DJ Jazzy Jeff on Ableton Live

DJ Jazzy Jeff is a legendary DJ and producer with countless hits and even signature scratch styles to his name. Jeff's skills and knowledge have earned him a reputation as one of the industry's musical godfathers. With over 20 years in the game and a back catalog covering soul, hip hop, jazz and house, he's still making records and developing the art of the DJ. We got the chance to meet Jeff in his studio, so we took our cameras along.
In this movie, Jeff shows us how he builds a beat and shares his thoughts on Live and Sampler.

[@mickharrison90]

I still come back to this every few months just to get influenced by this. Producers are so obsessed by the technical side of it. We should be having fun like this video!

[@mbp7060]

That scratch at the start of this video was crisp and vintage and invincible.

[@mickharrison90]

I still watch this video every now and then for an inspiration. Amazing stuff with the sampling.

[@colormegeeky]

My hero, inspiration. DJ Jazzy Jeff, the Classy Hip Hop Man. 🎼

[@J-Gx]

I come back to this video twice a month. He's enthousiasm on Ableton just does something to me.

[@kb420ps]

I've been using Live since version 5, and I felt the same way Jeff did when I first made the switch. It's nice to see a Hip Hop legend like Jeff feels the same way about the software that I use.

[@GreatestSportsHighLights]

We feel like he feels now, we a little late to the dance but super excited to just get the standard version and the push 2!! Great combo and we are loving it!

[@zachvogt]

This gets me so pumped to keep learning more and more with live.

[@jeevespreston]

Not sure why, but the phrase "DJ Jazzy Jeff" just makes me smile... :-) sort of like "Diamonds on the soles of her shoes"... seriously, say it lots of times, the words disappear and the beauty of the sound of human speech takes over...

[@BobbyBriscoeBeats]

Ableton is incredible. It took me a month or so of really working hard at learning it to get my brain out of hardware and flstudio mode and into ableton mode. There are some things that are good to know, like make a clip in session, then drag that clip onto the arrangement tab. I'll do that, for a few tracks, the polish the rest of it on out in arrangement mode. It's truly astounding how much this program changed my music. It truly is "limitless."

[@JulianGrayMedia]

its the best program ever. are you useing a pc?

[@e11vn27]

This is exactly what I say. Ableton is simply the best period. The most user friendly program on the market.

[@djgeki]

I'd like to know why people are thumbing this down...I was praising Live! I use it daily!

[@GraffritzNYC2012]

Wow - This review hits bullseye! I've been contemplating between ableton and logic for a minute. Thanks for all the blessings Jazzy Jeff!

[@DarinCates]

GREAT ... now I gotta buy Ableton.

[@CameronCouch]

Jazz has got it right I am ABLETON to heart and will never go back to... peace couch

[@Timtainment]

Thanks a lot for uploading this great statement from JAZZY JEFF(!!!!) Live is really useful and limitless in possibilities!

[@DWilkins82]

Ableton Live is the truth!! so much fun

[@wwil74]

Every time I look at this video.....He makes me wanna open Ableton and make a beat! Hip Hop!!!! Damn.

[@AnalNapalm]

Thats the best sales pitch i ever heard. Ableton, hire this man

[@reg2bat]

just ableton push about 2 weeks ago along with the live intro... going through the tutorials and feeling it out... thanks for the input jeff

[@Netm8kr]

Legendary... I knew he used them, but I peeped the (2) VP9000s front and center on his rack. I heard he swore by those units. I'm still getting use to mines. Intrigued by Ableton to say the least as well. Peace...

[@turn1210]

i love how the james brown sampled beat at the end sounded like how he might have juggled 2 copies of the original record. this guys a legend, you get the sense that he just loves what he does, no hint of an ego at all.

[@orphechristian1019]

i didn't know ya exept for fresh prince show back then but now u got my respect as producer

[@kolajampe]

Ableton is amazing!! coming from FL and Reason when i first saw ableton it looked confusingly simple and limited. When I finally gave it a good go and found out about the drag and drop instant simplicity of it I was able to make a tune in 10 mins! Amazing!!

[@placeboing]

cool video. ableton rocks.

[@abletonfreaks]

still sounding fresh, much respect !

[@XavierMercedis]

That beat was 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@e11vn27]

This is exactly what I say. Ableton is simply the best period.

[@ChiTownNekst773]

I've been just internet digging when it came to samples, now it's time to buy a turn table 😁

[@scorchbox2941]

You're not the only one lmao

[@djdrh]

hahhahaha Watches and Add for Ableton, then buys a Turntable. lol

[@DeAdler_13]

do it

[@DJLOUIEMIX]

OMG he makes look so simple and easy to make music !!! =)

[@ljmoses]

He is so right....Ableton is off the chain once you learn it. Cant wait to upgrade to Live 9 in a few months....Had controller issues with my Novation Impulse 49 not communicating , but a quick call and return....got a new one running flawless.....

[@ghill217]

That scratching though, so smoothed out.

