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

[@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]

[@BarrieVee]

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.

[@tehedx]

Pretty cool chord! But yes, it seems that quite some bit is likely to be born out of errors and randomness.

[@laundrychuteninja143]

This is probably one of the best intros to Ableton I’ve seen. You explain exactly what is needed and don’t go too deep. Perfect for getting started. Ableton is so daunting to a new user.

[@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!

[@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

[@rhomboidman]

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

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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!

[@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?

[@big-smoke-rc]

@@myreviewdotcomthat's not what they said

[@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.

[@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.

[@Guatemango]

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

[@52goldtop]

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

[@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!

[@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

[@vveerrgg416]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@BlazertronGames]

Lots of great tips! I've known the basics of ableton for years, but watching beginner videos once in a while is very helpful, because you often catch little tips you didn't know, or forgot about.

[@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.

[@alperdurmus5234]

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

[@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.

[@GIFrank]

One of the best video’s for starting with Ableton! I watched many tutorials, but somehow didn’t get the hang of the best workflow and coherence within Ableton. This video cleared it all up for me. Thank you so much ! :-)

[@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!

[@jazchan]

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

[@apathetichand]

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

[@GreenHoleSun]

masterclass

[@Burnout_AU]

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.

[@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!

[@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!

[@JessOrestano]

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

[@_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!

[@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!

[@JoeCarterDesigns]

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

[@buxycat]

This guide is blowing my mind. Had to pause 10 minutes in because I have already learnt so much more than watching hours worth of other guides. No one else I've seen has shown me the true power of Ableton: how the session view and arrangement views can/ should be used. I am so profoundly grateful to people like yourself who have helped me go from not having a clue about anything, to feeling like it's all beginning to come together for me.

[@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.

[@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.

[@Blazequine]

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

[@jacksrensen374]

same xD

[@BarrieVee]

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!

[@BarrieVee]

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?

[@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!

[@JackstandJohnny]

Dude, if I ever meet you in person I am going to give you a big hug and buy you a beer. Anytime I am learning about new hardware of software and I see that you've made a video about it, my eyes light up and I say "YES!" out loud. You're awesome.

[@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.

[@skinnykarlos710]

I cannot believe what I am seeing. After months and months of trying to find a "Total Newbie" explanation of how to work a DAW "ANY" DAW I finally found you. Praise be to all the gods in wherever they are for your time, patience and pertinent explanation of how to "Just get started" in recording a track and getting it to play back. Thank you so much, from DownUnder in the Antipodes. Mark :)

[@loopop]

Thanks - my pleasure! By the way, I had to google Antipodes - wow! That really is down under

[@skinnykarlos710]

@@loopop Yep, This is God's country down here in Australia, though, I guess I'm biased and wherever one is, is God's country. Thanks again.

[@fmartin09]

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

[@andibenson6834]

Far Out ! Twelve tutorials and a lot of time messing around with my Launchkey just trying to find out 'Where did the sound go ?' I stumbled across your tutorial and question answered ! Brilliant ! Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you !

[@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!

[@CaptainHorseKnuckle]

I have been digging around for a quick tutorial to just get me transitioned from the linear DAW environment that I am used to and up and running quickly with Ableton so I can get started on a project that is way behind schedule. You answered every question that I have been looking for answers to in one concise video without dwelling too long on any particular point. I also like how you saved the settings for last and just got right into the meat of it. This definitely helped to ease the learning curve. It’s almost as if you have gone through these same pain points yourself and actually took note of it knowing you would be making this video one day. 😉 I have bookmarked this and am looking forward to watching your other videos once I get this project off my plate. Thank you so much!

[@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!

[@littlegreendots]

Great! I am an music teacher in the analog realm for MANY years and have not ventured into anything electronic other than a guitar and recently took an interest in working with a DAW and creating music. I've spent hours pouring over videos of Ableton (Live-Lite came with my midi keyboard) and while I picked up the basics on how to record and move around a bit in the program, I didn't connect the two different functions of clips and composition. Your video really is the missing piece. I teach and I think differently than someone working on their own since my function is not only to do it but also how to explain to someone else the process and to dissect it in steps so it makes sense. Most of the videos I've watched lack that - the holistic process. You have not. Thanks for a great introduction to this process for someone who doesn't have friends already doing it!

[@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! 😂

[@bentropy]

"Jazz!" you slay me. Dr. Loopop, if it be your will, I'd love it if you developed more of this useful tips/tricks/workflow material for Ableton. Thanks, great as always.

[@lktlkt]

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

[@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

[@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!

[@nagarajusanga2738]

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

[@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 !

[@PachollFruit]

I've viewed countless tutorials on navigating complex processes, be it DAWs or Marketing platforms or DIY Home improvement. I cannot express enough just how much more information I got from this video than the hundreds (thousands?) of tutorials I've seen; it's head and shoulders. Liked, Subbed, Notification bell-ed, Commented (rare for me), and if KZbin added a Paper Bag icon for people who hyperventilate from gasping too much while watching a video, I would have Paper-Bagged, too.

[@mastmusician]

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.

