Music Production with Ableton Short Course
Course description
Course overview
The Music Production with Ableton Short Course offers students an insight into the basics of music production using Ableton software.
With a focus on electronic music and music production, this 25-hour course is taught through a combination of workshops, practical exercises on Ableton, in-class discussions and tutor examples.
Students learn the basics of Ableton software, audio editing, DAW session management, creating and manipulating MIDI, synthesis basics, chords and melody, Ableton instruments and effects, arrangement basics for electronic music, automation and mixing.
Students will need to have a copy of Ableton Live software (Ableton 'Suite' is recommended) as they will be expected to work on Ableton for at least 1 hour per day outside of classes. By the end of the course, students should have made a piece of electronic music using Ableton software.
Who this course is for
This course is aimed at beginners with little to no experience of Ableton who are keen to get started making music. It would be an ideal choice for anyone who wants to get into producing electronic music, DJs who want to begin making their own productions, and those interested in learning more about making music on the computer using Ableton. A passion and interest in music in general would be beneficial.
Key information
Topics covered
- Music Production basics in Ableton
- Basic Synthesis and creating sounds from scratch
- Sampling sounds and sample manipulation
- Writing and arranging electronic music
- Basics of mixing for a demo track
Learning outcomes
- Have learnt the practical aspects of using Ableton Software
- Understand the basics of music production
- Know and be able to apply the basics of synthesis and sampling
- Understand the basics of mixing a track to a rough demo standard
- Create a piece of electronic music in a DAW
- Digital badge and certificate of attendance
Materials
- Notebook and pen
- Suitable quality headphones (non-Bluetooth)
- Copy of Ableton Live 'Suite' for practice at home
Tutor
Gareth Mitchell
Gareth is a sound artist practicing in composition, performance and installation. He has released albums for labels such as Kranky and Staalplaat and performed at festivals such as Online Flash Film Festival (Barcelona) and EARational ('s-Hertogenbosch), along with venues such as New York's The Knitting Factory and Berlin's Madam Claude.
He has created installations at locations such as Angus Hughes Gallery, Waterman's Arts Centre (London) and La Nuit Blanche (Calgary), and composed several works for theatre and dance at venues including Düsseldorf Opera House, Vault Festival, The Coronet Theatre and The Place (London). In 2024, he presented multichannel installations at UAL's Unfolding Narratives 4 exhibition and Spatial Audio Gathering (SAG) at De Montfort University.
Utilising extended techniques and samples of his recordings, Gareth also creates, composes and performs using voice and guitar, along with a wide variety of synthesis techniques. He is currently working on a PhD, based at London College of Communication, UAL, entitled Spatial Sonics of a Contemporary Tree, and lectures on the BA Sound Arts and MA Music Production courses, also at LCC, UAL.
Tamas Czuper
I am a sound designer and musician with more than eighteen years of experience in the creative industry delivering projects to clients including Lacoste, Speedo, Berghaus and Canterbury. My professional portfolio with showreel can be found here: https://www.monoxyproduction.com I have produced recordings of large events and performances (https://www.soocmedia.com/), developed sound design for advertising films, short films and installation works. Also, I have worked on a number of short and feature-length films as a sound designer and location recordist, including The Children of Wickerman.
After obtaining my BA Degree in Sound Design and Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education I have taught professional workshops and lectures at South Bank University and Ravensbourne University London. As associate lecturer at LSBU I am responsible for module leadership, managing the delivery and assessment of these modules. In addition to these I also run workshops about Sound for Film and Game Audio in Unity and FMOD.
Recently, I have also been contributing to University College London as an Audio and Studio Technician and Lecturer, where I support practical learning environments and deliver specialised instruction in audio technologies. This role further enhances my ability to bridge the gap between technical expertise and academic engagement.
My core expertise includes sound and music software including Pro Tools, Adobe Audition, Logic Pro, Sound Particles, FMOD, Wwise and Unity, training workshops, conceptual and creative project development and professional portfolio development for creative industries.
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