 1: Beats, Sketches, and Ideas
• Ableton Live Level 2: Analyze, Deconstruct, Recompose, and Assemble
• Ableton Live Level 3: Synthesis and Original Sound Creation
• Ableton Live Level 4: Advanced Sound Creation
• Ableton Live Level 5: Advanced Effect Processing
• Ableton Live Level 6: Going Global with your Music

This program is about learning Ableton Live by going through the entire process of being an artist, by developing your own sound through a series of sketches and experimentation. You will also learn the ins and outs of this powerful software through a series of exercises designed to help you master the steps involved in producing your own music. After a level of getting familiar with the tools that Ableton has to offer, you will then develop your sonic ideas into full-length tracks. You will be exposed to a variety of approaches to arrangement and composition, storytelling techniques, ways of creating tension and drama in your music. At the end of the day, it is the sum total of your choices as an artist that define your sound, and levels 2 – 6 will give you the experience of actually completing tracks to add to your portfolio.

If you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

Dubspot NYC Open House: Sundays 11:00am and 12:00pm

Ask questions. Watch demos. Test drive workstations.

Anyone who comes by will have the opportunity to ask our instructors in-depth questions about our programs, curriculum and philosophy, and watch live music production and DJ demos. You can even sit down at one of our workstations and take it for a test drive. If you are still trying to decide what you are looking for, we suggest you stop by one of our Open Houses to learn more about the school, understand what the learning process at Dubspot entails and help you decide what is best for you. We can also help with scheduling details and payment options.

Click here to view the embedded video.

/files/2014/06/Max_4_Live_June_2.jpg

The post Max for Live Device Roundup: Dub Machines, NES4L, Key Launch, Sting! appeared first on Dubspot Blog.

In this Ableton Live tutorial, Dubspot Curriculum Director and Instructor Chris Petti leads a workshop on creative uses of impulse response and convolution reverb using Max for Live. This video is an excerpt from a series of workshops Dubspot presented at Moogfest 2014 focusing on music production and performance with analog synthesizers.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Dubspot partnered with Moogfest to present a series of hands-on synth workshops at Moogfest 2014 in Asheville, North Carolina. These EDU Sessions focused on how to integrate analog with digital and use effects to further shape sounds. The workshops took place at the Asheville Masonic Temple. Our goal was to showcase the new creative possibilities of blending classic analog hardware with 21st century music production tools.

Ableton Live Tutorial – Convolution Reverb Using Max for Live

In this excerpt of a live tutorial workshop onSound Design and Ableton Live, Dubspot’s Chris Petti explains and demonstrates some creative uses of impulse response and convolution reverb in Ableton Live using Max for Live. Petti shares some advanced processing techniques and tips for transforming audio and shaping spaces.

Ableton Live Producer Certificate Program

Upcoming Course Start Dates. Register today!
7/21, 8/4, 8/25, 9/8 (NYC)
9/22, 10/5 (LA)
8/3 (Dubspot Online, Space still available!)

The flagship of our music training, with every Ableton Live course offered at the school. After completing this program, you will leave with a portfolio of original tracks, a remix entered in an active contest, a scored commercial to widen your scope, and the Dubspot Producer’s Certificate in Ableton Live.

Click here to view the embedded video.

What’s Included:

• Ableton Live Level 1: Beats, Sketches, and Ideas
• Ableton Live Level 2: Analyze, Deconstruct, Recompose, and Assemble
• Ableton Live Level 3: Synthesis and Original Sound Creation
• Ableton Live Level 4: Advanced Sound Creation
• Ableton Live Level 5: Advanced Effect Processing
• Ableton Live Level 6: Going Global with your Music

This program is about learning Ableton Live by going through the entire process of being an artist, by developing your own sound through a series of sketches and experimentation. You will also learn the ins and outs of this powerful software through a series of exercises designed to help you master the steps involved in producing your own music. After a level of getting familiar with the tools that Ableton has to offer, you will then develop your sonic ideas into full-length tracks. You will be exposed to a variety of approaches to arrangement and composition, storytelling techniques, ways of creating tension and drama in your music. At the end of the day, it is the sum total of your choices as an artist that define your sound, and levels 2 – 6 will give you the experience of actually completing tracks to add to your portfolio.

More start dates and information about payment plans can be found here.

If you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

NYC Open House: Sundays 11am & 12pm LA Open House: Sundays 12pm – 3pm

Ask questions. Watch demos. Test drive workstations.

Anyone who comes by will have the opportunity to ask our instructors in-depth questions about our programs, curriculum and philosophy, and watch live music production and DJ demos. You can even sit down at one of our workstations and take it for a test drive. If you are still trying to decide what you are looking for, we suggest you stop by one of our Open Houses to learn more about the school, understand what the learning process at Dubspot entails and help you decide what is best for you. We can also help with scheduling details and payment options.

Click here to view the embedded video.

/files/2014/07/Petti_Moogfest_Tutorial_Blog_1.jpg

The post Ableton Live Tutorial: Impulse Response and Convolution Reverb Using Max for Live w/ Chris Petti appeared first on Dubspot Blog.

Dubspot heads to Seattle’s Decibel Festival this month from September 24th to the 26th to join the music celebration with a series of workshops. Topics include everything from Sound Design to Music Production featuring Dubspot instructors Chris Petti, Adriano Clemente, and James Patrick.

Dubspot @ Decibel Festival 2014

EMP Museum
325 5th Avenue N 
Seattle, WA 98109

This year marks the 11 year anniversary of Seattle’s annual Decibel Festival, a five-day event taking place from September 24th through the 28th. In addition to an amazing lineup of artists from around the globe, Dubspot will be offering three full days of free EDU Sessions in partnership with Deicbel Festival. These EDU Sessions will cover a variety of topics including music production, sound design, modular synthesis and more. Check out the full schedule below along with more information about each workshop. See you in Seattle soon!

Decibel 2014 dB Conference

The 2014 dB Conference will be taking place September 24th through the 26th (12PM until 5:30PM) at the prestigious EMP Museum at Seattle Center; home of our will call/box office, opening gala, media lounge and several of our most anticipated evening concerts.

This year’s program will feature two state of the art seated venues (Level 3 and the JBL Theater) both running simultaneous activities ranging from audio/visual workshops, to panel discussions, to artist talks.

