Ableton Live Basics
An Online Introduction
Next course starts 15 April 2024.
‘I decided to take this course because I had Ableton Live Lite software that came bundled with some gear I’d bought, and I had no idea how to use it. The course far exceeded my expectations. I’d imagined a course that would give me a couple of tips for using Ableton Live more effectively, but Colin provided us with so much more. I now realise why Ableton Live is such a popular software – and I now have a very good idea of what it can do!’
– M. Cleary
‘Ableton Live Basics is a great course to get started with Ableton Live, and it has given me the confidence to make my own music. The course was set at just the right pace, and every class covered something new without being overwhelming. Colin’s friendly and relaxed attitude made the whole experience really enjoyable.’
– E. Wong
Course Description
Ableton Live is rapidly growing in popularity, and for good reason. It’s one of the fastest, most fluid and most flexible DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) available. And not only is it a great DAW, but it also comes with a wide range of effects, instruments, sounds and all kinds of creative features – everything you need to make any kind of music.
Waltons New School of Music’s Ableton Live Basics course is designed both for those who have Ableton Live software and for those who have Ableton Live Lite, which comes bundled with a range of music technology hardware. Over the course of ten weeks and a range of hands-on projects, this practical, inexpensive course covers a number of essential Ableton features:
- Ableton layout & functions
- Arrangement & session views
- Working with clips & scenes
- Looping & samples
- Effects
- Programming MIDI drums
- VST instruments
- Recording using Ableton
- Ableton as a live instrument
- Mixing & automation
- External plug-ins
- Mixdown & exporting
At the end of the course you will have a professional-quality studio mix of the material you’ve been working on, and participants are free to produce their own songs and compositions throughout the course.
Although course participants should have a working knowledge of the PC and Windows or Mac operating systems, no previous musical training, knowledge of music technology or Ableton Live or ability to read music is necessary. This online course can be taken by participants living anywhere in Ireland or around the world.
Please note that classes will be recorded on Zoom and available to any participant who misses a class for up to one week after the missed class.
Questions about the course?
or call us on (01) 478 1884.
This course covers Stage 1 of the New School’s ten-stage system of student progress and assessment, which culminates in a teaching or performing qualification (Stage 10) should the student progress that far. Participants who successfully complete the course can be issued with a certificate of completion of Stage 1. If you are taking the course, please let the school office know if you would like this certificate. See About Our Stage System for more information.
Ableton Live Basics is one of the New School’s group courses. We also offer private lessons in a wide range of music technology subjects. See Music Technology Tuition for more information.
Colin Power
Colin has been an active professional musician, guitarist and audio engineer for the last fifteen years. His performance experience extends to theatrical productions, music festivals, radio performances and recording sessions. He has also produced audio and engineered recording sessions for a wide range of artists and projects. After receiving a Diploma in Multimedia Engineering from the Waterford College of Further Education and an Honours BA in Commercial Modern Music from the British and Irish Modern Music Institute (BIMM Dublin), Colin further validated his range of skills and competencies by completing an MPhil in Music and Media Technologies at Trinity College, Dublin, as well as a postgraduate Diploma in Arts in Educational Practice in Teaching for Further Education, with distinction, with the National College of Ireland. In addition to his teaching with the New School, he has taught guitar, ukulele and music technology to a wide range of students privately, in different music schools and for Music Generation. And in addition to this course, he also teaches our Introducing Music Technology and Summer Music Technology Essentials courses, our Leaving Cert. Music Technology and Music Technology for Teens workshops, and guitar and ukulele lessons and courses for our Outreach Programme and Music at Work Programme.
‘My approach to teaching is based around the philosophy of making music as relatable as possible to students of all ages and backgrounds. I prefer to demonstrate to students how music plays an integral part of their everyday lives and to let their own experiences and interests dictate each individual’s learning process. I also try to integrate technology with instrumental lessons, as I believe that acquiring technological skills as a musician is extremely valuable in the current musical landscape.’
Course Requirements
Participants in this online course will need to have the following equipment and software:
- An internet-connected computer or laptop with either an integrated or separate webcam and microphone, as well as these minimum system requirements:
- Operating System: Windows 10 or macOS X (10.12 or above)
- RAM: 4GB (8GB recommended)
- Disk Space: 15GB
- Headphones or earbuds. (Over ear headphones are preferred for better sound quality.)
- Ideally, internet speed at least 1.5Mb per second. (You can test your speed using Measurement Lab’s Speed Test.)
- Ableton Live or Ableton Live Lite software.
- Free Zoom software.*
* If you haven’t learned music with Zoom before, please see our printable Zoom for Students information sheet for information on how to download and set up Zoom for music tuition.
Before the course begins, the teacher will email you a Zoom meeting invitation that includes a meeting ID and password to join the first class.
Course Video
A brief video showing some of what is covered in the course:
2023-2024 Third Term
Course Schedule & Fee
9 weeks, 15 April – 24 June 2024
(No classes on 6 May & 3 June – Bank Holidays)
Mondays 6.30 – 7.30 am
Course Type: Online
Tuition Fee: €190
Enrolment
Enrolment for this course requires a completed Enrolment Form and full payment of the course fee. Places are limited to eight and are available on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the date of enrolment. Many of our group courses fill in advance of their start dates, and early enrolment is recommended.
Purchasing this course as a gift?
Please complete a Gift Certificate Booking Form.
Questions about the course?
or call us on (01) 478 1884.