[@techniquesse]

love you man! true legend

[@Brian27R]

The beat at the end is smooooth. One day i hope to record my own scratches into my own beats.

[@thebronxbarberty180]

quite jazzy jeff. i have ableton live * and am utilizing as many ableton professors as much as possible. thanx for the inspiration able tonic

[@0mgwtfsrsly]

@JosephCee Jazzy Jeff is an old skool DJ. Never too late to catch up on his work. I've seen him play live in Baltimore and Miami, and he really knows how to rock it.

[@herorasseru8657]

Can't wait to master the program 👌

[@breconmafia]

word, yes nice toon at end, i like the way he got emotional!!

[@DrZaious]

One of my heroes.

[@SUPERTUBER41]

HEY good to see you jazzy Jeff im glads i found your you-tube channel hey this stuff looks cool like that little James brown skit.

[@PlatinumEntertainmnt]

Jazz is is the best Dj on the planet hands down.

[@undermisensiOPC]

that studio is lookin so nice....btw good looks on that oddisee album jazzy jeff

[@pedro911212]

one of the best djs!

[@kylesmithdjkillakal]

I have a very good feeling about Ableton once i learn the things i need to know, it will change the way i create my music to be soultaking real hip hop ish!!! Good lookin' out Jazz...Peace

[@DJJPlus4]

Would be dope if he would finish and release the first track you hear that he put the scratches on. You can tell this joint was going to be so smooth!

[@lileezy23]

that was fire!!!!!!!!!

[@Aborym1]

The beat at the beginning is the best I've heard by far

[@shidddwhotoldyouthat]

underrated producer LEGENDARY DJ 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Milesfrode]

Respect!

[@GranolaBoyLifestyle]

Djrasadon/Arrested Development, I'm more and more convinced this is for me! As I'm a very hands on production cat as well as a drummer so I think fast and would love my Setup to be able to complament my style. Ableton it is! I'll come back when i got it down! Thanx jazzy!

[@ste_ko]

he imports a song (or whatever) to a track and then he select the parts he want to use. You can drag&drop highlighted areas of the track into the sampler! i hope you understand me :D

[@joeyxl3456]

Great comment SOULGOOD, I feel live has now saved me creatively/musicaly

[@tablesfunkyturn]

Cool man Jazzy!

[@C0LDWiR3]

I'm pretty happy for Ableton too ;)

[@digitulpunk]

Haaaaiiiiiiii - The way he sampled James Brown was awesome!

[@pwkleung]

I've tried for a long time to switch over from Cubase to Live. on and off for the past 3 years i've tried to make the transition but I just couldn't do it. I wanna make one more attempt at it and read the manual from beginning to end. I think I am just comfortable with Cubase which is why it is difficult for me to make the move to Ableton, but I DO KNOW what Ableton is capable of because I have friends that make great stuff with it. I wish I could make this transition because it looks powerful!

[@MusicaDemian]

Ableton is awesome. I switched 2 years ago... way more intuitive than anything else out there.

[@SoundsAndGear]

good vid, I love live, it was the only daw I really liked coming from hardware, but I agree with djgeki it's not for everyone, it's a preference thing...and if you make music in a particular way, live is dope. I never look at the arrange view, I always work in session view, however...I'm sure people could do any and everything in it. I love that we have choices and there is something out there for everyone.

[@Fyz1kz101]

Love it,, scratchin over axelrod sounded good at start, yeeaa

[@i.AmHymn]

Agreed! Been an Abe since it dropped and hvnt turned back...never e'mn use ProTools; Sonar is the only other software I'm comfy with b/c I started with like Cakewalk 4 back in '94 or so. But Live is the champ for me...hands down! Hymn

[@AmineEdge]

ahaha i love it !! jazzy best !

[@ZZz3rDeYezZZ]

Just bought the APCkey25 for Ableton, having fun with it!

[@snook6vision]

He was ahead of the curve I saw this I believe in 2011 way before Ableton got Hot..now 2017 dam near every music production video I see... They using Ableton Live 9

[@C.Ellis_BMI]

Jazzy U R A Genius!

[@shoklix2]

The horn and the James Brown "ha!" sample is from the end of "I Feel Good (I Knew That I Would)" ... that's the source material (for those still confused) ....

[@ebanga197]

@pwkleung i know how you feel, i was mainly using Acid for a few years, but i recently bought a new Mac and after alot of research i made the switch to Ableton, 1st i started with Live Lite that came bundled with my AKAI MPK25, i liked it so much that i upgraded to Live 8 and was using that along with my MPC 2000XL, i recently upgraded again to Suite and couldn't be happier, it has a pretty high learning curve but it comes with plenty of tutorial lessons that make the transition alot smoother.

[@Musiccalculater]

i 2 was amazed when i first began with ableton ...such an amazing software,,,, whut rly makes my wheels turn is trying to imagine ableton in .....10years... O.O

[@PopcornSocial]

my thoughts exactly... the midi hybrid drum pad keyboard interface looks dope..

[@cd78]

When it fucking works that is, Jazzy Jeff.

