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Limiting
Limiting
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Making a beat on a MIDI track.
When I launch Ableton Live I like to use the Session View window and Drum racks presets via MIDI keyboard function or Computer MIDI keyboard by activating the keyboard button. I like the way that the light-grey pads light up yellow-green when played and that I can adjust the octave range with a press of a button (Z and X keys). I'll use the Metronome button at the top left corner to turn it on. When I set a count-in time in bars I'll click the Record button and after count-in I will play a dum part on the beat with the metronome. I will press the Spacebar to stop recording.
Syncing a loop to host tempo (warping).
The automatic waraping of most audio can be a great and quick solution but I like to be precise and I appreciate the warping functionality to fine tune timing and pitch of clips to taste. I will zoom in on the waveform to make sure that I got the Start Marker in the right place and drag downwards on the Sample Display on the first beat to magnify it. When setting the start points of audio clip I am aiming for placing it on the 'zero line'- at the centre of waveform to prevent audible clicks that can occur during audio playback.
Recording an arrangement live with the Session view window.
Live is my helpful tool for arrangements since it can launch samples, loops and other parts so they play back with the metronome in time and will start on the downbeat of the next bar. I like to have a jam triggering the selection of clips on each channel (scene launch) while the arrangement window stores the performance and makes it available for correction. I use Live session view to generate new ideas or as a part of a jam session to come up with a cool combination of clips. I found The AKAI APC mini a flawless controlling device for this process.
Ducking a bassline with a kick drum - Sidechain Compression
Many times I've experienced a masking effect while two or more notes played at the same time. It can be detected easily and it requires a technique which can control signals output. To duck (attenuate) the particular instrument in level when it is to prominent, it volume can be lowered manually (fader riding) or automatically by using a device called the Compressor. I've been using it quite a lot to create a pumping effect in FL mobile (Autoduck) or Logic Pro X.
24 Keys Rule
It is my concept of trying to fit all 24 basic scales onto an album idea, so there will be a greater musical palette than just a very bland affair to a large number of tracks.
Chopping and preparing samples.
Mashine from Native Instruments chops in such a way that as soon as we can hear the sound coming through, the pads are ready to divide it into segments and it can be done on the fly.
I've figured out how to do that a lot cheaper. I need to set quantization to none to avoid on beat playback, then record to a channel in session view window pressing record button on following clips on the right time like every whole note or as desire. Last step is to grab all the chops and drop them into the drum rack . Set up spare channel to resample mode (input tab) to be able to record new paterns. It's easy and efficient.
Also before the session I try to record samples for further layering/replacement.
They will then fill the drum rack and hopefully contribute to any song where something is not right or just need a little enhance.
Mostly individually, I'll take my pad and pen, being loyal to FL mobile to lay some keys for the beat I look for just a little space and that is what I like the most about my workflow, fact that I don't need much of a surface to create. I like to be in a reasonably good mood, but there were days of a different character when I still strived for my music and it came up with a good effect.
Producing on the go.
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