[@joncmusic4]

I wish there was a SUPER like button for this video. I’ve been working in ableton for years and I still discovered so many useful things with this video. Your videos are fantastic! Keep it up!

[@LongEarthTradingCompany]

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

[@AndrewSmith-wh3lo]

Excellent video. It's not the first video to watch if you've just started with DAWs. Watch it after you've watched a few quick start drum pattern videos and tried to write a couple of songs yourself. Then you will see the magic of this. When I started using Ableton I kept getting lost and didn't know how to get back to a previous window, scene or effect. This chap knows that Ableton is powerful but often far from intuitive. It is a reference work which I will keep coming back to. It is full of tips to make life easier and help you work faster. I immediately bookmarked, liked and subscribed after watching it.

[@callum6224]

Pop

[@Yukiron]

The perfect Ableton tutorial doesn't exis-

[@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.

[@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 🙏

[@timvommeer9660]

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

[@francoisdelorme2127]

This tutorial is just cleverly brilliant. The fact that you start on a clean slate several times makes it super easy to follow. I would just pay attention to the speed you sometimes move your mouse, as it could be difficult for us to follow where you are a a very precise moment. Congrats for the exceptional content and the supremely pedagogical way of presenting it.

[@lordlatch]

This video- I'm getting the emotions!

[@leandromiquet4820]

Still on of the guys with the highest teaching skills on youtube.

[@Actuallylucian]

16:30 “JAZZ”. I can’t breathe

[@micahringlein]

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

[@gregmaland5318]

I don't this guy misspoke even once during this entire video, or he edited them out perfectly. But, I found this extremely helpful, and will watch it again.

[@K3zz21]

Can we just all appreciate the timestamps

[@apeksh3063]

This one video made the impact and gave the inspiration I wanted when people were screaming that my choice of going with Ableton Live is very dumb! Thank You 💖 so much!!!

[@HoundTakeshi]

16:31 "Jazz" lol

[@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.

[@raindrozest9558]

16:56 woooooooow

[@QrchackOfficial]

holy bananas, this is great

[@MrMitzu1]

Meaning Ableton, not this miracle feature!

[@localtechnique]

That opening bit is exactly how I used to feel when I tried Live Lite years ago. None of it made any sense to me but I got to grips with it eventually and it's been my main DAW for the last few years. Realising that I could trigger clips in sequence to build up the basics of a track in realtime and have all that recorded into the arrangement view blew my mind. One tip you might already know is that you can override the Arm Exclusive preference by holding down cmd (alt on Windows?) and clicking any additional channels you want to arm.

[@GarfRichards]

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

[@HerbertLudwig320]

I am an avid Ableton user / producer and watched many ableton tutial videos. Your Video is by far the best simplest explained one I ever seen and Ive even learned a few new tricks from you that I wasn't aware off. Thank you

[@TheOriginalAduss]

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

[@justin_704]

give this man a medal. finally the best beginner breakdown of ableton

[@MidLifeRevolutionary]

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.

[@discomonarch5744]

Came to your channel for the launchpad x and mini comparison. Found this guide and have to credit you for your awesome content again. You are saving me and many others so much time, creating a really understandable Abelton Live guide for free. You make the complexity seem simple. Thank you so much for this incredible video!

[@ansgargorgor4103]

Experienced exactly the same ... for self-learning purpose I worked a couple of hours, days, weeks on my first project and must say.... with DJ background the learning curve is quite low until you really get the difference between session and arrangement view

[@nathanielvice2836]

Wow. That chord playing technique @ 16:50 just changed my life. Well done!

[@chrisricetopher21]

10 minutes in and I’ve learned how to navigate at least 5 things that have gotten on my nerves in this blasted program. Thanks for making this video. You’re hitting on stuff that other creators assume is straight forward when it really isn’t lol Keep up the good work!

[@karensargsyan81]

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

[@Stadsjaap]

I hope this vid is the kick in the ass I needed to awaken from my DAWless slumber... Thanks mate, it's brilliant and clear as usual.

[@johnwright5126]

OMG! Thank you!!! This needs to be handed out with every copy of Live Lite.

[@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 :)

[@laum.539]

I'm just gonna say 2 things... 1. This is like GREAT! 2. Thank you so much for taking the time to share this knowledge with the world.

[@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.

[@natskis]

This is easily the best video on ableton on the internet. Better than Ableton's videos as well. So many small things that were bugging me were sorted out by this. I'd highly recommend using ko-fi or something so we can buy you a ko-fi as well for this :)

[@loopop]

Thanks very much! Just Patreon for now - you get a book and can come and go as you please ;)

[@Antonio_Ortiz]

You earned a sub for making the Session view less confusing. 👏🏾

[@KnoxvilleMX]

Thanks a lot for this. As a producer coming from a 10+ years experience on FL Studio, it's kinda hard to get into a different software. It was kinda lazy just to think of watching a 37 mins video but it was totally worth.

[@Semomat]

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

[@jb-hf5ne]

Thsnk you so much for the metronome volume setting. My ears and recordings shall be eternally grateful. 👐