The 2014 dB Conference partners include Red Bull Music Academy, EMP Museum, Roland, Ableton, Dubspot, The Recording Academy, Splice, PlayNetwork, Livid Instruments, Resident Advisor, VDMX and more to be announced.

This is FREE for all. We will be reserving premium seating for festival pass holders, but all are welcome pending available space.

Wednesday September 24th

Connecting the DAWs - Hosted by Chris Petti | 12-1:00 PM
Explore effective workflows for combining two compatible ReWire DAWs together. The main focus of this workshop will be integrating Reason and Ableton Live, as this combination is used by countless artists and producers.

Max For Live – MIDI Effects and Audio Control Devices – Hosted by Adriano Clemente & James Patrick | 1:15 – 2:15 PM
In this workshop, we will explore a few devices within Max For Live that allow you to expand the functionality of Ableton Live’s onboard devices as well as third party VSTs and audio units.Mastering ReWire

Synth Secrets – Wavetable Synthesis Featuring Massive - Hosted by Chris Petti | 2:30 – 3:30 PM
In this workshop, we’ll be exploring the history, concepts & programming techniques of wavetable synthesis. We’ll be featuring the popular Native Instruments Massive synthesizer as well as Propellerhead Thor.

Control Voltage 101 – Modular Signals and Modulation Hosted by James Patrick | 3:45 – 4:45
Control Voltage is an electrical signal used to manipulate the values of components in analog circuits. In this workshop, we will cover the fundamentals of control voltage as it relates to modular synthesizer systems, and how to harness to power of CV to manipulate parameters of these synthesizers.

Thursday September 25th

Synth Secrets – Sampling for Electronic Music featuring Kontakt - Hosted by Chris Petti | 12-1:00 PM
In this workshop, we’ll be exploring the endless possibilities that advance sampling techniques allow in modern electronic music production. We’ll feature Native Instruments Kontakt and showcase some of the advanced synthesis capabilities it has under the hood.

Modular Synthesis in a Modern Studio - Hosted by James Patrick | 1:15 – 2:15 PM
Through the recent resurgence of modular synthesizers, new tools have been developed to help you integrate these synthesizers into your workflow. In this workshop, we will examine a few of these tools, including Silent Way.

Introduction to Native Instruments Reaktor - Hosted by Adriano Clemente | 2:30 – 3:30 PM
Reaktor allows for limitless possibilities of synthesizer and audio FX creation. In this workshop, we will be taking even the most novice of Reaktor programmers through the basics of building audio FX within Reaktor. No experience necessary.

Synth Secrets – FM Synthesis (FM8, Operator, PX7) - Hosted by Chris Petti | 3:30 – 4:00 PM
In this workshop, we will be exploring the history, concepts, and programming techniques of FM synthesis. We will be examining a few of the more popular software FM synthesizers including FM8, Operator, and the PX7.

Madrona Labs’ Kaivo and Soundplane – Hosted by James Patrick | 4:15 – 5:15 PM
Join James Patrick in examining the groundbreaking music making equipment and software from Madrona Labs.

Friday September 26th

Resampling to find Your Unique Sound - Hosted by Chris Petti | 12 – 1:15 PM
Join us for a workshop on incorporating resampling into your production workflow, and learn how to mangle your sounds in surprising and complex ways using the technique. The focus of this workshop will be resampling using Ableton Live’s Sampler Instrument.

Unconventional controllers (biofeedback, motion controllers) - Hosted by Adriano Clemente | 1:30 – 4:15 PM
In this workshop, Adriano Clemente we will be exploring some unique and unorthodox ways to control Ableton Live for live performance and composition.

Trivia Game – Ableton Trivia Panel – Hosted by James Patrick | 3:30 – 4:45 PM

Dubspot + Splice Event

Decibel Festival 2014

The 11th Annual Decibel International Festival of Electronic Music Performance, Visual Art and New Media will be taking place September 24th through the 28th across Seattle.

Founded in 2003, Decibel Festival has become a unique platform for exposing attendees to leading-edge multimedia art from around the globe. With a focus on live performance, interactive multimedia art, state-of-the-art sound and technology based education; Decibel has solidified itself as one of the premier electronic music festivals and promotional organizations in the world. The five-day festival program averages over 25,000 attendees a year.

Outside of the annual festival program, Decibel Productions producers over 70 events per year, ranging from intimate club performances to massive international festival stages. For more information visit our events page at http://dBFestival.com/events

2014 DECIBEL FESTIVAL LINEUP

*in alphabetical order
!!! DJs / 1979 feat. Deru + Effixx / Alessandro Cortini / Ali Demirel / Alice Boman / Ana Sia / Andy Stott / Anna Lunoe / Anna Langley / Anthony Parasole / Murcof + Simon Geilfus [Antivj] / Arca + Jesse Kanda / ASC / Atom™ / Avalon Emerson / Baryonyx / Baths / Bgeezy / Black Asteroid / Blue Hawaii / BRAIDS / Brian Lyons / Christopher Willits / Claptone / Clean Bandit / Cock & Swan / Com Truise / Danthon / Demdike Stare / Dense & Pika / Deru / DJ Spinn / DJAO / Douglas Dare / Eden Hagos / Efdemin / El Ten Eleven / FaltyDL / Fluxion / gLAdiator / Greg Gives Peter Space / Groundislava / Gui Boratto / Guti / Hanssen / Isis Graham / J.Alvarez / Jacaszek / Jamie McCue / John Roberts / JusMoni / Kangding Ray / Kastle / Kaytranada / Keys N Krates / Kevin Kauer / Kid Smpl / Kim Ann Foxman / KiNK feat. Rachel Row / Kode9 / Kraddy / Kris Moon / Lauren Lane / Lee Burridge / Lee Foss feat. Anabel Englund / Letherette / Little Daylight / Lindstrom / Loscil / Luke Mandala / Lunice / Lusine / Manatee Commune / Marcel Dettmann / Martyn / Matrixxman / Max Cooper presents Emergence / Midnight Magic / Millie & Andrea / Mimosa / MK / Nadastrom / Natasha Kmeto + Effixx / Nick Monaco / Nordic Soul / Oneohtrix Point Never + Nate Boyce / Paper Diamond / Patrick Topping / Pete Tong / Pezzner / Prefuse 73 / Recondite / Richie Hawtin / Rival Consoles / Robert Babicz / Rone / Rrose / Sabota / Salva / Sango / Sassmouth / Scratcha DVA / Sean Majors / Segue / Shadow Child / Simian Mobile Disco / Slow Year / Son Lux / Soul Clap / South London Ordnance / Splatinum / Steffi / Survive / Sweater Beats / T.Williams / Taso / Ten Walls / Tensnake / The Sight Below / Thugli / Tokimonsta / Tomas Jirku / Total Freedom / Taso / Vatican Shadow / Vox Mod / Waldo / WD4D / WIFE / Wolf + Lamb / Young Marco / Yppah

For more info on the 2014 Decibel Festival lineup please visithttp://dbfestival.com/db2014/lineup

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NYC + LA Open House: Sundays 11am & 12pm

Ask questions. Watch demos. Test drive workstations.

