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<Volver

"Mirrors in the void"  (Mexican premiere]

Apr.5.19

Xalapa Symphony - Eduardo Leandro, conducting

Ableton Live Course

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Week 1: Introduction to Ableton Live

  • Overview of Ableton Live: Understanding the interface and workflow

  • Setup: Setting up Ableton Live and configuring audio preferences

  • Basic Navigation: Exploring the session and arrangement view

 

Week 2: Understanding Clips and Scenes

  • MIDI Clips: Creating and editing MIDI clips

  • Audio Clips: Importing, warping, and editing audio clips

  • Scenes: Launching and arranging scenes for live performance

  • Clip Automation: Automating parameters within clips

 

Week 3: Working with MIDI Instruments

  • MIDI Instruments Overview: Introduction to Ableton’s built-in instruments

  • Instrument Rack: Creating and using instrument racks

  • Drum Racks: Programming and sequencing drums

  • External MIDI: Integrating external MIDI instruments

 

Week 4: Audio Effects and Processing

  • Introduction to Audio Effects: Overview of Ableton’s Audio Effects

  • Insert Effects: Using insert effects on tracks

  • Send and Return Tracks: Setting up and using send/return effects

  • Effect Racks: Creating and using effect racks for complex processing

 

Week 5: Sound Design and Synthesis

  • Basic Synthesis Concepts: Understanding oscillators, filters, envelopes, and LFOs

  • Analog and Operator: Exploring Ableton’s Synthesizers

  • Samplers and Simpler: Using sampling instruments for sound design

 

Week 6: Sound processing

  • EQ and Filtering: Techniques for sculpting and shaping sounds

  • Reverb and Delay: Adding depth and space to your tracks

  • Distortion and Saturation: Enhancing sound character and warmth

  • Creative Effects: Using modulation effects like chorus, flanger, and phaser

  • Resampling: Techniques for creating rich, complex sounds

 

Week 7: Mixing Fundamentals

  • Mixing Basics: Understanding levels, panning, and EQ

  • Dynamic Processing: Using compressors and limiters

  • Mixing Workflow: Tips for a productive mixing workflow

 

Week 8: Live Performance with Ableton

  • Live Performance Setup: Configuring Ableton for live performance

  • Using Controllers: Integrating MIDI controllers for live sets

  • Performance Techniques: Tips and tricks for dynamic live performances

  • Recording Live Sets: Techniques for recording live performances

 

Week 11: Advanced Live Performance Techniques

  • Advanced Live Performance Setup: Optimizing Ableton Live for complex live setups

  • Live Looping Techniques: Advanced looping methods for live improvisation

  • On-the-Fly Remixing: Techniques for real-time remixing and mashups

  • Performance Effects: Using real-time effects to enhance live performances

 

Week 12: Final Project and Review

  • Final Project: Creating a complete track or live set

  • Peer Review: Sharing and reviewing projects with classmates

  • Course Review: Recap of key concepts and techniques

Music Synthesis course

 

Week 1: Introduction - An Instrument with Multiple Bodies

  • Understanding Synthesizers: The concept of synthesizers as instruments with multiple bodies

  • History and Evolution: Overview of the development of synthesizers

  • Types of Synthesizers: Analog, digital, semi-modular, and modular synthesizers

  • Basic Components: Oscillators, filters, amplifiers, and envelopes

 

Week 2: Synth Environments 

  • Analog Synthesizers

  • Exploring the capabilities of digital synths

  • Semi-Modular Synthesizers

  • Modular Synthesizers

  • Configuring and using different synth environments

 

Week 3: Sound Synthesis Techniques 

  • Principles of Subtractive Synthesis

  • Oscillators and Waveforms

  • Filters: Low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and notch filters

  • Envelopes and LFOs

 

Week 4: Additive Synthesis

  • Concept of Additive Synthesis

  • Harmonics and Overtones: Understanding the harmonic series

  • Partial Timbres: Creating and manipulating partials

  • Sound Design: Practical applications of additive synthesis

 

Week 5: FM Synthesis

  • Introduction to FM Synthesis

  • Operators and Algorithms:

  • Modulation Techniques:

  • Practical Examples

 

Week 6: Wavetable and Other Methods

  • Wavetable Synthesis

  • Wave Scanning: Morphing between different waveforms

  • Granular Synthesis

  • Creating sounds with wavetable, granular, etc.

 

Week 7: Synthesis Beyond Synthesizers

  • Sampling Techniques: Using samples in synthesis

  • Field Recording: Incorporating real-world sounds into your music

  • Hybrid Synthesis: Combining different synthesis methods

  • Creative Uses: Exploring unconventional sound sources and techniques

 

Week 8: Modulation Techniques

  • Basics of Modulation

  • LFOs and Envelopes:

  • Advanced Modulation: Using step sequencers, S&H, and more

  • Applying modulation techniques in sound design

 

Week 9: Sound Processing Techniques

  • Dynamic Processing

  • EQ and Filtering

  • Reverb and Delay

  • Distortion and Saturation

  • Using modulation effects like chorus, flanger, and phaser​

 

Week 10: Modulation as Composition

  • Concept of Modulation in Composition

  • Complex Modulation

  • Algorithmic Composition: Using modulation for generative music

  • Composing music with a focus on modulation

 

Week 11: Synth Performativity

  • Configuring synthesizers for live performance

  • Using synths dynamically in a live context

  • Integrating controllers and interactive elements

  • Techniques for live improvisation with synthesizers

  • Preparing and performing a live synth set

 

Week 12: Final Project and Review

  • Final Project

  • Peer Review: Sharing and critiquing projects with classmates

  • Course Recap: Reviewing key concepts and techniques

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