Don't Panic! Ableton Live Explained in 37 minutes or less // Tutorial

For the past two years, every time I discovered something non-obvious about Ableton Live I jotted it down, and the result is this clip and the accompanying tips to be added in the November edition of my book - available on Patreon:
► Patreon: / loopop
Check Ableton Live prices here (affiliate links help the channel):
► Ableton Live on Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/PLX5N
► Push 2 on Thomann: www.thomann.de/gb/ableton_pus...
► Push 2 on Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/jEkLM
► Ableton Live 10 on Amazon: amzn.to/2JzPgpq
Novation SL MK3:
► On Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/aJqEo
Ableton Live is an extremely powerful DAW and electronic music performance platform, but there are a few aspects of it that are far from intuitive. Hopefully this clip will help you make more of it!
Other places I hang out:
► Web: loopopmusic.com
► Facebook: / loopopmusic
► Instagram: / loopopmusic
► Twitter: / loopopmusic
My music:
► Bandcamp: loopop.bandcamp.com
► Spotify: bit.ly/LoopopOnSpotify
► Apple Music:bit.ly/LoopopOnAppleMusic
Here's a timeline:
0:00 Don’t panic!
0:55 Use two windows
2:20 Overview
5:00 Recording
7:50 From session to arrangment
10:20 Overdubbing
11:45 Clips & devices
13:10 Editing clips
13:40 Loop controls
15:25 Clip boxes
16:00 Clip tips
18:10 Warp explained
19:05 Follow actions
20:15 Automation
21:15 Draw envelopes
23:35 Record motion
24:40 Unlinking mods
25:15 VST automation
26:25 MIDI mapping
26:55 Important preferences
27:30 Audio configs
28:15 MIDI configs
29:55 Default set
31:00 Other settings
31:35 Capture
32:30 Misc features
35:20 Want more?
Want to email me personally?
► Ziv (at) loopopmusic.com
NOTE: Occasionally I’ll try out affiliate marketing and include affiliate links. This means that I may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links. The content of this clip is entirely my opinion, and was not paid for or dictated in any way by the company creating the gear. Without addressing the particulars of products shown here as they might be under NDA, gear shown on this channel may be either sent by the manufacturer, on loan for review or bought at a discount.

[@dylanelliot1522]

Does anyone else find they have to motivate themselves to watch videos like these, but you’re really glad you did once you’ve watched it because of how informative they are?

[@MP_Soundbox]

No Dylan, you are alone.

[@myreviewdotcom]

@@MP_Soundbox

[@myreviewdotcom]

[@BestChinaInfo]

Yep!

[@Zaphodox]

Yeah, it’s not that they are boring bit you have to *really really focus*

[@paulj9821]

Loopop I just wanted to express how much many of us value you as a reviewer and teacher/mentor. The amount of information I have learned from you in the past 6 months at times blows me away. This tutorial on Ableton has been far more beneficial to me than many of the other videos out there. You have a gift for conveying obscure and technical info that many others struggle to articulate in their teachings. More important you are a disciplined man. You actually read through the manual in order to help us strangers out. I just want you to know that all the hard work you put into these videos has significantly benefited many people, prob more than you realise. Almost every Bedroom producer has seen your videos and benefited from then. You are a treasure to this community.

[@loopop]

Thanks very much for taking the time to write this comment - my pleasure!

[@loganlawlor3786]

Treasure is an understatement!

[@ResurrectingJiriki]

As I just watched only this video, after I was shown some tips to master my MPC tracks in Ableton and bumped into this one, after which I already can wholeheartedly agree on both these comments!

[@natbvm1880]

I’ve bought several synths and drum machines that he’s showcased, and I utilize the videos constantly while learning them.

[@Tuesdaydubz]

Facts bro

[@GoodCatYouTube]

I am from Russia and English is not my main language. But it was the most understandable Ableton lesson for me that I saw.

[@hoagy_ytfc]

English _is_ my first language, but I still really appreciate the clarity of voice, language and content in Loopop's videos. Def my first go-to channel for this sort of stuff.

[@gravypatron]

I think your English is good.👍

[@krutoyinfo]

Хорошо что индусы не прорвались в музыкальный сегмент😆

[@lov3r143]

+++++ жиза

[@igorpavloff]

agree, understandable because he has order in his head, not like 90% musician artists)

[@redboycaptures]

This should be the first video to show up on youtube's algos if you search for "learn ableton" or "ableton beginner". There is literally no better video out there

[@simonford4760]

At 16:30 “Jazz” I had to laugh. This is a great introduction into Ableton Live. The timeline down the side is great for coming back to revisit sections. Many thanks Loopop.