Anyone who comes by will have the opportunity to ask our instructors in-depth questions about our programs, curriculum and philosophy, and watch live music production and DJ demos. You can even sit down at one of our workstations and take it for a test drive. If you are still trying to decide what you are looking for, we suggest you stop by one of our Open Houses to learn more about the school, understand what the learning process at Dubspot entails and help you decide what is best for you. We can also help with scheduling details and payment options.

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The post Dubspot EDU Sessions @ Decibel Festival 2014! w/ Chris Petti, Adriano Clemente, James Patrick + appeared first on Dubspot Blog.

In this Max for Live Roundup we take a look at some free Max for Live devices that add usefulness and spice to your Ableton Live projects. The devices range from synths to utility devices that override Live’s default settings. 

Polyrhythmus

Click here to view the embedded video.

Keep Follow On

Keep Follow On by Dennis DeSantis is one of the simplest devices you can come across. When enabled, this device will keep Ableton Live’s follow button on. Usually when you turn follow on and are zoomed in, the view of the clip will be updated to the location of the playhead. When you re-zoom the clip or arrangement, “Follow” turns off and you will have to press “Follow” again. Keep Follow On works “even when zooming or scrolling within clips or the Arrangement,” as Dennis says. Download Keep Follow On free app for a stress free follow.

Mashup

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Gratis Hits

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Ableton Live Producer Certificate Program

The flagship of our music training, with every Ableton Live course offered at the school. After completing this program, you will leave with a portfolio of original tracks, a remix entered in an active contest, a scored commercial to widen your scope, and the Dubspot Producer’s Certificate in Ableton Live.

What’s Included:

• Ableton Live Level 1: Beats, Sketches, and Ideas
• Ableton Live Level 2: Analyze, Deconstruct, Recompose, and Assemble
• Ableton Live Level 3: Synthesis and Original Sound Creation
• Ableton Live Level 4: Advanced Sound Creation
• Ableton Live Level 5: Advanced Effect Processing
• Ableton Live Level 6: Going Global with your Music

This program is about learning Ableton Live by going through the entire process of being an artist, by developing your own sound through a series of sketches and experimentation. You will also learn the ins and outs of this powerful software through a series of exercises designed to help you master the steps involved in producing your own music. After a level of getting familiar with the tools that Ableton has to offer, you will then develop your sonic ideas into full-length tracks. You will be exposed to a variety of approaches to arrangement and composition, storytelling techniques, ways of creating tension and drama in your music. At the end of the day, it is the sum total of your choices as an artist that define your sound, and Levels 2 – 6 will give you the experience of actually completing tracks to add to your portfolio.

Click here for detailed information on this program, including start dates and payment plans.

Or if you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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The post Max for Live Round Up: Polyrhythmus, Keep Follow On, Mashup, Gratis Hits + appeared first on Dubspot Blog.

In this Max for Live roundup, Dubspot contributor and Ableton Certified Trainer Josh Spoon introduces five Max for Live devices that expand the capabilities of the Ableton Push controller.

In a previous article found HERE I introduced five Max for Live devices that expand the capabilities of the Ableton Push controller. Since then Max for Live devices have evolved and they currently offer even more capabilities to override the standard features of Push. In this second round up, I’ll show you five additional Max for Live devices that Push the envelope for Ableton control.

OKTOPUSH

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Oktopush by Isotonik Studios released a Max for Live DJ template for Ableton Push, similar to their version for the APC40. This Max for Live suit provides a complete DJ setup for Push right out of the box. Oktopush includes all of the great DJ style effects you would expect from Isotonik. Push’s encoders control the rate of an effect while the Track Select Buttons enable and disable effects. My favorite effect is the Lo and Hi Pass Filter, which is controlled by the Push Touch Strip. In addition, you can toggle on/off Oktopush to have easy access to Push’s standard features and free up the User Mode for mapping additional parameters. If you’re looking to DJ with Push, Oktopush is a worthy choice for around $30. Pick up a copy HERE.

SPEKTRO PS-8

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Spektro PS-8 1.1 by IcaroFerre is a unique analog-style sequencer inspired by Korg SQ-10 and Moog 960 Sequential Controller. The Push encoders allow you to change the pitch of notes and velocity of the eight steps. The pads are used to control note on/off, loop start, shuffle amount, gate length, and loop direction, referred to as Mode. Spektro PS-8 provides great visual feedback and is relatively easy to use, giving you the freedom to have fun and focus on your performance. Download Spektro PS-8 for free HERE.

OMNIPUSH

OmniPush 1.1 by walrusmuse is a Max for Live device inspired by the Suzuki Omnichord. It opens up the ability to “strum” a glissando of notes using the Push Touch Strip. There are two modes to choose from, “Freehand” and “Scale” mode.

Freehand mode allows you to strum multiple octaves with the Touch Strip with one hand while playing a chord with your other hand on the pads. When using the Freehand mode make sure you also set the key you are playing in. Scale mode doesn’t use the pads and focuses only on strumming with the Touch Strip. In addition, you can tap or slide your finger to trigger notes, as well as set note boundaries, add fifths, and adjust velocity. I find it works very nicely with synth strings. Get your strum on and download OmniPush 1.1 for free HERE.

PUSH PONG

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Push Pong by  Mark Towers is a Max for Live generative sequencer inspired by Batuhan Bozkurt’s Otomata Generative Musical Sequencer. Notes are generated when pushing any of the pads on Push. A rectangle will start to move either vertically or horizontally, creating a note when hitting the boundaries of the Push pads. The fun starts when additional rectangles are generated when pressing any of the pads on the 8×8 grid.

