What you'll learn
Learn to use Ableton Live for music production with our music short courses in Sydney!
Calling all musicians, artists, producers, beat-makers and electronic music enthusiasts! It has never been easier to create sophisticated music with minimal equipment at a low cost. Whether you're looking to build a career in music production or you want to write and produce your own music, Ableton Live enables you to compose, record and mix music using a huge selection of synthesisers, drum machines and sound mixers. This music production course introduces you to Ableton Live and gives you the skills to produce music on your own using just a laptop and a keyboard, all in a compact 5-week course.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this Ableton Live course, you should be able to:
- Understand the browser, Session and Arrangement views within Ableton Live
- Work with audio and MIDI clips
- Program drums, leads and pads with instrument racks
- Perform basic sequencing, sampling and effects
- Configure your own preferences in Ableton Live
- Perform basic mixing of electronic music and prepare tracks for output to professional mixers
You might also be interested in our Learn to DJ: Beginners Course.
Course content
What will be covered in this music production course?
Week 1: Introduction to the interface & MIDI Sequencing
- Become familiar with the important functions of the interface
- Create and build your own drum tracks from scratch
- Create multiple ideas from a single MIDI drum loop
- Manipulate MIDI clips in session view
- Gain the knowledge to set up and map MIDI controllers
- Play, record and edit a basic bass line idea to suit drums
- Use MIDI effects in Ableton to generate arpeggios & chords
Week 2: Digital Audio
- Record your own audio files using a mic or direct input
- Manipulate and edit audio files to match the musical idea
- Create drum racks from loops or your own recordings
- Rearrange and remix your own recordings
- Create unique sonic textures and basic sound design
- Remix existing ideas into your own
Week 3: Intro to Sound Design and FX
- Distinguish audio effects and their respective names
- Knowledge of the basic features in each effect unit
- Use reverb, delay to give depth and space in your productions
- Understand basic sound design principles and how a synthesiser works
- Modulation of sounds using filters, ADRS and LFOs
- Familiar with the physics behind the sounds
- Start developing your personal ‘sound’
Week 4: Arrangement
- Transfer the ideas from the session view to the arrangement view
- Transform short musical ideas into a complete track
- Learn from the best: reference tracks, radio edits and popular arrangement formulas that work
- Record, edit and automate (volume, effects, pitch etc.)
- Tips on good habits and how to avoid bad ones
Week 5: Intro to Mixing and Mastering
- Understands the fundamentals of audio mixing
- Familiar with the basic mixer features in Ableton
- Apply a good balance of the elements
- Understand the fundamental difference between mixing and mastering
- Polishing the mix and final touches
Intended audience
Who is this music production course for?
This course is for anyone who wants to gain skills in electronic music production.
Course materials
Materials provided
- Apple iMac with 27in screen
- Ableton Live 10 Suite
- Novation Launchkey Mk 2 MIDI controller
What to bring to class
- A pair of headphones or earphones
- A basic to intermediate knowledge of computers as this Ableton Live course is highly technical
- A USB if you would like to save your work
- If you wish, your own laptop to the class (Apple or Windows) provided you have installed a copy of Ableton Live 8, 9 or 10 (preferably 10) before attending, this can be a trial version
- If you wish, your own MIDI controller, provided it will fit on the desks provided. The tutor is happy to adapt the class to suit students who bring in their own gear, but reserves the right to ask you to use the College facilities if technical complications affect the learning environment
Additional information
Please note the following:
This Music Production for Ableton live course runs in our computer lab, fitted with 27-inch Apple computers.
Course testimonials
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Michael said: I loved this course. I was expecting to learn how to record music but it is so much more. The passion that the tutor has for the creation of music really made this special. Highly recommended!
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James said: Very informative and enjoyable.
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Jeff said: The teacher was very helpful and knowledgeable about not only the technical aspects of the program but about the broader creative process of producing music too. Great guy as well.
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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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dean said: Anthony was a fantastic tutor and all students were lovely.
Course tutors
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>Calling all musicians, artists,
...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 Course: Learn Ableton Live
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 Course: Learn Ableton Live