[@MariaJose-24]

Timeline 0:00 Don't panic! 0:55 Use two windows 2:20 Overview 5:00 Recording 7:50 From session to arrangement 10:20 Overdubbing 11:45 Clips & devices 13:10 Editing clips 13:40 Loop controls 15:25 Clip boxes 16:00 Clip tips 18:10 Warp explained 19:05 Follow actions 20:15 Automation 21:15 Draw envelopes 23:35 Record motion 24:40 Unlinking mods 25:15 VST automation 26:25 MIDI mapping 26:55 Important preferences 27:30 Audio configs 28:15 MIDI configs 29:55 Default set 31:00 Other settings 31:35 Capture 32:30 Misc features 35:20 Want more?

[@Illmulla]

you rock!!

[@lols5299]

in description

[@monstera677]

The best!

[@ronnywaynebeats4124]

Danny Instead of having to scroll through the video to find it you can click on the portion you want to watch here

[@martingaens2073]

@@Fonkemman thanks for clearing this up!

[@AVCOME]

As an old teacher told me once. There is no bad student, there is bad teacher. You are a very good teacher, anything is simple with you

[@brianwheeler7115]

Seriously one of the best Ableton tutorials out there that covers a lot of the manual in a fast and easy method to absorb. Well done!

[@rhomboidman]

It’s so unreal how well informed and pleasant this guy is

[@JeromeJaglale]

So much value in this video. I watched two paid Ableton courses which missed crucial things you pointed out, like how the switch back and forth between arrangement and session view works. And I had always been frustrated because of the necessity to duplicate clips for new scenes.. Thank you so much for sharing the result of your solid experience with Ableton in such a clear and efficient way. Decided to subscribe to your Patreon as a token of my appreciation.

[@loopop]

Thanks for your comment and joining Patreon - I really appreciate it!

[@dorntaft9875]

When I get some cash, I'll do the same. Thank you

[@jazchan]

I can't believe literally no one is talking about how satisfying Nice tutorials voice softs.

[@geohashi]

Dang, this video is 4 years old and is still amazing. I just got Ableton today and feel like I can make music already. You're the best.

[@MrMG43]

I've been using Ableton (rather, trying to use Ableton) for the better part of half a decade, and I learned more in this tutorial than the countless others I've watched or even all the time I've spent trying to figure out how to do stuff. I can't think of a single other tutorial video that made me want to leave a comment like this, Ableton tutorial or otherwise. Thank you!

[@JoeCarterDesigns]

This is SOOOooOOoooOOoo helpful. And your description of initial interactions with Ableton was spot on!

[@tomelwich49]

The BEST live class I've seen yet! Spectacular work loopop!

[@adpt_music]

i can't begin to describe how helpful this tutorial is. going to be revisiting this one a few times for sure. 10/10 loopop

[@vveerrgg416]

thank you for this... still super relevant even 2 years later.

[@mitzimusica]

This is the best tutorial I've found, and I've been searching on youtube for weeks. It's super clear, there are a lot of useful tips and a lot of information other tutorials miss and it's really important. Thank you so much for making this.

[@alperdurmus5234]

Only 6 or 7 minutes into the video. This is absolutely first class. Many Thanks.

[@brianclinton5720]

You are a lifesaver! So many tutorial videos from people that don’t understand the underlying logic of how these things work, and you are knowledgeable with understanding, succinct, clear, organized, and easy to watch and listen to. Thanks for hugely important education!

[@_noahrh]

I have been using Ableton for just a couple weeks and have found several things where I think to myself I KNOW there must be a more efficient way to do this. You've shown me so many awesome useful tips, thanks a TON!

[@sdrozo]

"jazz!" 😂

[@DavidHaymond]

I paused the video at that point and scrolled down specifically to see if someone had made this comment. :D

[@formerself4372]

@@DavidHaymond same

[@111AKB111]

@@DavidHaymond I DID THE SAME THING 😭

[@MrEBrs]

@@DavidHaymond I did exactly the same!

[@sanoopluis5532]

Same here as well! 😂

[@velazquez1712]

This is a must-watch for anyone starting to use Ableton live.