Push Pong gives you many options to create a unique generative experience. You can change the notes that are generated on the boundaries, set either a “Global” or “Cell” mode to change velocity, note length, chance of cells bouncing, and the rectangle’s travel direction. Push Pong is also available to download free HERE.

TIME & TIMBRE 

Click here to view the embedded video.

TIME & TIMBRE by Skinnerbox is a Max for Live modular drum machine and time engine. The TIME section is a six­ voice polyrhythmic and polymetric sequencer. This device lets you easily make and chain together patterns, add accents and rolls to individual steps. It has the ability to define sequence length and beat divisions freely and independently for each of its six channels. TIME is also capable of applying swing to any of notes, not just ones that fit a standard 4/4 mold, providing a unique feel. There are four LFO’s available to map to any parameter located on TIME & TIMBRE device, or any parameter in Live that will oscillate with Time’s swing.

TIMBRE consists of five drum synthesis modules that provide a great range of drum sounds. It is feature rich, allowing complete control of any drum elements. This drum synth can also be randomized in a few ways, or modulated using any of the four LFO’s. This powerhouse device truly gives you the freedom and ability to make unique sounds very quickly. Best of all you can access a lot of the features on Push, and the step sequencer works similarly to the standard one with a few clever quick sequencing options. One of my favorite features is “Morph Master Mike.” You can also use the top and bottom points of the Touch Strip to create parameter snapshots, and then morph between the two. TIME & TIMBRE has been very fun to use! Grab this double treat for $69 on Ableton’s site HERE.

Ableton Live Producer Certificate Program

The flagship of our music training, with every Ableton Live course offered at the school. After completing this program, you will leave with a portfolio of original tracks, a remix entered in an active contest, a scored commercial to widen your scope, and the Dubspot Producer’s Certificate in Ableton Live.

What’s Included:

• Ableton Live Level 1: Beats, Sketches, and Ideas
• Ableton Live Level 2: Analyze, Deconstruct, Recompose, and Assemble
• Ableton Live Level 3: Synthesis and Original Sound Creation
• Ableton Live Level 4: Advanced Sound Creation
• Ableton Live Level 5: Advanced Effect Processing
• Ableton Live Level 6: Going Global with your Music

This program is about learning Ableton Live by going through the entire process of being an artist, by developing your own sound through a series of sketches and experimentation. You will also learn the ins and outs of this powerful software through a series of exercises designed to help you master the steps involved in producing your own music. After a level of getting familiar with the tools that Ableton has to offer, you will then develop your sonic ideas into full-length tracks. You will be exposed to a variety of approaches to arrangement and composition, storytelling techniques, ways of creating tension and drama in your music. At the end of the day, it is the sum total of your choices as an artist that define your sound, and levels 2 – 6 will give you the experience of actually completing tracks to add to your portfolio.

If you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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The post 5 Max for Live Devices for Ableton Push: Oktopush, Omnipush, Spektro, Push Pong, Time & Timbre appeared first on Dubspot Blog.

In this tutorial, Dubspot contributor Rory PQ explores harmonic distortion and various approaches to creating a more powerful sound using a multiband distortion effect rack in Ableton Live.

One of the biggest burning questions about music production often tossed about like an ecstatic fan crowd surfing is, “How can I make my sounds fat and loud?” At some point in our music making endeavors we will all want to make an element in a project sound richer to meet the demand of commercial sounding tunes. Well, there are more ways to bring your sounds to life then there are Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavors. One of the most widely used and crucial approaches to creating a bigger sound is applying harmonic distortion.

Good Distortion vs Bad Distortion

There is good distortion and bad distortion. Digital clipping is an example of bad distortion. This occurs when levels exceed a maximum level to the point where the peaks of waveforms are clipped off resulting in unwanted distortion. This type of distortion is not musical, so if your volume meters are pushed into the red it’s recommended to bring the level down.

Harmonic distortion on the other hand is an example of good distortion, and is as wonderful as winning the lottery. Harmonic distortion is very musical because it adds overtones and harmonics to the fundamental frequency of the sound. Pleasant distortion is used to add warmth, harmonics, dynamics, and color to the signal. It works great to ‘glue’ elements together and make sounds more rich and full or gritty and harsh. Even‑order harmonic distortion tends to sound warm and smooth. Odd‑order harmonic distortion tends to sound more harsh, gritty and edgy.

Types of Distortion

There are various forms and flavors of harmonic distortion. The most common types are saturation and overdrive. These types of distortion treatments were discovered using analog gear. Analog distortion was achieved by pushing levels through various components in older analog equipment and tape machines. Recording engineers quickly realized that the pleasant distortion and compression characteristics of saturation could be used as a mixing tool. Today, digital distortion is more commonly used with plugins that emulate high quality distortion models inspired by the vintage characteristics of running sound through tubes, transformers, valves, tape and guitar amps.

Learn more about analog distortion HERE where Dubspot instructor Michael Walsh explores a cassette distortion technique.

Multiband Madness Distortion Rack

All this talk about distortion has inspired me to build a multiband distortion rack to share with all of you. Using Ableton Live and its unique ability to create custom Instrument and Effects racks, we will explore what’s going on under the hood of this rack. In addition, we will cover some creative possibilities and practical uses for applying multiband distortion.

Download a free copy of the Multiband Madness rack below and feel free to follow along as we transform mediocre sounds into powerhouse speaker shakers your mom will be proud of. There are two versions of the Multiband Madness rack. The Live Suite version requires Max for Live and the Live Standard version does not require Max for Live.

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Test Drive

Before we look under the hood of this mean distortion machine, lets hear it in action. Below are two identical drum loop samples, one is dry and the other is running through the Multiband Madness rack. Check out the difference in punch and presence.

Dry Drum Loop

Saturated Drum Loop

Waveform Comparison

Under the Hood

Ok, time to get our hands dirty and look under the hood to see how this rack was created and explore its powerful features.

This is a multiband effects rack meaning that the incoming signal is split into different frequency bands that can be processed separately to enhance a sound in much more detail.

The incoming signal is split into High, Mid, and Low frequency bands using Live’s Multiband Dynamics device. We could also use EQ’s instead to create the different frequency bands, however the Multiband Dynamics gets more bang! It has three independent frequency bands with adjustable crossover points that sound more transparent, as well as allows for upward and downward compression and expansion. Not only is this rack a multiband distortion rack, it is also a multiband compression rack. The crossover points for each band can be adjusted using the Low-Mid and Mid-High Band Macro controls.

