Ableton - advice for a novice
Ableton - advice for a novice
I’ve fancied dabbling with a DAW for a while - not with any illusions of turning into an amazing produced - more for a bit of a new hobby / interest.
After a bit of research, I’ve ordered a reasonably powerful laptop with plenty of Processing power / storage and on arrival I’ll be downloading Ableton Live 11 Standard (thought it best to hold fire with ordering Suite at the outset, wanted a bit more than Intro, so I’m going for the middle ground).
To start I’ll just be playing with the software and using headphones but may look at a midi keyboard, audio interface and other bits and bats, down the line if I get into it.
I’m hoping that there might be one or two users of Ableton on here who can give a new user, and complete novice, some advice on the best ways to start off using Ableton (absolute basics welcome, literally from first installing).
Cheers
David
After a bit of research, I’ve ordered a reasonably powerful laptop with plenty of Processing power / storage and on arrival I’ll be downloading Ableton Live 11 Standard (thought it best to hold fire with ordering Suite at the outset, wanted a bit more than Intro, so I’m going for the middle ground).
To start I’ll just be playing with the software and using headphones but may look at a midi keyboard, audio interface and other bits and bats, down the line if I get into it.
I’m hoping that there might be one or two users of Ableton on here who can give a new user, and complete novice, some advice on the best ways to start off using Ableton (absolute basics welcome, literally from first installing).
Cheers
David
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Re: Ableton - advice for a novice
I've been using Ableton for over 10 years, I've just set up this gmail email address so I can help/point you in the right direction rather than spam on here because there are so many topics and so much to learn. Feel free to email me and we'll get you going dcabletonhelp@gmail.com (i thought it the most appropriate address !!)DCWat wrote: ↑Wed May 18, 2022 1:04 pmI’ve fancied dabbling with a DAW for a while - not with any illusions of turning into an amazing produced - more for a bit of a new hobby / interest.
After a bit of research, I’ve ordered a reasonably powerful laptop with plenty of Processing power / storage and on arrival I’ll be downloading Ableton Live 11 Standard (thought it best to hold fire with ordering Suite at the outset, wanted a bit more than Intro, so I’m going for the middle ground).
To start I’ll just be playing with the software and using headphones but may look at a midi keyboard, audio interface and other bits and bats, down the line if I get into it.
I’m hoping that there might be one or two users of Ableton on here who can give a new user, and complete novice, some advice on the best ways to start off using Ableton (absolute basics welcome, literally from first installing).
Cheers
David
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Re: Ableton - advice for a novice
Mainly a cubase , fruity loops then logic producer myself. But bought the akai force when it came out and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. Integrated with ableton if you want but as a stand-alone it’s the best kit about.
Some great YouTube tutorials on most things ableton mate. I’d just start from the beginning and work your way through. Also don’t skimp on the vst’s. You pay for the better sounds
Some great YouTube tutorials on most things ableton mate. I’d just start from the beginning and work your way through. Also don’t skimp on the vst’s. You pay for the better sounds
Re: Ableton - advice for a novice
I am selling an Akai Force if any good. Although not Ableton, it is a standalone system with similar workflow....
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Re: Ableton - advice for a novice
What are you all talking about?
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Re: Ableton - advice for a novice
I use Ableton, with an AKAI APC key 25. It's only a bit of fun, I never finish anything but I like throwing together drum loops.
I have only purchased the Operator synth and the Korg M1 soft synth - both of which are very useful!
Ideally I'd like a larger keyboard than the mini keys of the 25 - but it's a back-bedroom setup, used for work and other things so that's not proved possible to date.
I have only purchased the Operator synth and the Korg M1 soft synth - both of which are very useful!
Ideally I'd like a larger keyboard than the mini keys of the 25 - but it's a back-bedroom setup, used for work and other things so that's not proved possible to date.
Re: Ableton - advice for a novice
Thanks for the replies.
Vegas, I’ll ping you an email once I’m up and running and have got some questions - I’ll have a look through the help bits first otherwise I’ll be inundating you, which I probably will be anyway
Vegas, I’ll ping you an email once I’m up and running and have got some questions - I’ll have a look through the help bits first otherwise I’ll be inundating you, which I probably will be anyway
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Re: Ableton - advice for a novice
no worries........a few things to get you started
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lt3Ih0tSepI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rj9TxqhVDAA
then watch the stuff on their channels and look at the other suggestions it will throw up for channels. I've been doing it 10 years and still watch 2-3 tutorials per day
Probs best to quote me on here once you send an email, it's not an account I would normally check !
