Who this is for
DJs and producers who can make loops but struggle to finish. If you want a clear path from ideas to a polished, club-tested record, this is your roadmap.
Who this is for
DJs and producers who can make loops but struggle to finish. If you want a clear path from ideas to a polished, club-tested record, this is your roadmap.
What you’ll learn (outcomes)
Set up a pro Ableton template with six sound families (Low End, Drums, Basslines, Harmonies, Melodies, Vocals/FX) and keep projects organized for speed.
Arrange complete songs with the six core sections: Intro, Break, Development, Build-Up, Drop, Outro.
Design layered basslines (sub + mid) and clean them with EQ Eight filters to avoid frequency clash.
Automate movement (filters, volume, BPM, stereo width) and use creative touches like Vocoder on percussion.
Build transition FX and “ear-candy” for professional energy arcs.
Process your mix with a proven chain (EQ → saturation → compression → utility) and sidechain the bass to the kick.
Mix confidently using a spectrum analyzer (e.g., Voxengo SPAN) and calibrate levels around the kick.
Export a clean pre-master WAV and finish with tasteful, loudness-safe mastering for release.
Bonus: pro workflow tips (reference tracks, “Collect All and Save,” produce plugged-in for max CPU headroom).
What’s included
10× 2-hour videos (lifetime access): follow along as we build a track from scratch.
Masterclass eBook (PDF): step-by-step guide, checklists, and screenshots that mirror the videos.
Printable weekly homework checklist (PDF) to keep you on track. (Download below.)
Project files & racks created during the lessons.
Requirements
Ableton Live 11 (Standard or Suite recommended), headphones/monitors, and a laptop. For best performance, produce while plugged in to avoid CPU throttling.
Curriculum (10 weeks at a glance)
Week 1 — Setup & First Beat: Build the 6-families template; make two starter beats; save your template.
Week 2 — Arrangement & Basslines: Map the 6 song sections; automate drum energy; split bass into sub/mid with EQ Eight.
Week 3 — Harmonies & FX: Pads/atmospheres, transition FX, and ear-candy placement.
Week 4 — Vocals & Melodies: Add/record vocal ideas, slice to MIDI for stabs, polish leads.
Week 5 — Vocal Identity: Place main vocals, build a vocal-chop instrument, process with a Vocal FX rack, “Collect All and Save.”
Week 6 — Automation Mastery: Filters, volume, BPM, pan/width; creative Vocoder tricks.
Week 7 — Storytelling & Polish: Phrase-by-phrase momentum, group filtering, send-FX transitions.
Week 8 — Processing & Sidechain: Full chains on kick/bass; sidechain; save reusable racks.
Week 9 — Mixing: Kick-anchored balance, resonance cleanup, SPAN on the master, export pre-master.
Week 10 — Mastering & Release Prep: Subtle master chain, format-ready exports, cover art & promos.
FAQs
How much time should I budget per week?
About 2–4 hours beyond the lesson: one focused build session and one refinement pass.
Do I need third-party plugins?
No, the course is Ableton-first; optional tools (like SPAN) are free.
Will I actually finish a track?
Yes. The weekly homework progresses a single project from loop → arrangement → mix → master.
What if my laptop struggles?
Keep it plugged in, freeze/flatten heavy tracks, and avoid CPU spikes.
How do I keep projects portable?
Use File → Collect All and Save to bundle samples with your project.
Can I reuse these workflows on future tracks?
Totally. Save your template and FX racks; the system is designed to be repeatable.
Is this beginner-friendly?
Yes—Week 1 covers navigation, setup, and your first beat before moving step-by-step.