Following the Multiband Dynamics for each band is Live’s Saturator device for applying harmonic distortion. Saturator is a powerful waveshaping effect that can coat the input signal with soft saturation or drive it into many different flavors of distortion. A bonus feature of this rack is that we are not limited to using Saturator. Live offers six different distortion devices that give use a wide variety of distortion styles. Choose from Saturator, Overdrive, Dynamic Tube, Vinyl Distortion, Erosion, and Redux. You can Hot Swap devices by selecting the Saturator, clicking ‘Q’ on your keyboard and selecting one of Live’s distortion effects or your favorite third-party plugins. The amount of harmonic distortion that is applied to each band can be adjusted using the Low, Mid, and High Drive Macro controls.

At this point we have a decent multiband distortion/compression rack that is very capable of enhancing a sound. Why cruise on a moped when you can rip on a Harley?

Ableton Live’s unique ability to build racks inside of racks with multi-parameter Macro mapping control allows us to create some interesting effects. For fun we added an extra burst of distortion. Following the Saturator on the High and Mid bands is another Effect Rack containing a Max for Live device called Envelope Follower. The Envelope Follower reacts to the amplitude of the input signal to create a series of attack and decay envelopes, which are used to modulate the Drive control on the second Saturator. Adjusting the High and Mid Snap Macros control how much distortion is applied to the transients of the incoming signal. You can control the attack and decay of the distortion bursts by adjusting the Rise and Fall controls located on the Envelope Follower. Please be cautious when adjusting the Snap Macros, the signal can be easily overdriven and cause clipping distortion. A Limiter has been added to help protect your speakers and ears.

Gluing the entire rack together is yet another rack dedicated to applying parallel compression that also adds some substantial punch. Parallel compression, also known as New York compression, is a mixing technique used to balance an unprocessed ‘dry’ signal with a heavily compressed version of the same signal. Parallel compression is great because it retains the dynamic range with the ‘dry’ signal while adding power and punch with a heavily compressed signal. Adjusting the NY Comp Macro will control how much parallel compression is applied to the output signal. In addition, you can adjust the Ratio, Attack, and Release Macro controls on the NY Compression rack to dial in your preferred settings.

Sometimes parallel compression can make things sound muddy in the low end or may overpower the lower frequencies of the kick. To remedy this I added a Sidechain Compressor to the Low band to duck the volume and make space for the kick to punch through the mix.

Creative Possibilities and Practical Uses

Multiband distortion works great on any element in a project. It particularly excels at beefing up drums, bass, and leads. What’s great about this rack is that it can be easy tailored to your needs. The rack is not limited to applying harmonic distortion. You can expand its possibilities by dropping additional effects on each band to enhance the sound further and add dimension. For example, you could add reverb to the High band, delay to the Mid band, and a Utility set to Mono on the Low band.

Bonus Tip: You could duplicate any of the frequency band chains and pan them to add harmonic distortion out across the stereo field. In addition, you could create a ‘dry’ chain and run the processed signal of all three bands in parallel with the unprocessed signal.

Final Thoughts

The Multiband Madness rack has the ability to open doors to many creative possibilities. Feel free to comment below and share some creative ways you used the rack in your projects.

Enjoy!

Ableton Live Producer Certificate Program

The flagship of our music training, with every Ableton Live course offered at the school. After completing this program, you will leave with a portfolio of original tracks, a remix entered in an active contest, a scored commercial to widen your scope, and the Dubspot Producer’s Certificate in Ableton Live.

What’s Included:

• Ableton Live Level 1: Beats, Sketches, and Ideas
• Ableton Live Level 2: Analyze, Deconstruct, Recompose, and Assemble
• Ableton Live Level 3: Synthesis and Original Sound Creation
• Ableton Live Level 4: Advanced Sound Creation
• Ableton Live Level 5: Advanced Effect Processing
• Ableton Live Level 6: Going Global with your Music

This program is about learning Ableton Live by going through the entire process of being an artist, by developing your own sound through a series of sketches and experimentation. You will also learn the ins and outs of this powerful software through a series of exercises designed to help you master the steps involved in producing your own music. After a level of getting familiar with the tools that Ableton has to offer, you will then develop your sonic ideas into full-length tracks. You will be exposed to a variety of approaches to arrangement and composition, storytelling techniques, ways of creating tension and drama in your music. At the end of the day, it is the sum total of your choices as an artist that define your sound, and Levels 2 – 6 will give you the experience of actually completing tracks to add to your portfolio.

Click here for detailed information on this program, including start dates and payment plans.

Or if you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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The post Ableton Live Tutorial: Harmonic Multiband Distortion + FREE Rack Download w/ Rory PQ appeared first on Dubspot Blog.

In this Max for Live roundup, Dubspot contributor and Ableton Certified Trainer Josh Spoon introduces five Max for Live devices that will help you quickly make creative automation and modulation changes.

Nothing brings a song to life like modulation, especially in electronic music. Let’s take a look at five great Max for Live devices that will help you quickly make creative automation and modulation changes.

AutomationRecorder

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AutomationRecorder by Krypt1k is a modification of the Max for Live Essentials LFO device. It records its built-in LFO output as automation into an envelope of any parameter in Session or Arrangement View. Many of the same parameters are there from the LFO with the addition of parameters to step sequence the waveform and adjust the rate and number of steps. Here’s a tip to get less abrupt modulation between waveforms, use the Smooth control to adjust the glide from step to step. Whether you are looking to record smooth waveform modulation or wild steps to your favorite parameter, you now know where to look. Download AutomationRecorder for FREE here.

XY Pad Snap-Mod

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XY Pad Snap-Mod is another modified device (XY Pad is included in the Max for Live Essentials Pack) by Krypt1k. This device added the simple functionality of snap to ’0′ when you let go of your mouse while automating. If you are familiar with Touchable, Conductr, or Sugar Bytes Turnado’s XY Pad, you know how useful this is. This handy tool is great when you need an effect to turn off quickly, especially when performing live. Download the XY Pad Snap-Mod for FREE here and snap away.

Quantized Parameter Automator

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Quantized Parameter Automator by Tom Cosm is a pretty clever Max for Live device that will stabilize a parameters amount for a fixed amount of time, determined by you grid size. “It is similar to when using the arrow [pen] tool to drag a segment of automation up or down while snapping to the grid. However, this allows you to record it real time.”  If you are looking to use an encoder but want more of a step like automation, then this device is for you. Download the Quantized Parameter Automator FREE here.