[@nlamste3]

We want more! We want more! Seriously a really great overview with lots of hands on tips and tricks! Thanks 🙏🏼

[@digitalsketchguy]

The best Ableton Live intro tutorial i've seen so far. I couldn't make head or tail of my FREE lite version. I can now see how the Ableton workflow makes sense for anyone wanting a DAW that works like a sonic sketchpad while having the linear timeline available too.

[@apathetichand]

Thank you! This is THE premiere quick and dirty Ableton tutroial on YT. All of your insight is immensely appreciated.

[@xLarryJGx]

The video tutorial every user needed in place of the manual, ty so much. I've already rewatched over and over to burn into my memory.

[@ehuckleberry]

Hey just stumbled onto this channel today but I learned more in 37 minutes than I have in the last 4 months trying to figure this stuff out. You have gained a subscriber and I really appreciate you taking the time to put this video together. I will be checking out many more. Thank you.

[@Jesse_Kitty]

Amazing breakdown, stress levels decreasing, ahhh relief. I was able to see what I knew from other DAWS. Love love how you deconstructed the views for comprehension. You are a master teacher loopop!

[@MrIATaylor]

I'm 6 years into Ableton and your video still taught me lots. That hide the stop button was a gem. So was delink automation from clip. I don't think you'd make much money from doing this great job and that's probably why they are select and few and far between. Still worth the wait.

[@itsnotch64]

You are a complete GEM for the youtube community and it's people like YOU that keep this platform afloat. You got yet another subscriber man. Please don't stop anytime soon lol.

[@magnustorque5528]

Hands down the very best tutorial I have ever watched (on anything). Your lucid and highly organized delivery packed so much useful information into that 37 minutes. This has saved me so much time.Thanks you!!!!

[@ArtificialJetleg]

Best! You sound like someone who can hold an audience alive in a video that shows how to record a track from scratch until it's master. You have a gift man! You don't let people fall asleep or move to another video!

[@dillipphunbar7924]

Very useful/helpful. I feel lost everytime I load Ableton. The dual window is a gr8 help. I tried reading the online manual and fell asleep around page 20 so thank you loopop .

[@Frank1979Zappa]

Me too..... 😴

[@ArtificialJetleg]

Me too!

[@Max-ys1dw]

Trying to use Ableton (or any modern, high performance software for that matter) makes me feel like I'm 12 years old again, playing Simon.

[@damelos4039]

Incredible. I've see many tuts but none like this. Creative and different...and highly informative. Thank you.

[@Mibbzz]

Such a perfect video for someone coming from another DAW. Every other tutorial I've watched just goes over all the obvious stuff. This video is so well laid out and covers all the details that I wouldn't have picked up on my own. The two window recommendation is something I'm absolutely going to use. Thanks a lot!

[@pbrimages4802]

This video has what all the other intro vids are missing. "Ok, now that I'm actually trying to write music, how the HECK do I do This?? (or That, or The Other Thing...). This will help anyone save hours, if not days, of digging through manuals and trial & error. Brilliantly done.

[@PaperClipFlip]

Hands-down one of the best videos, if not THE best video on Ableton I found for a beginner like myself. Demystified a lot of doubts I've been having. THANK YOU!

[@sessahmaru]

so glad to have found you......many blessings. Do make more, in particular, the loop stuff u were speaking of.

[@captainspongeboy]

This is amazing! Thank you so much. I can't believe I learnt so much in such a short time. Now, to practice!

[@DaBeatsFreak]

Awesome. I was drawn like a magnet to this tutorial. I thought I knew everything of Live 10 already. Some very good tips in here. Like how to avoid the annoying simultaneous playing in both session and arrangementview and also mapping of 3rd party plugins.

[@cmclight]

Excellent - good tips - some of them even new for people having some experience with Live. For me it was very helpful when coming back to Live after a long break - thx a lot!

[@kory443]

you"re a great instructor. this video is so valuable. I've been using Ableton for a while but never properly "learned" it. this filled in a lot of things I missed. Thanks!

[@moocowtv]

Hands down THEEE best tutorial for Ableton Live..I've been searching low and high for you !!

[@Guatemango]

wow, the best Ableton video I've seen, "jazz" was also great

[@Karson....]

this was a great video! just wanted to refresh my mind and this was a great video to do so! Very quick to the point and covers all of the important stuff. Doesnt carry on on unimportant stuff. Just covers it fast and easily and moves on without wasting your time! Great video and very well explained and done!

