"Move," Ableton's new invention?

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Ableton Cook up
October 02, 2024

In today’s newsletter:

  • 📋 Preparing a Live Set in Ableton Live: Tips from Ori Moto

  • 💡 Creative Uses of Ableton Live’s Chord Device

  • ⿻ Using a Reference Track to Build a Structure Grid

  • 🌍 Ableton Live Community Ableton Move?

  • ✅[Workflow Trick] Add Locators

📋 Preparing a Live Set in Ableton Live: Tips from Ori Moto

Ori Moto is the electronic project of music and video-maker Raymond Wassef (aka Ray Mann). Combining the polyrhythms of his Egyptian heritage, the melodies from his experience as a musician in Sydney, and the found sounds of his artistic journey in Berlin, Moto creates a unique sonic experience.

1. Exporting and Organizing Tracks. Each track is split into individual stems—like beats, vocals, or synths—that are treated as separate instruments in Ableton’s clip view. Songs are divided into sections, represented by vertical scenes. After recording a draft performance by triggering scenes in the desired order, the stems are exported as .wav files, clearly named and well-organized. These stems are then loaded into a live set prepared specifically for the performance.

2. Setting Up the Live Set. Within the live set, a separate track is added for live vocals. On the master channel, effects such as EQ, Glue Compressor, and Limiter are applied to maintain a balanced sound. To sync the tempo for each scene, right-click the scene name, select “Edit Launch Tempo,” and set the correct BPM for each track. Each section of a track can be organized into loops by adjusting the start and end points using the LOOP function.

3. Optimizing for Live Performance. To make performance management easier, color-code the clips, allowing you to trigger them visually without needing to constantly look at the screen. Using a MIDI controller like the Novation Launchpad, you can easily control volumes, sends, and the clip view.

For smooth transitions between songs, Moto leaves empty scenes between tracks, where transition samples like a reverse crash can be inserted.

Technical Setup

Live vocals are routed through a TC Helicon VoicePlay GTX, which is connected to the audio interface and synced manually to match the track’s BPM for effects like delay. Each vocal patch is adjusted for specific songs, keeping effects consistent and volumes balanced.

Additional Tips

  • USB, audio, and power cables should be pre-connected and transported in a case for a quick setup.

  • A clock helps keep track of performance time.

  • A laptop stand can adjust the angle of your gear and make your actions more visible to the audience. Don’t be too mysterious!

  • Ask a sound engineer for help with some tricks or sound adjustments.

By following these steps, you can create a well-structured live set ready for engaging performances!

💡 Creative Uses of Ableton Live’s
Chord Device

Ableton Live’s Chord device is a fantastic tool for building harmonies quickly, but it becomes truly powerful when combined with other devices and automation. While its basic function is to add notes to a single input, automating parameters can open up new dimensions, allowing you to craft dynamic, evolving chord progressions. Let’s explore how to use Chord creatively!

How Chord Works

The Chord device works by adding intervals to the incoming note. For example, setting +4 and +7 gives you a major triad (root, major third, and perfect fifth). However, instead of leaving these intervals static, you can automate them to create moving, evolving chords. This allows you to manipulate harmonies over time, keeping your progressions fresh and dynamic.

Automating Intervals

A creative approach is to map Chord’s intervals to a macro and automate them. This lets you shift the chord structure in real-time without altering the notes in the MIDI clip. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Open the Chord device and map the interval controls to a macro within an effects rack.

  2. Create an automation lane for the macro, and use it to morph the chord progression over time. For example, you could start with a minor triad and gradually shift to a suspended or augmented chord, adding emotional depth to your track.

This technique is great for introducing harmonic variation in a way that feels organic and fluid.

Combine with an Arpeggiator

One of the most powerful combinations is pairing Chord with an Arpeggiator. By sending the harmonies created by Chord through an Arpeggiator, you can create rhythmic patterns that add movement to your chords. Experiment with the Arpeggiator’s settings (rate, gate, style) to produce unique sequences that evolve throughout the track.

Using Randomization for Unpredictability

For more unpredictability, you can introduce the Random device. Placing it after Chord randomizes the notes, resulting in unexpected harmonic variations, perfect for experimental or ambient tracks.

Experiment with the Chord device and take your productions to the next level. Here is a quick tutorial about Chord.

Chord Device

⿻Using a Reference Track to Build a Structure Grid

When diving into music production, one of the biggest challenges is creating a solid structure for your track. A useful technique is to take inspiration from a reference track, not to copy its sounds or melodies, but to analyze its structure and use it to build a grid that will serve as the foundation for your creative process.

1. Choosing Your Reference Track

The first step is to pick a track that inspires you. Ideally, it should be similar in genre or mood to what you want to create. It doesn’t matter if you don’t plan to replicate its sound: you’re only borrowing its architecture! Analyze the track by identifying its sections: intro, verses, choruses, drops, breaks, and outro.

2. Building a Grid and Adding Markers

Once you’ve identified the structure of your reference track, you can build a grid in Ableton. Go to the arrangement view and add markers to indicate different points in the track (intro, drop, break, etc.). You can add markers by right-clicking on the timeline and selecting “Add Locator.” These visual reference points will help you stay organized and clearly see how your track is shaping up.

3. Customizing the Structure

At this point, the grid is just an empty track: now it’s up to you to fill it with your own sounds. You can choose to keep the same dynamics as the reference track or change them completely. The important thing is that you have a solid starting point, allowing you to experiment without losing direction. Don’t worry if your ideas lead you away from the reference track: that’s part of the creative process!

4. Conclusion: From Idea to Complete Track

Using a reference track for structure is a great way to avoid leaving beats unfinished. With a grid already in place, you have a clear goal: the track is ready to be filled, making the process less overwhelming. This approach allows you to focus on musical creation, transforming a vague sketch into a finished track.

Check out Sam Sayers’ videos.

🌍 Ableton Live Community
Ableton Move?

Ableton’s social media shared a number of images of old Live versions saying “Looking back on 25 years of Ableton’s history. And looking forward to something new.” The last image however clearly shows that there is something called “Move” happening on Oct 8th which Ableton didn’t reveal any information about yet! We will keep you updated about this new revelation from Ableton.

Ableton Move

✅[Workflow Trick]
Add Locators

Locators in Live will organize your set visually and increase your speed moving around the set. Locators can even be assigned to MIDI for live performances.

How To Do It?

Add locators by right-clicking on the timeline and selecting “Add Locator”. You can jump between locators by holding "option” or “Alt” and right or left arrow.

Adding Locators

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