Push TouchWheel

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Push TouchWheel by Tête De Son is a Max for Live device favored by many Push users. This simple device allows you to switch Push’s Touch Strip from a standard pitch wheel to mod wheel. Push TouchWheel sends out CC1 messages for VSTs and controlling hardware. In addition, it works “right out of the box” with Live’s instruments.

The device can also be loaded on as many MIDI channels as you want and have different setting for each instance of the Push TouchWheel. They will not overlap like many other Max for Live devices. Check out this simple but well thought out device here for around $2 and get modding on you Push.

KEYPITCHER

KEYPITCHER by bennniii a simple Max for Live device. Its primary job is to allow you to play the pitch of your sounds in a drum rack with a keyboard. It is similar to the transpose control to tune 808 kicks or any instrument that has a transpose parameter. KEYPITCHER lives on a separate track of its own. Here you can set the root note and map a parameter to automate. As you press each key on your keyboard, it will pitch up or down accordingly, and even record the notes as steps to automate the process. The days of trying to turn an encoder fast enough to pitch at 16th note resolutions or messing with the transpose automation lane are gone, thanks to KEYPITCHER. This device can be useful for various applications. For example, try it with an arpeggiator, you will see how fun and useful this tool can be. Download KEYPITCHER FREE here.

Ableton Live Producer Certificate Program

The flagship of our music training, with every Ableton Live course offered at the school. After completing this program, you will leave with a portfolio of original tracks, a remix entered in an active contest, a scored commercial to widen your scope, and the Dubspot Producer’s Certificate in Ableton Live.

What’s Included:

• Ableton Live Level 1: Beats, Sketches, and Ideas
• Ableton Live Level 2: Analyze, Deconstruct, Recompose, and Assemble
• Ableton Live Level 3: Synthesis and Original Sound Creation
• Ableton Live Level 4: Advanced Sound Creation
• Ableton Live Level 5: Advanced Effect Processing
• Ableton Live Level 6: Going Global with your Music

This program is about learning Ableton Live by going through the entire process of being an artist, by developing your own sound through a series of sketches and experimentation. You will also learn the ins and outs of this powerful software through a series of exercises designed to help you master the steps involved in producing your own music. After a level of getting familiar with the tools that Ableton has to offer, you will then develop your sonic ideas into full-length tracks. You will be exposed to a variety of approaches to arrangement and composition, storytelling techniques, ways of creating tension and drama in your music. At the end of the day, it is the sum total of your choices as an artist that define your sound, and levels 2 – 6 will give you the experience of actually completing tracks to add to your portfolio.

If you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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The post Max for Live Roundup: Five Automation and Modulation Devices w/ Josh Spoon appeared first on Dubspot Blog.

In this Max for Live roundup, Dubspot contributor, and Ableton Certified Trainer Josh Spoon introduces five devices that will save time and help improve your workflow while working with Ableton Live. Whether it’s less clicking, less mapping or fewer steps this roundup has you covered. Our Ableton Live Producer Certificate Program is starting soon in LA, NY, and Online. Enroll Now!

Group Humanizer

Group Humanizer is a Max for Live suite, designed by James Holden, which allows you to play back your Live clips as if they were live musicians. It’s like having dynamic swing on each track that factors in the swing of the other tracks and creates a sense of push and pull that naturally happens during a live performance.

To “group humanize” two or more tracks, only the Group Humanizer MASTER and SLAVE plugins are needed to get started. These two devices allow you to adjust the timing, motor error, listening, and other parameters (all automatable) to influence the timing of each track. For example, you can create a groove that is as bad as your middle school band recital to a well-practiced group of musicians. Grab this device and start creating awesome A.I. tracks for FREE.

Alias Clips

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Have you ever worked in Arrangement View slicing and dicing your MIDI clips spending tedious amounts of time going to each clip and making changes? Well, now that’s a thing of the past with Alias Clips by J. Garcia. Alias Clips includes functionality that allows you to duplicate a MIDI clip and link them together for bulk editing. For example, when you modify one clip, the duplicates will automatically update themselves with the same modifications. When clips are linked, they share the same properties such as name, clip color, and MIDI note data. These are just a few options available on this extremely useful device. Save precious time and pick up Alias Clips for $10 HERE.

Push Speed Dial

Push Speed Dial by Larose is a simple device that turns Push’s, not often used, master volume encoder into a control for any selected parameter in Live. This device also works without greying out selected parameters so you can still use it with your mouse or automation. Download this Push Speed Dial and put that master volume encoder to good use for FREE.

Session Scene Launcher

Session Scene Launcher by Evan Bogunia is a nice Max for Live device that I’m sure many Push users will appreciate. Although it works with a number of different controllers. The device adds functionality to launch scenes without having to override the default functions or map anything to your controller. Place this on an empty MIDI track, and then select your preferred control surface. Define the notes you wish to launch scenes, and navigate the session, or MIDI map notes to any of the controls using a nice 8×8 launching grid. This device works great and allows you to keep focused on your performance while reserving certain notes to navigational or launch buttons.

This device is great for Push and Launchpad, especially now that Push 9.2 has access to 64 notes in the Drum Rack. You can reserve a bank of 16 notes for launching while the other 48 are for triggering samples. Currently, this device works with eight controllers but let’s hope for more. Pick up a FREE copy of Session Scene Launcher HERE.

Salami Division

Click here to view the embedded video.

Salami Division by Skinnerbox, the creators of Time and Timbre, the creators of Time and Timbre, have turned Simpler into a sampler-slicer. It basically does the same thing as Live’s Slice to New MIDI Track function but with extra time-saving features. For example, there is a sample-hot-swap and dynamic slicing feature. Salami Division makes slicing up samples a breeze. The device description says that Push Salami Division lets you mash up to 64 slices on one page. However, I was able to capture 128 slices all in one Simpler Instrument. Get slicing and grab a FREE copy of Salami Division HERE.

Ableton Live Producer Certificate Program

The flagship of our music training, with every Ableton Live course offered at the school. After completing this program, you will leave with a portfolio of original tracks, a remix entered in an active contest, a scored commercial to widen your scope, and the Dubspot Producer’s Certificate in Ableton Live.