[@JulianGrayMedia]

what do you use?

[@CranboonFresh]

beat he makes is gnarly. Tambourine kicks in and it's like UUUHHH

[@anzatzi]

great hands on demo--great jb resample

[@pistonear]

an underrated master

[@myhomeboy]

Care to explain why its better than ableton? Simply out of pure curiousity & i'd love to hear it.

[@moekavili]

Reason still is the best program that is ever built.

[@44danoc]

Man you can chop and do all that and lay it out on the NNXT and Record has the two best time stretches on earth. I can't mess with live.

[@BlacksParson]

Nuff Respect. Great vid.

[@aviee]

hey jazzy, i have a quick question, when you spin i know you use serato , but i was wondering do you use wav or mp3 files or combination of both when you spin in the club.

[@daduragbandit8023]

i like the beat he was making at the beginning and ending of this video

[@Spike7171]

Its Nas - Made U Peek

[@aceturnedjoker]

LOL, same, I ran into him at a Scion event in DC. He was at the door with a box of stuff and Jeff was behind him; they didn't let him in until he said "I'm with him" (points at Jeff)

[@1TripleV1]

The James Brown beat is awesome!!

[@maxfranklinmeans]

*"Lemme take this and pull this down, Lemme take this and pull this down"* 😂😂😂

[@Silentsister]

LOL! YA!!! Actually, he explains it pretty well if you listen intently. Audio track->Loop region->Drag to Sampler (of choice..could be your own plugin as well)-> then play! Awesome! I'm going to go try this now! (I have Champa next to my setup too! :) ) WOOT!

[@skunker505]

ableton blows my mind. one day i'll venture into it.

[@taigayamakazi3792]

Great set. I've been trying to figure out how to do an 8 bar auto-loop recording, like he in the last third of the vid. But, it still eludes me. Any help?

[@06GreenThumb]

wassup Jazzy.... Ive been working in Ableton .... making hot tracks, was wndering if you could give me some advice on getting herd.... trying to get to the next level....Appreciate the video... you a cold piece..... been beatin em up for a long time... appreciate any advice u could give me.... thanx.

[@13thDegree]

@alexmcginness I just picked up Ableton Live a few days ago. I have to say coming over from one of the simplest DAW's out there (Reason+Record) Ableton is REALLY simple. The work flow logic is the simplest i've encountered in a DAW so far. Session mode makes Live feel like ReDrum on steroids (basically 1 big step sequencer). The "Live Tutorials" that came with it do an excellent job of helping you learn the ropes.

[@dugnice]

I know this video is MAD old, but anyway, What I take issue with is that he claimed if producers knew what Live could do, it would be the top DAW available. The problem is, he didn't demo ANYTHING that Live could do that other DAWS can't. I have Live and have never really used it because the learning curve is too high 4 me. I use FL Studio because it truly is "the fastest way from your brain to your speakers."

[@chris4a970c]

I was commenting on Jeff and saw your question. I use Pro Tools, Reasons, and Melodyne, but the concept is still the same. Set your markers at 8 bars, one at the beginning of 8 bars..one at the end. On your playback Transponder you should have a loop button somewhere. In Reasons, you can choose an Instrument or import a sample and double-click it to get in editing mode. Here you use your selection tool to make adjustments. Start a new track the repeat the process. It' just setting your markers..

[@nativesun7661]

Good Info. Respect.

[@cartesiaLive]

@ceetheproducer simple way to do it: go to live device browser->midi effects. add a 'note length' plugin to the very front (left) of the chain.. in front of the whole drum rack... turn the note length up to however long your longest sample is.. it will hold every note u play for that long.

[@ne12call]

I can't beleive that I have pretty much the same setup as Jazzy jeff... I don't make beats like he does, but I have the tools. (Fantom, Drum pad, mixer, Akai Sampler) Now it comes down to how to get all of the elements together, education is the key.

[@josephsantana7700]

nice beat! Like it

[@1nnovate]

Jeff's signature scratching style - Transform every single time you scratch and get recognition because you were on fresh prince

[@vanimaladventures]

@ColoradoBansuri what version of acid pro are you currently using?

[@kb420ps]

@philiprawks He was using a Fantom X, but he was only triggering sounds in Live with it. You weren't actually hearing the Fantom's sounds.

[@lifeatlast26]

hell yeah! lovin how real this shit is... im tired of the BS in the music industry so many fools fluffin it up haha this dude is the realness

[@MTXSHO9732vV8SHO]

My old, rackmount sampler doesn't store samples to the floppy any more. I'm going to fix it, one day. Back at the ranch though, I researched the AKAI MPD24 for a long time and I knew that it would be a good MIDI Controller. It came with Ableton and I installed it on my laptop before putting it in my studio to control my Presonus Firestudio Project. Basically, if you're trying to do Hip Hop, the AKAI MPD 24 or 26 is probably all you ever need to get tracks off.

[@HustlerPUA]

Makes me feel like I'm on the right track

[@NocturnosRockShow]

Holly sh* this guy really knows what he is doing, holly sh*