As someone who is rather inexperienced with Ableton (only having used it to compose, never perform), a great amount of research must go into the performance side. On this page I will be looking towards Ableton tutorials, artists who are experienced in this style, and general performance tips and tricks. All this is being done with the showcase in mind, and the goal of becoming a musician capable of displaying a confident, accomplished performance.
The first video[1] I watched was this, of musician Rachel K Collier explaining her process and talking through how she sets up and performs this live rendition of her song, “And I Breathe”.
Things to take away from this video:
- Set-up is key. Record enable all channels, name them accordingly, and add any effects required prior to performing, this improves efficiency. Ensure channels are receiving and sending audio via the correct inputs and outputs, respectively, this includes allowing yourself to hear a metronome without also allowing the audience to do so as well.
- When recording percussive parts through MIDI, enable “Record Quantisation” to ensure that it stays on beat. Other sections of the track should be given some leeway but the kick drum is the foundation for the beat to be built upon, meaning it needs to be accurate.
- In a similar sense to the first point, you can map buttons and knobs and sliders and any number of dials to effects and filters in Ableton, to use Collier in the above video as an example, if you were to record a vocal loop and map a knob to alter a certain filter, you can simply use that knob during the performance to play with the sound and keep things interesting without having to look at a PC screen – this is a benefit as it looks more engaging to the audience and allows for more showmanship.
- For switching between sections, make use of scenes. This involves moving onto creating loops in a new scene, playing around with which clips stop and which continue as you switch, and using additional channels to use different effects or instruments.
This next video[2] is producer TAETRO talking through the process and the advantages to live looping in Ableton but, interestingly, without using the inbuilt Looper tool. Both videos I have watched excluded that specific tool, in favour of using Ableton itself as one great Looper.
Things to take away from this video:
- Ensure tempo is set to what you require prior to beginning your performance. The higher pitched click of the metronome indicates the downbeat of each bar and it is hugely important that this is recognised as it will allow me to stay in time and know when to start playing to create a loop.
- Global launch quantisation must be active. I will have GLQ set to one bar meaning no matter when I press the button, the action won’t trigger until the downbeat in the next bar. Whether that’s triggering a prerecorded loop or the action of recording a new loop, it won’t happen until the next downbeat. This prevents my loops from being anything but full bars, helping it all stay in time.
- If I wanted any set loops to trigger exactly when I want them (probably as an improvised addition) then I am able to do so. To do this I’d need to go into the settings of that specific clip to turn off the “Loop” button, and change quantisation from “Global” to “None”, this alters the loop so it won’t be triggered on the next downbeat, allowing me to press play on it, and actually have it play instantly.
- If I’m playing a guitar/bass loop that would prevent me from reaching the record button in time, I am able to work using empty clips with set loop times and avoid even thinking about reaching the record button. In the “Notes” subsection, I can alter the length of the loop. In the above video, TAETRO only uses MIDI instruments with his audio interface, I will be working with audio instruments; I see no reason why that would remove this capability but I will have to experiment and ensure that this is indeed something I can actually do.