What you'll learn
Learn to use Ableton Live for music production with our music short courses in Sydney!
Embark on an immersive journey into the world of music production, guided by local artist and Ableton Certified Trainer, Ed Rollo (aka mredrollo), with this Beginners Music Production Course using Ableton Live. This course is designed for aspiring artists and music enthusiasts who are eager to dive into music making, with little or no prior experience. Our condensed format allows for a concentrated focus on essential skills, ensuring that you not only understand the technical aspects of music production but can also apply them creatively. The hands-on exercises and the final project will provide you with a tangible outcome, an arranged and mixed piece of music, laying the foundation for your future endeavours as a music maker.
Join us on this transformative journey, where you'll not only learn the tools of the trade but also unleash your creativity and find your unique voice in the vast realm of electronic music production.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this beginner Ableton Live course, you should be able to:
- Grasp the fundamental concepts of Ableton Live, from navigating the interface to setting up your projects efficiently
- Explore beat building with Drum Racks
- Demystify MIDI, music theory, synthesis basics
- Delve into the art of audio editing and effects application
- Gain a solid understanding of arranging your compositions and refining them into a polished, professional sound
- Perform basic mixing of electronic music and prepare tracks for output to professional mixers
Course content
What will be covered in this beginner music production course?
Week 1: Fundamentals, Setup and Exploration
- Get started with Ableton Live, as we cover installation, interface, setup, navigation, and MIDI fundamentals.
- Engage in hands-on activities and exercises to set up a project, navigate efficiently, and create simple melodies using virtual instruments.
Week 2: Build Beats and Layer Percussion with Drum Racks
- Explore beat making essentials in Ableton Live, covering rhythm, drum kit components, tempo, and time signatures.
- Dive into creating dynamic drum patterns, using Drum Racks, sequencing groovy drum loops, and customising percussion samples, all through practical exercises.
Week 3: Basic Music Theory and Introduction to Synthesis
- Delve into basic Music Theory, exploring pitch, scales, chords, harmony, melody and rhythm.
- From here transitioning into the wonderful world of Synthesis and Sound Design, understanding synthesis principles, signal flow, and creating basic synthesised sounds, with exercises aimed at developing fundamental understanding of how melody and harmony all comes together.
Week 4: Audio Editing and Processing
- Discover how to work with audio in Ableton Live, as we cover basic importing, editing, resampling and live instrument recording.
- Move into one of the more satisfying aspects of music production, Audio Effects! Introducing basic audio effects, applying them to audio and MIDI, and experimenting with automation.
- Learn how to edit, move, manipulate, process or even completely destroy audio.
Week 5: Arrange, Finalise and Export
- Learn the fundamentals of composition and arrangement, exploring song structure basics, capturing your ideas quickly, recording instruments in your arrangement and how to clean up any issues along the way.
- In the final project refinement, we’ll delve into basic mixing techniques, add expression, a little flair, and prepare your project for export as your final exercise.
Intended audience
Who is this music production course for?
Participants of this course must have basic computer literacy, however no prior music production experience is required.
Course venue
2A Gordon Street, Rozelle NSW 2039 (corner of Gordon St & Victoria Rd on the grounds of St. Joseph's Church)
Course materials
What to bring to class
- Your own laptop capable of running Ableton Live smoothly.
- An active Ableton Live software license. If you don’t already have one, you can sign up for a free trial here: Ableton Live Free Trial.
- A pair of wired headphones with a 3.5mm jack (unfortunately, Bluetooth or wireless headphones cannot be used).
- A USB if you’d like to save your work.
Additional information
This course is now BYO laptop and software. Students will need to have Ableton Live installed on their laptop prior to class. If you do not already own the software, a free trial is available to help you get started.
Course testimonials
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Jane said: the tutor was encouraging and available to answer questions, and planned the course well!
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Robina said: The teacher was very enthusiastic and encouraging. The classes were interesting, we covered a lot of material over the course, and the skills we were taught were much easier to apply than I had anticipated. Thank you!
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Jonathan said: Thank you for a great course. It really helped me and I enjoyed every lesson. Jonathan.
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Bonnie said: I really enjoyed the course. Anthony was a great tutor, highly skilled and passionate about what he does. I'm delighted to have the foundation skills and I feel way more comfortable using Ableton. I would happily recommend this to anyone keen on starting production
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Maxwell said: Great teacher, lots of fun!
Course tutors
Ed Rollo
Great reasons to enrol in a short course with us
Small classes
A personal approach means quality learning, so you can enjoy plenty of interaction with your instructor and the chance to ask questions.
Short & sweet
Our short courses & workshops get straight to the point, providing the skills you need with minimal commitment of your precious time.
Facilities & equipment
Our range of venues suit every type of course, are easy to get to, and have the equipment and tech needed to support your learning.
Easy, secure enrolment
Enrol online 24/7 with a safe, convenient 3-step process, and you can change your mind up to 7 days before class starts.
Quality instructors
Our educators bring first-hand experience and knowledge, with up-to-the-minute practices from diverse industries.
Business or pleasure
Our courses help you rapidly increase your skills and knowledge, for professional development or personal interest.
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Classes Online Courses
<p>Learn to use Ableton Live for music production with our <a href="https://www.sydneycommunitycollege.edu.au/courses/music">music short courses</a> in Sydney!</p>
<p>Embark on an immersive journey
...If there isn't a class to suit you, please join our waitlist and we will notify you when we have places available. Join waitlist for Music Production with Ableton Live: Beginners Course
If there isn't a class to suit you, please join our waitlist and we will notify you when we have places available. Join waitlist for Music Production with Ableton Live: Beginners Course