ABLETON FOR MUSIC PRODUCERS AND AUDIO ENGINEERS
Lesson 30: Live with Live

So, you’ve made your music, you’ve got a gig, and you want to make it special in front of a live audience. This is an area where Live really excels leaps and bounds above all the other music software out there. After all, the name of the software is Live, right? This course will help you make the most of Live on stage, and give you some good pointers and starting points for different kinds of setups that you might encounter in the world of performance.

The very first thing you need to consider is what kind of live performing you will be doing. The most basic way to use Live is DJing, where you’ll be using two tracks with effects, a standard setup. You’ll focus on setting up the headphone mix so you can cue your incoming tracks. Live remixing is more involved because you’ll be remixing the different elements (bass, lead, vocal, etc.) in real-time. If you’re working with a band, that brings in a whole other set of potential issues.

In this course, you’ll learn how to visualize your set, get organized, and what you’re going to have sequenced. Consider the rhythm section, vocals, lead synths, and any effects you’ll be using. You’ll also want to think about the equipment you’ll want to have with you during your gig. Portability is important because you don’t want to be lugging a bunch of stuff around from job to job.

Your assignment for this course will be to break down a track into parts that are easy for you to work with. Your live remix set should include two drum tracks, a bass track, two lead tracks, and a vocal track. Incorporate some effects and set up a few samples, drum sounds, or synths that you will incorporate into the song.