Live Performance in Ableton Live

Hi, Brian Funk here.

I've been performing live with Ableton Live for years now, and I remember the effort it took to figure out how to use the software for live performance. So I've put together the Ableton Live course I wish existed when I first got serious.

If you've ever wanted to get on a stage and perform using Ableton, this is the course for you. These ideas and techniques work for a solo artist like myself, for DJs, for instrumentalists in bands, and for sound engineers. I've used Ableton to perform my songs entirely on my own, to play synths and instruments in bands, to apply effects to other instrumentalists and vocalists, to DJ, and even to provide sound effects and music in theatrical performances.

Everything in the course is meant to be practical and useful. I cover everything from effectively routing your tracks, setting up your sessions in a sensible way, incorporating live and virtual instruments, setting up controllers, recording your performances, live looping, and even how I've been integrating Ableton's Push into live performance. I approach every technique in ways that actually work live and are mindful of CPU usage. There are even tips on how to keep things interesting for your audience.

Bonus Ableton devices included!
I've also packed this course with handy Audio and MIDI Effect Racks. The 10 Effect Racks will help you add character, clean up mixes, do rudimentary mastering, create drum fills and glitch sounds, and emulate things like the MPC's famous note repeat. They come in a separate Ableton set and can easily be saved to your library for use in any project. (These devices require Ableton Live 9.)

Gear used on this course: MOTU Ultralite 2 audio interface, OP-1 Synth, iPad with synths (MiniBrute, Soundprism Pro app), MIDI controllers (Akai APC-40, Novation Launchpad, Akai MPK mini, Softstep foot controller), Ableton Push.

Pre-requisite: basic knowledge of Ableton Live - for example, I won't be explaining the difference between Session and Arrangement View, or the various Warp modes.