Re: Ableton - advice for a novice
A bit of a surprise to see a daw related query on this forum, unfortunately I don’t work on Ableton, but some advice from me would be to get used to using the stock plug-ins (if it has any) before delving in to the minefield of purchasing some.
But in my view the Universal Audio stuff has among the best out there.
But in my view the Universal Audio stuff has among the best out there.
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Re: Ableton - advice for a novice
Eeeeee we've come a long way since eJay
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Re: Ableton - advice for a novice
absolutely spot on regarding the stock stuff, Ableton has some good gearjos wrote: ↑Wed May 18, 2022 6:29 pmA bit of a surprise to see a daw related query on this forum, unfortunately I don’t work on Ableton, but some advice from me would be to get used to using the stock plug-ins (if it has any) before delving in to the minefield of purchasing some.
But in my view the Universal Audio stuff has among the best out there.
As and when though, look at the free section here https://www.pluginboutique.com/ for some other bits and bobs. Also note, bar the odd thing (like Serum) plug ins generally go on sale from time to time and the discounts can be huge.
Re: Ableton - advice for a novice
Thanks Vegas / Jos.
Vegas - I’ll plough through the YouTube guides etc (probably once the season is over) and come back to you if any questions.
I’ll definitely be exploring the endless array of plug ins but think I’ll hold fire with that to start with until I’ve got a good grasp of the basic of Ableton.
Opening it up for the first time, it looks like there’s going to be a lot of learning!!
Vegas - I’ll plough through the YouTube guides etc (probably once the season is over) and come back to you if any questions.
I’ll definitely be exploring the endless array of plug ins but think I’ll hold fire with that to start with until I’ve got a good grasp of the basic of Ableton.
Opening it up for the first time, it looks like there’s going to be a lot of learning!!
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Re: Ableton - advice for a novice
I watched tutorials for 6 weeks solid before I even opened it up ! I'll try and find the channels I used and get back to youDCWat wrote: ↑Wed May 18, 2022 6:51 pmThanks Vegas / Jos.
Vegas - I’ll plough through the YouTube guides etc (probably once the season is over) and come back to you if any questions.
I’ll definitely be exploring the endless array of plug ins but think I’ll hold fire with that to start with until I’ve got a good grasp of the basic of Ableton.
Opening it up for the first time, it looks like there’s going to be a lot of learning!!
Re: Ableton - advice for a novice
Cheers Vegas.
Do you use the full version - Live 11 Suite?
Do you use the full version - Live 11 Suite?
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Re: Ableton - advice for a novice
Started with Logic (when it was still on PC and called emagic), been all the way around the houses (including Ableton) and I'm back on Logic- which is now only available on Apple devices.
Problem is, Macs are so bloody expensive.
I've never done any formal training on Logic, I've always found it 100% intuitive.
Problem is, Macs are so bloody expensive.
I've never done any formal training on Logic, I've always found it 100% intuitive.
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Re: Ableton - advice for a novice
I did have a look at that as an option, alongside a couple of others and might again in the future, if I do get into it.dougcollins wrote: ↑Wed May 18, 2022 8:29 pmStarted with Logic (when it was still on PC and called emagic), been all the way around the houses (including Ableton) and I'm back on Logic- which is now only available on Apple devices.
Problem is, Macs are so bloody expensive.
I've never done any formal training on Logic, I've always found it 100% intuitive.
You’re right about the macs, for a MacBook Pro I’d have been looking at around £2,700 for similar specs to the windows laptop I ended up going with to run Ableton.
A bit too much to splash out unless I know I’ll actually get the use out of it.
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Re: Ableton - advice for a novice
I've currently got a 'pre 2020' imac 27" screen - they possibly are the best value, as no screen is too big when you're operating a DAW. i5 intel quad processor.
You can pick them up, depending on spec, for around £1500 - £2000.
You can pick them up, depending on spec, for around £1500 - £2000.
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Re: Ableton - advice for a novice
10 suite at the moment, I'll get to 11 at some point
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