Lesson 10 of 17Music ProductionIntermediate

Moving Views

10:39

How to move between Session View and Arrangement View in Ableton Live as you record and edit your ideas.

Part of the courseBuilding Tracks in Ableton Live17 lessons (1h 52m)

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Isaac CotecYour guruIsaac Cotec

What's in the course

17 lessons (1h 52m) · 1 free
    • 01. Overview

      2:30

    • 02. Moving Views

      You are here

      10:39

    • 03. Exercise - Arrangement and Session View Example - Remixing Live Set

      21:31

Lesson transcript

Music Lesson: Navigating Arrangement and Session Views

Introduction

In this lesson, we will explore how to effectively navigate between Session View and Arrangement View, focusing on recording and editing techniques.

Getting Started

  • Start with a few samples.
  • Press Tab to switch to Arrangement View.

Recording in Arrangement View

  • After hitting the Arrangement record button:
    • You'll see it starts recording as you play different parts in Session View.
  • This method is non-linear; feel free to repeat as needed.

Playing Around with Ideas

  • Play ideas for a shorter duration than normal.
  • Transition into your breakdown using the scene.
  • Instead of going to part B, return to the main verse.
  • Select multiple samples by holding Control; hit Enter to play.

Reviewing the Arrangement

  • Press Tab to confirm everything is recorded.
  • To hear the recording, press the play buttons in Arrangement View or the Back to Arrangement button.

Editing the Arrangement

  1. Deleting Sections:

    • For sections you wish to remove, go to Edit > Delete Time.
  2. Adjusting Length:

    • If a breakdown is too long, you can also delete time accordingly.
  3. Modifying Sections:

    • To play around with a specific section, activate muted tracks by pressing 0.
  4. Drum Transitions:

    • Duplicate and modify drum patterns for smoother transitions.
    • Adjust pitch and add effects as necessary (e.g., adding a crash).

Adding Effects and Automation

  • Add an effect and create automation with breakpoints.
  • Copy automation to maintain consistency throughout the track.

Returning to Session View

  • The main part doesn't reflect the recent drum changes. To adjust:
    • Right-click and Insert Scene for a blank slate.
    • Duplicate scenes for more space.

New Arrangements

  • Back in Arrangement View, modify sections:
    • Right-click to Consolidate Time to New Scene for a unique iteration of your track.

Finalizing the Composition

  • Play around with different scenes and colors for organizational clarity.
  • Ensure all automations and new beats are effectively saved within clips.

Conclusion

  • Transitioning between Session View and Arrangement View effectively allows for both performance and detailed editing.
  • Key points to remember:
    • Record Button: Records from Session to Arrangement.
    • Back to Arrangement: Plays current arrangement.
    • Consolidate Time to New Scene: Moves selected sections back to Session View.

With these tools and techniques, you'll be able to create dynamic music compositions with ease!

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Meet your guru

Isaac Cotec

Isaac Cotec

Isaac Cotec is, arguably, one of the best Ableton trainers in the world! While working on his own music, he began teaching recording techniques, sound design, and Ableton Live to private students, and since earning his certification as an official Ableton Certified Trainer he has helped thousands of producers step up their game and succeed as musicians.

Isaac started producing electronic music in 2005 with Psyche Sonics, an experimental group working with the science and research of binaural beats and altering consciousness through sound. After touring, he continued writing music under the alias Cotec and later emerged as the artist Subaqueous, blending his electronic past with both future and organic production techniques. To date, he has released 3 albums and 4 EPs.

Isaac is also the founder and manager of the record label Invibe Music, which represents some of the Pacific Northwest's best electronic music and specialises in midtempo dance music.

In his Ableton Live courses, Isaac shares the production, sound design and songwriting techniques he has spent years refining - the very skills he uses to turn a spark of an idea into a finished track.

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