What’s Included:

• Ableton Live Level 1: Beats, Sketches, and Ideas
• Ableton Live Level 2: Analyze, Deconstruct, Recompose, and Assemble
• Ableton Live Level 3: Synthesis and Original Sound Creation
• Ableton Live Level 4: Advanced Sound Creation
• Ableton Live Level 5: Advanced Effect Processing
• Ableton Live Level 6: Going Global with your Music

This program is about learning Ableton Live by going through the entire process of being an artist, by developing your own sound through a series of sketches and experimentation. You will also learn the ins and outs of this powerful software through a series of exercises designed to help you master the steps involved in producing your own music. After a level of getting familiar with the tools that Ableton has to offer, you will then develop your sonic ideas into full-length tracks. You will be exposed to a variety of approaches to arrangement and composition, storytelling techniques, ways of creating tension and drama in your music. At the end of the day, it is the sum total of your choices as an artist that define your sound, and levels 2 – 6 will give you the experience of actually completing tracks to add to your portfolio.

If you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

Click here to view the embedded video.

/files/2015/03/Max4Live-Roundup-Thumb.jpg

The post Max for Live Roundup: Five Devices to Improve Workflow w/ Josh Spoon appeared first on Dubspot Blog.

In this product review, Dubspot contributor and Ableton Certified Trainer Josh Spoon takes us through Sonic Faction’s Archetype Ableton Bundle and meets with co-founder, Taylor Martyr to ask him a little bit about the history and the process of creating the Archetype.

It was around three years ago that Sonic Faction burst onto the scene with their Ableton Live packs loaded with meticulously sampled raw waves of many sought after synths. Using Max For Live devices, their Live Packs can be manipulated by multiple controllers. At the time, this was not a widespread offering from Live Pack content creators.

Now, Sonic Faction is back with a new paradigm – The Archetype Ableton Bundle. This bundle is a collection of eight vintage and modern electronic instruments, redesigned for the Ableton Live ecosystem. The focus with this new bundle is to make these synths and drums feel more like hands on synths and drum machines than a collection of Instrument Racks and effects.

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The uniquely designed user interfaces for each Max for Live device handles the controls of the racks that, in turn, handle the sounds and effects. This ability leaves you with the best of both worlds, giving you quick access to synth parameters for easy tweaking.

Not only are there a lot of parameters to access right on the device, but they are in a coherent order when using the LED display on Ableton PUSH. A common problem when using Max for Live devices is that developers overlook the way Macros will are ordered, resulting in a tabbing nightmare for users with a controller. Sonic Faction designed his parameters, so they are ordered in a way that makes sense as you navigate around in the unit.

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The sounds of these synths are amazing, each one is truly unique. I put them in my tracks on a regular basis, and they definitely shine. There is a slew of presets per instrument as well, all accessible on the Max for Live UI. However, I like to create my patches from scratch when I can because it so easy to interact.

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Between the eight offerings, you get a huge range of sounds from fat drums to dirty basses to lock and load euphoric synth builds. I also love the extra LFO they programmed into the device, which has an assignable destination option, so there is no need to go looking all over the instrument rack for the parameter you want to set.

Interview with Sonic Faction Co-founder Taylor Martyr

I recently had a chance to interview one of the founders, Taylor Martyr to ask him a little bit about the history and the process of creating the Archetype.

Tell us a little about Sonic Faction and how it got started?

Sonic Faction started out as two music producers in a studio who started building instruments for our own selfish reasons. We discovered we could record really high-quality multi-samples of our favorite analog gear and cleverly reprogram the instruments inside of Ableton. Instead of lugging around vintage hardware that never stays in tune or in sync, we enjoyed the ability to take our favorite gear with us wherever we go. Whether on a plane, train or perhaps a sailboat. We realized that other music producers want the same thing, so we started selling our virtual instruments, and next thing we know we have a plug-in company.

How big is the team at Sonic Faction?

Right now, we have six guys who work here at the studio in Hollywood. We are also fortunate to work with other talented programmers from the UK, France, Germany, and Japan.

What was your first offering?

Our first offering was the (now legendary) Whoosh Machine for Live 8 which we gave away for free. Then we followed that up with Evilfish 303, which was also a big hit with the all ACID bass lovers out there. Evilfish 303 was our first full synth that included a Max for Live Step Sequencer for Launchpad. The sequencer allowed users to draw in patterns and have hands-on control of the instrument. Bringing a virtual synth back out of the box and giving users a tactile experience has always been a core focus of what we do.

When did things start picking up for you?

Hmmm… things started to take off right after we released our first drum instrument called Beatdown. Whether it’s rain or shine, war or peace, boom or bust, people need beats! The Beatdown’s engine was inspired from the Elektron Machine Drum, which allows you to treat a drum machine more like an instrument and do some pretty wild things.

The promo video for The Archetype sounds great and is weird, but in a good way. Can you talk about how you guys got to a breakdancing street people promo video with lasers?

That should be our company motto: “Weird but in a good way,” ha! We worked with this amazing director Mareesa Stertz, and she casted some “homeless” actors and a rad professional breakdancer. We shot the whole thing in one day, guerilla-style in downtown LA. We wanted to do something completely different from the typical, boring music-software promo video. After all, we’re making art here, and we try not to take ourselves too seriously.

What made SF shift its focus to a classic physical synth workflow from a controller based workflow?

We polled our user-base and the #1 thing they requested (beside retina eye scanner synths) was a custom interface with more stuff to tweak. So we set out to completely redesign all of our synths using Max for Live. The result is a totally new generation of Ableton instruments with gorgeous interfaces, intuitive controls, and advanced features only possible using Max.

How long did the design/building phase take?

For Archetype Ableton Bundle, which includes eight instruments and two step sequencers, took us about a year from concept to market. We spent a long time tweaking the designs and programming the interfaces for the optimal user experience.

The way the UI works in the Archetype is a breath of fresh air. Have there been any changes to samples or effects?

We rebuilt the instruments and optimized their samples, so they have a smaller RAM footprint for faster loading. The effects have been expanded, so each instrument has a ton of processing options.

Since we are talking a lot about synths, which one of the Archetype is your favorite? Also, what is your favorite analog synth?

It changes from week to week. Like the Island of Dr. Moreau, I love all my children! If I had to choose one, I couldn’t. Beatdown is definitely a monster when you drop it into Global takeover mode and tweak on parameters for the entire kit. Also, Evilfish 303′s built-in pattern generator makes acid bass lines for days!