[@JessOrestano]

This is possibly one of the best tutorials I have ever seen. Thank you!

[@Semomat]

Easily the best Ableton Live intro video I have seen so far. Really helped a lot, thanks loopop!

[@joeldeutscher7077]

As someone coming to Ableton for the first time after years with Cakewalk and FL Studio, this video was an absolute lifesaver. You managed to take one of the least-intuitive pieces of software I've ever seen and make it easily understandable. Thank you so much for putting this together!

[@myreviewdotcom]

Why did you came from Cakewalk and FL Studio as they are so intuitive?

[@bigsmokerc]

@@myreviewdotcomthat's not what they said

[@lukab96]

You should have some sculpture risen for you in your town, something like that. Thank you very much, this was outstandingly well explained, useful and funny. A million thanks!

[@52goldtop]

Best 36 minutes spent on any KZbin video, thank you for taking the time to do this for the rest of us.

[@stevied3551]

Powerful, pleasant and helpful insight to "efficient" workflow .. Thank you for making my Ableton sessions simpler!

[@23Gears]

Genius! This solved a whole bunxh of questions for me that I haven't found in other Ableton tutorials. This should come.packaged with the software!

[@Frank1979Zappa]

True. Very, very helpful. You are wonderful.

[@JustBuds420]

Omg dude. I've used plenty of video editing software but Ableton totally scared the shit out of me! This video is invaluable! So much info, such a helpful video! Thanks mate! Take my sub!

[@pedromarquez2324]

You have one of the best synth - electronic hardware (and now software!) channels out there! Keep up the good work and big thanks!

[@runnerup15]

This is perhaps the single most useful video I've ever seen on any software ever. I cannot believe how much I didn't know about live before this. I mean to be fair I had barely used it other than making little loops but still. This was something wonderful

[@lktlkt]

That was the best video i've seen all year. Thanks so much!! Also "Jazz" made me lol

[@cemegonuts]

I love your lightning learning approach. I admit, you go fast, but because of your indexed timeline on the left, I find myself coming back to your videos like a reference book. These videos are better than most paid online courses. Keep up the good work. You are inspirational and drive creativity of many people. Thank you.

[@ConArroz9]

I'm only 8 minutes in and I already feel like i have a better grasp on how to actually make music in ableton. I've been watching and reading tutorials for weeks. You absolute G

[@rossdenham4257]

I love how your hands are full on showing me what your explaining in the shot. awesome review im contemplating moving from pro tools so i can use the roli seaboard a lot easier

[@GreenHoleSun]

masterclass

[@edwardnygma.]

16:29 why did him just saying "jazz" make me laugh

[@jacksrensen374]

same xD

[@michaelmcdonald3427]

Never before have I seen how powerful Ableton Live can really be as a beginner. What a phenomenal, well put, and to-the-point tutorial!

[@AlanLambertInteractive]

What a truly fantastic tutorial. It has saved me hours of trawling through Lynda or Groove 3 videos which gets really tedious. Easy to follow and incredibly useful. Thanks again.

[@paulaudialterampartem6906]

The Psyco music at the beginning really made me laugh :) A first for me watching a tutorial lol. Brilliant all the way . An excellent teacher, quite reassuring and managing to nip in the bud those psycho moments !

[@Bluums]

I knew all of this, except that... Shift+Space starts playing from the same place as where I stopped :D not sure how I lived without that for so long!

[@karensargsyan81]

Thank you for doing hard work of putting all this togother and sharing with us. One of best Live reviews.

[@justine6213]

This is the best ableton tips and tricks ive seen so far. Really great job and thank you for taking the time to do so. Im still very confused about navigating around ableton but not as much as i was prior to seeing this. Good stuff.

[@lordlatch]

This video- I'm getting the emotions!

[@ableton_live_well]

Really really good tutorial. I’ve learnt stuff today and I’ve used live regularly for a couple of years now. You don’t know, what you don’t know! With a software that has soo much potential, it’s easy just to go through stuff you think you need or find relevant and then miss bits. Kudos for doing this.

[@BestChinaInfo]

Superb video tutorial ~ Appreciated! As an 'old school' songwriter / muso I always worked with a straight acoustic guitar, Yamaha SY85 and CoolEdit ~ which I always found to be a most intuitive interface, ~ practically an instrument in itself, not to mention a great 'DAW engine'.. On commencing another journey now with Ableton and a Novation LaunchKey 49, I've been mostly baffled by the 'non-intuitive-ness' of the interfaces.. As you point out ~ you're explaining the 'non-intuitive' facets ~ Very helpful ~ Thanks!

