In this module students will get an overview of Ableton Live. We will explore the interface to learn more about: 

 –  Installing & Setting up Ableton Live & its Versions

 –  Ableton Live’s Unique Features

 –  Basic Navigation & Workflow

 –  Understanding Tracks, Regions and Timelines

 –  Managing Projects and Templates

 –  Customizing the Interface

This module teaches how students can record & edit vocals, an acoustic instrument, or any other sound using your computer’s built-in microphone or a microphone connected to your computer either directly or via an audio interface. Key highlights are:

–  Setting up Audio Inputs & Outputs

–  Recording Tips & Techniques

–  Understanding Recording Modes

–  Drum Rack

–  Simpler & Sampler

–  Using External Hardware

–  Editing Tools & Techniques

– Time Stretching & Pitch Shifting

Getting your music produced without MIDI in today’s age is unthinkable. You’ll learn:

–  Introduction to MIDI

–  Setting up & Configuring MIDI

–  Recording MIDI

–  MIDI Editing Tools & Techniques

–  Loops & Sequencing

–  MIDI Live Effects

Ableton Live comes with a plethora of virtual instrruments allowing students to design and create sounds and music without any external hardware with ease. Some of the areas covered in this module are:

–  Overview of Built-In Virtual Instruments

–  Using Synthesizers 

–  Using Drum Machines

–  Using Sampled Instruments

–  Sound Designing

–  Third Party Plug-ins

–  Managing Libraries

Having keen understanding of arrangement structure and how to go about programming and sequencing tracks is what this module all about. Some of the highlights are:

–  Building Arrangements

–  Creating Sections

–  Writing Melodies and Harmonies

–  Developing Rhythmic Patterns & Grooves

–  Using Automation for Dynamic Changes

–  Incorporating Modulation & Effects

–  Layering Sounds

Mixing & Mastering is where all the elements and componets of your production come together and treated as a whole. Students will gain expertise in various aspects such as:

–  Signal Flow

–  Panorama and Stereo Imaging

–  Equalization (EQ)

–  Dynamics Processing

–  Time Based Effects

–  Mix Bus Processing

–  Automation

As mastering serves the final stage before distribution, it is the most important stage in the electronic music production process. This module focuses on how to polish your song to sound more cohesive and optimized for playback across various devices and environments by addressing issues such as frequency balance, dynamic range, streo imaging and overall tonal quality. Some key chapters to be covered are:

–  Listening Environment

–  Frequency Balancing

–  Signal Processing Overview

–  Dynamic Control

–  Spatial Enhancements

–  Tonal Balance

–  Transients Processing

–  Harmonic Enhancements

–  Final Limiting & Maximization

–  Delivery Formats & Metadata

–  Client Communication