Currently in the studio we have a Devilfish 303 and the Eurorack modular system. Also worth mentioning, my Teenage Engineering OP-1 is my favorite synth, it sounds soooo good, even though, its virtual analog.

For all the audiophiles, what is the bit depth and sample rate for the sounds?

Everything is sampled at 24-bit, 44.1k.

Are you allowed to say what the original names are of the instruments that are being sampled?

We avoid advertising as an emulation; we don’t want to piss anybody off. We have a lot of respect for hardware developers, old and new. Also, reprogramming them in Ableton has expanded what is sonically possible for each instrument. Still, we captured the essence of each analog synth, so if you want the real deal, it’s in there.

What’s next for Sonic Faction?

More ground-breaking devices and Max for Live mad-science, original instruments that have never been seen/heard before, new formats, new platforms, and new horizons.

My Final Thoughts

For classic sounds with a modern touch and designed for the Ableton Live ecosystem, you can’t go wrong with The Archetype Ableton Bundle. But, if there is a specific synth that you desire they do sell each separately (Check their Youtube for specific synth examples).  If you don’t have Max for Live, you can still use the synths as long as you have Live 9. So, head on over to the website and grab a single for $49 or the bundle for $199.

Open House in NYC: Sundays 11am | Guided Tour of LA

Ask questions. Watch demos. Test drive workstations.

Visit our New York and Los Angeles locations! Ask our Admissions Counselors in-depth questions about our programs, curriculum and philosophy. Watch live music production and DJ demos, and test drive our student workstations. If you are still trying to decide what you are looking for, stop by one of our Open Houses in NYC or schedule a tour in LA to find out more about the learning process at Dubspot. We can also help with scheduling details and payment options.

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The post Sonic Faction: Archetype Ableton Bundle Overview + Interview w/ Co-founder Taylor Martyr appeared first on Dubspot Blog.

In this video, Dubspot Instructor Adriano Clemente introduces us to Live Video Tools, his new Max For Live video manipulation device for creating captivating visuals with Ableton Live. Learn more about how to perform with visuals and create your own engaging videos in our Visual Performance course. Visit the Visual Performance course page to learn more!

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Developed by Adriano Clemente and Thomas Martinez, Live Video Tools is a creative suite for live music performers looking to create sound responsive visuals. With simplicity in mind, the interface has an intuitive design making it easy to generate captivating visuals that dynamically reacts to your sounds. In only a few short steps, you can quickly import videos, stills, and animated GIFs to perform and manipulate alongside your Ableton Live set. Live Video Tools comes loaded with fully mappable effect controls for manipulating feedback, RGB levels, strobe, saturation, hue, inversion, kaleidoscope, and other modulation parameters to generate interesting effects. For example, you could map a filter frequency control to Live Video Tools Saturation control to create expressive filter sweeps. You can also automate modulation destinations using LFO controls so you can focus more on your live performance.

Learn more about Live Video Tools and purchase a copy HERE.

About Adriano Clemente

A trained composer and pianist, Clemente shifted his focus from the traditional piano to exploring the possibilities of interface and design within electronic music. Adriano was curious to see how the same motor skills could be applied to different mediums and allow more freedom for the composer. Ever since making that shift he has moved beyond such parameters to exploring the multiple ways in which sound can interact with all facets of the body itself, from attachable electrodes, to motion sensors, to wearable technologies.

“With backgrounds in music, teaching, psychology, and anthropology, Adriano Clemente is truly a creative polymath” (Ableton).
Adriano has graduated in Clinical Psychology from La Sapienza University of Rome which helped him to blend his passion for music with scientific interest for human interaction. Clemente has been merging Psychoacoustic and Sound Synthesis studies and has been invited to lecture for prestigious universities such as School of Visual Art NY, Columbia University, Stony Brooks University and Brooklyn College.

Adriano has recently worked on a Audio/Video installation for the Super Bowl Boulevard in New York City, which featured 12 LED screens and a sound-interactive walkable platform all located in Herald Square, Manhattan. He is also responsible for introducing his interactive Sound Design approach into the fashion world at the recent Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week for the ØDD’s runway.

Clemente has composed several soundtracks and won a prize at the Torino Film Festival in 2005. He also has closely worked with the director Graham Elliot (SVA) on the creation of NY in Motion, a documentary about NY’s motion graphic, featured in more than ten festivals worldwide.

He is currently focusing on the development of sound and orchestrations through the use of Bio Feedback. Clemente has worked with MGMT and RCA Records but is best known for his unique approach and pioneering of interactive sound/video installations with the Kin-Hact Project in which a body’s movement orchestrates the composition. His work has been featured in Rolling Stones Magazine, The Creators Project, Joystiq, Noisey and in numerous publications in Europe and the States. Clemente is a frequent consultant on new musical technology for such prestigious companies as Disney Imagineering, Korg, Dubspot, Splice, Ableton.

Connect with Adriano on Facebook | Twitter | Website

Ableton Live Producer Certificate Program

The flagship of our music training, with every Ableton Live course offered at the school. After completing this program, you will leave with a portfolio of original tracks, a remix entered in an active contest, a scored commercial to widen your scope, and the Dubspot Producer’s Certificate in Ableton Live.

What’s Included:

• Ableton Live Level 1: Beats, Sketches, and Ideas
• Ableton Live Level 2: Analyze, Deconstruct, Recompose, and Assemble
• Ableton Live Level 3: Synthesis and Original Sound Creation
• Ableton Live Level 4: Advanced Sound Creation
• Ableton Live Level 5: Advanced Effect Processing
• Ableton Live Level 6: Going Global with your Music

This program is about learning Ableton Live by going through the entire process of being an artist, by developing your own sound through a series of sketches and experimentation. You will also learn the ins and outs of this powerful software through a series of exercises designed to help you master the steps involved in producing your own music. After a level of getting familiar with the tools that Ableton has to offer, you will then develop your sonic ideas into full-length tracks. You will be exposed to a variety of approaches to arrangement and composition, storytelling techniques, ways of creating tension and drama in your music. At the end of the day, it is the sum total of your choices as an artist that define your sound, and Levels 2 – 6 will give you the experience of actually completing tracks to add to your portfolio.

Click here for detailed information on this program, including start dates and payment plans.

Or if you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

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