[@BestChinaInfo]

I have a query: Is it possible / how could I / get Ableton Live 11 Lite and the Novation Launchkey 49 to recognise and interact with an old Yamaha QY100 I just acquired?

[@MoodOfMidas]

i use live since 4-5 years almost on a daily basis, and even i learnd some small things from this video, for example the unlinked automations! Great job loopop, you really have a talent to explain things.

[@LongEarthTradingCompany]

Perfect walkthrough. Made me decide to stick with Logic for now though :)

[@fmartin09]

What I don't really understand is why don't you have over 1 million subscribers.

[@matthewchute5514]

Incredibly helpful! You drastically reduced the learning curve for such an intimidating program! Thank you so much!!

[@avetisk]

After trying to make something, like literally something on Ableton and failing every time, I was finally able to to do something! And I think now that it will become my favorite DAW (and actually I think I understand now why so many people like it more than FL or Logic). Thank you Ziv 🙏

[@Mabsol]

The perfect Ableton tutorial doesn't exis-

[@naturligfunktion4232]

I really like your videos mate. They have a perfect balance of informative and playful

[@theoversouls]

Excellent video! So much good info I'm watching in pieces to absorb it all. Thanks very much for posting. I enjoy your comprehensive synth videos as well.

[@HoundTakeshi]

16:31 "Jazz" lol

[@timvommeer9660]

You can leave "Arm exclusive" on and just hold CMD to arm more the one clip. Same for solo. Very useful ;)

[@TheOne-zm5lv]

One of the best tutorials I've been watching on YT. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@Johnsons-marketingUk]

Super helpful! Iv just come from playing in a basic band on basic keyboard to recording live acoustic sessions so this type of tutorial is perfect! Thank you so much for time and effort put into this video!

[@raindrozest9558]

16:56 woooooooow

[@QrchackOfficial]

holy bananas, this is great

[@MrMitzu1]

Meaning Ableton, not this miracle feature!

[@Actuallylucian]

16:30 “JAZZ”. I can’t breathe

[@micahringlein]

If you weren't paying close attention, you'd have missed it. I loved it.

[@blythebea808]

Best video to watch when you've already absorbed the main gist and overview of Ableton Live and you are bedeviled by the details! So helpful!

[@antonstek8649]

thank you so much for this video, that's only the second ableton tutorial videos i've seen but i already feel it's gonna be one of the most helpful ones!

[@K3zz21]

Can we just all appreciate the timestamps

[@GarfRichards]

Who’s here after getting the 3 month free trial because the recent/current global pandemic? ...me!!!! 👋🏾

[@Sean-fh6mn]

I've watched quite a few Ableton tutorials but yours is by far the best! I'm only 18min in but I've learned a great deal from you already, you do a great job explaining the material. Thanks man!

[@jossua7524]

This is GOLD! Thank you for that. You're by far the best Ableton's teacher here

[@TheOriginalAduss]

The best "overview" video on Abelton. All relevant information included! Many thanks

[@coreycolwell7786]

Honestly the best tutorial I have ever seen for Free. You rock dude.

[@ChArham-bs1ne]

In my opinion, this is the best tutorial for Ableton Live. Not even their own courses explain things this better. I could never understand the difference between Arrangement and session view prior to this. Thanks a lot.

[@nagarajusanga2738]

Iam from India..I have watched so many Tutorials about Ableton ..but this is the best Video Tutorial Thank you sir.....

[@SaifSameer]

Although I'm using Live suite for about 5 years, but as a second DAW, I still find such tutorials quite useful as they cover the very basics which aren't being covered by many tutors. Thanks @loopop :)

[@duyenho4038]

This is my new Go-To guide for getting around Abelton. It's really comprehensive. Thank you so much! :D

[@Amber_Man]

GENIUS! Thanks again Loopop!

[@pr1mu]

I've been struggling understanding Live for YEARS. You clearly described some details I knew but forgot, I wasn't 100% clear on, or in some cases had totally wrong assumptions about. THANK YOU.

[@ClaudioCastelletti]

It's absolutely the best Tutorial out there, definitely my go to ! Keep up your amazing videos !