Planning Your Live Performance with Ableton Live

Okay, so the first thing you really want to do before you even get inside Ableton Live is to think about what you want to achieve.

Define Your Goals

• What do you want your live performance to look like?
• Consider the different ways you can use the software:
  • DJing
  • Live remixing
  • Playing with a band

Having a clear goal in mind is essential.

What We'll Cover

In this lesson, we will focus on:

• Combining audio clips and loops with real instruments
  • I have an OP-1 here
  • An iPad
  • Sometimes a guitar or any synth you choose

We will also incorporate:

• Virtual instruments
• Live vocals
• Effects
• Live looping
• Creating on the fly

Importance of Planning

I highly recommend that you plan this out. Here's what I've done:

• Reviewed my gear
• Drawn pictures
• Written lists of the individual things I want to accomplish

Considerations for Your Setup

For instance:

• I know I'd like to have some delay on my vocals at one point.
• When I play a synth, I want to experiment with filters.

These are crucial details to ponder.

Create a Diagram

I recommend:

• Drawing pictures of your gear
• Diagramming your setup
• Labeling potential functions

This exercise in planning helps you decide what's effective and what may not work.

Conclusion

So, the first step is to set the mission.

In this course, we will be:

• Combining clips, loops, real instruments, virtual instruments
• Incorporating vocals and effects
• Engaging in live looping and improvisation

Remember: Plan ahead to achieve a successful performance!