Lesson 17 of 36Music ProductionBeginner

Using Grooves

Learn how you can change the timing and feel of audio and MIDI clips with grooves.
Part of the courseSonic Bloom presents: Ableton Live 9 Essentials36 lessons (5h 28m)

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What's in the course

36 lessons (5h 28m) · 1 free
    • 01. Audio Clips

      11:30

    • 02. Time-Warping

      11:00

    • 03. Converting Audio To MIDI

      5:32

    • 04. Converting Drums To MIDI

      5:46

    • 05. Converting Harmony To MIDI

      5:13

    • 06. Converting Melody To MIDI

      4:42

    • 07. Converting Audio To MIDI Used The Wrong Way On Purpose

      5:23

    • 08. MIDI Clips

      13:29

    • 09. Using Grooves

      You are here

      3:45

Lesson transcript

Using Grooves to Change Timing and Feel in Your Clips

In this video, we'll be talking about using grooves and how they can change the timing and feel of a clip.

What are Grooves?

  • Grooves can be used on both MIDI clips and warped audio clips.
  • For warped audio clips, the transients are used to apply the groove.

Accessing Grooves

You can access grooves in a couple of ways:

  1. Through the Browser:

    • Navigate to Places > Packs in the Core Library.
    • Unfold this section and select Swing and Groove.
  2. Using the Keys:

    • I'm going to choose a swing groove because the difference is easier to hear.

Setting Up:

  • We'll be using the sliced beat again.
  • Down here, you'll see the grooves.

To select a groove:

  • Click on the hot swap button, which automatically opens the options.
  • Play the little example that is played again.
  • Double-click to choose, then we can just play.

You can also choose none again to hear the difference.

Exploring Different Grooves

There are all kinds of different grooves for various musical styles. Go through different ones and see what works for you.

For example, if we want to use an MPC groove, you have the Groove Pool button:

  • Adjust the settings and play around with them.
  • You can also save the settings you just made.

Global Amount Settings

  • Down here, you've got the global amount for the overall intensity of all the grooves.
    • 100% adjusts the groove at the assigned values.
    • Values less than 100% will be less exaggerated, while values above 100% can be over-exaggerated (up to 130%).

Committing the Groove

When you're happy with the settings, you can write the groove parameters into the clip:

  • Select a MIDI clip and click on Commit.
  • It switches back to none because it has been applied and the notes have been moved accordingly.

I'll just undo that because I don't actually want to have a swing on it just to show you.

Applying Grooves to Audio Clips

This process also works with an audio clip. Choose whatever you want, and I'll demonstrate again.

  • In this case, only the warp markers were moved because we already created warp markers.

If I undo this and remove the warp markers, then commit again, you'll see that warp markers are created when necessary, and those markers are adjusted to the groove.

Conclusion

Let's quickly play this example.

Now you know how to use grooves!

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Meet your guru

Madeleine Bloom

Madeleine Bloom

Madeleine Bloom is a classically trained musician, producer, multi-instrumentalist and singer from Berlin, and founder of the label Quixotica Records. She studied electroacoustic music at the Franz Liszt Conservatory under Prof. Robin Minard, and brings those methods to her own blend of electronica pop. Her music has earned praise from producers Guy Sigsworth and Rupert Hine, and a personal invitation from Imogen Heap, whose tour she opened.

A former Ableton technical support agent, she founded the online platform Sonic Bloom in 2012, where she teaches Ableton Live and music production through courses, workshops and one-to-one classes. She has helped people around the world with Ableton Live, Push and Max for Live, as well as audio engineering, music theory, composition and sound design.

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