Ableton Live 101

Eric Kuehnl (Berkeley, CA) is Director of Partner Programs at NextPoint Training, Inc., an Avid Master Instructor, and Co-Director of the Music Technology Program at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, California. Kuehnl is a composer, sound designer, and educator. Previously, he was an Audio Training Strategist in the Avid Education Department, and a Senior House Engineer for Sony Computer Entertainment America. He holds a Master's degree from California Institute of the Arts, a Bachelor's degree from Oberlin Conservatory, and studied composition at the Centre Iannis Xenakis in Paris.Andrew Haak is a San Francisco-based producer, sound designer, and engineer who is passionate about the infinite possibilities of digital audio. A graduate of Pyramind's Sound for Pictures and Games program, he's currently pursuing his artist career as an electronic music producer and helping fellow musicians and producers express their creativity as a sound design instructor. Formerly a full-time communications and PR professional, Andrew took a sudden turn into the realm of music after discovering the potential for self-expression and learning that modern music DAWs enable -- and hasn't looked.

• AcknowledgmentsIntroduction. Welcome to Ableton Live Chapter 1. Background InformationThe Ableton Live Digital Audio Workstation Ableton Live History and Evolution Audio Basics: Waveform, Frequency, and Amplitude Converting Audio to Digital Format Ableton Live Configurations Cross-Platform IssuesReview/Discussion Questions Exercise 1. Selecting Your Audio Production GearChapter 2. Getting Started with Ableton Live Target SystemsRegistering Your Software Software Installation and Operation Ableton Live File Structure Starting Ableton Live The Ableton Live Menu Structure Ableton Live Views and Sections Review/Discussion Questions Exercise 2. Identifying Ableton Live Views Chapter 3. Ableton Live Basic ControlsPlayback in Arrangement View Clip Editing in Arrangement View Zooming in Arrangement View Grid Editing in Arrangement View Time Scales and Rulers in Arrangement View The Scrub Area in Arrangement View Performance Control Features Modifying Devices and Clips Using the Info ViewReview/Discussion Questions Exercise 3. Identifying Primary Tools and Controls Chapter 4. Creating Your First Live Set Creating and Configuring a Live Set Working with TracksControlling Playback Saving, Locating, and Opening Live Sets and Projects Review/Discussion Questions Exercise 4. Creating a Live Set Chapter 5. Importing and Working with MediaConsiderations Prior to Import Import MethodsOther Methods of Importing Audio FilesImporting VideoReview/Discussion Questions Exercise 5. Importing AudioChapter 6. Working with MIDI MIDI BasicsMIDI in Ableton LiveSetting the Tempo and Time SignaturePreparing to Record MIDIEnabling the MetronomeUsing Virtual InstrumentsRecording a MIDI PerformanceCreating and Editing MIDI PerformancesReview/Discussion Questions Exercise 6. Working with MIDIChapter 7. Making Your First Audio RecordingBefore RecordingPreparing to RecordRecording and Managing AudioOrganizing after RecordingReview/Discussion QuestionsExercise 7. Recording AudioChapter 8. Selection, Navigation, and ConfigurationUsing the Arrangement OverviewMaking Selections in the Arrangement ViewZooming and Scrolling the Arrangement ViewAdjusting Your Live SetWorking with Locators (Arrangement View Only)Navigating the ArrangementReview/Discussion QuestionsExercise 8. Recording, Configuring, and Adding Locators to an Arrangement ...Chapter 9. Editing Your MediaSelecting Playback OptionsUsing the Edit GridEditing ClipsMoving and Resizing Clips in the Arrangement ViewUndoing Your WorkReview/Discussion QuestionsExercise 9. Editing AudioChapter 10. Mixing and Creating a BounceBasic Mixer TerminologyMixing in the Session ViewAutomationUsing Devices for MixingBacking Up Your SessionCreating a Stereo MixdownReview/Discussion QuestionsExercise 10. Automating Shared Effects and Exporting a Stereo MixFinal Project. Creating a Musical ArrangementPowering UpGetting StartedCreating New TracksWorking with MIDI DataWorking with Audio DataRecording from Session to Arrangement ViewFinishing Your WorkAppendix A. Ableton Live Audio and MIDI EffectsAppendix B. Ableton Live Software InstrumentsIndexAbout the Authors