My Top 10 Tips After 10 Years In Ableton (these changed everything for me)

I have a paid course for those of you who want to take this whole "making music" thing to the next level. Here's a free sample of the course if you're interested: www.completeproducerpro.com/r...
I've spent the last decade using Ableton to make all of my music, and all of the music for my clients. It's the most user friendly DAW in my opinion and I couldn't recommend it more.
I hope you're able to learn something from the last 10 years of my experience in this program that you can apply to your own workflow.
My hope is that these tips will save you years of learning time because I know if I had this video 10 years ago it would have changed my life.
Try Ableton: www.ableton.com/
Thanks so much for watching and remember to comment any questions as I read all the comments!
0:00 Ableton is life changing
0:43 1.Staying organized
2:26 2. Mixing over mastering
3:17 3. Use delay to widen sounds
4:41 4. Sends and returns
7:33 5. Utilize EQ on effects
8:30 6. Mix as you go
10:42 7. Utilize "audio effects" and "instrument racks"
13:12 8. Use sidechaining
15:36 9. Use OTT
17:36 10. Use Ableton's warp features.

[@CompleteProducer]

I made a part 2!!! Watch it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKW1YqWln96IpJo

[@nicolasnicolas3889]

I'm a newbie, I was using Reaper as it's brilliant but so many of the tutorials in certain genres were done in Ableton and so I downloaded the trial version last week and wow, it's so cool how it works, the way you can put patterns together and see the song and arrange it like Lego music, I hope that it changes my life in a similar way, I would like just to get one tune on a playlist, anything after that is just a bonus, thanks for you video I'll check out some more and have a great day! ;D

[@CompleteProducer]

@@nicolasnicolas3889 I think that’s a great goal to have Nicolas. I hope you stick with it and you’re able to make music that you’re proud of and that you look forward to showing other people!

[@Job311_]

Hello is it possible to get the audio from a original xbox to come thur this Ableton Live program so I could record the sound from the xbox

[@thelibrary4493]

Can artist contact you for mix and mastering?

[@CompleteProducer]

I'm not really doing that work anymore, so I can focus more on videos!@@thelibrary4493

[@88keysLA]

Usually when people post things about “life changing” anything, it’s usually just helpful. This is actually life changing

[@CompleteProducer]

Wow I'm so happy to hear that! Thankk you

[@gbtennant]

This endorsement compelled a complete listen … starting now

[@gbtennant]

Tip 2!! (How does anyone finish this in one sitting … limit the master and master the mix (summation not a direct quote ) thanks)

[@CompleteProducer]

@@gbtennant that’s a great way to summarize it!

[@ScarrCrow]

These are probaply the best tips and tricks out there for people who are working professional or want to. Thank you Subbed

[@DippsBhamrah]

Your intro is exactly my life and career. Ableton Live made me so confident that I can be a full time musician and media entity that I quit my full time job 12 year ago. It not an overstatement to say that downloading and realising how I can/could/would use the program made me into the artist I never thought I’d be. Just wanted to share as your intro hit me in the feels 👍🏽

[@CompleteProducer]

wow that's incredible!

[@FatBloonskis]

Damn, this just inspired me

[@MarkBarlow]

Sometimes when meeting your heroes you walk away disappointed by their character, but this dude has been a hero to me and consistently astounds me by his character. Ethan produced my first record, "Soul Hymns" and he's an absolute wizard & so genuinely kind. I hope all y'all take his course, there's soooo much gold in it that'll improve your creative process forever. ILY ETHAN

[@CompleteProducer]

awe Mark i LOVE U TOOO!@!!!

[@bears1804]

YO, MARK! Huge fan here!!! You’ve deeply inspired me to begin producing the music (for Jesus OFC!) I’ve been singing in my head for years! How DOPE to come across the guy that produced music for you!

[@chandlergunn1465]

Awesome refresher on some things I forgot over the years. Love watching videos like these to pull me out of some writers block. Thanks for the tips!

[@CompleteProducer]

Woo! I love to hear that

[@zenguy7711]

I'm just coming up to speed in Ableton (@76 years old), this is by far and away the best instructive video I've seen, every tip is useful for me! Now I'm off to begin sidechaining my hardware synths that are layered with audio clips. Thank you!

[@SefaDrums]

Thank you for all of these amazing tips! This is the video everyone needs when getting started with Ableton 🙌🏼❤️

[@CompleteProducer]

Thanks so much !

[@freddirkse]

Awesome tips Ethan, thank you! I'm glad I'm not the only one that finds mixing while you're producing intuitive. Half the fun is making the mix sound good as you go.

[@brettinabox5607]

I watched this and the intro to Ableton video. You are such a good teacher to explain what and why on everything. So nice when we understand more to customize going in.

[@meilstone]

Great tips, two more important topics to add: 1. Do proper gain staging at the beginning and when adding new audio tracks/clips 2. Save clips (.alc file) from session view (similar to saving fx chains), this saves all the clip settings and effects as well as the midi information

[@CompleteProducer]

Oh nice I didn't know about that second one. I also STILL don't know what gain staging is LOL but I'll have to do some research. I'm over here getting schooled.

[@meilstone]

@@CompleteProducer Gain staging just means adjusting the input levels on each track to be the same value (e.g. -12 or -6 dB peak) so you establish a common ground before touching the faders. In Ableton, you can use the stock utility plugin for that or you can adjust the gain of audio clips. If you play live synths, you can adjust the synth's volume knob as well. Just make sure all peaks are about the same value. Once all that is done, you start balancing track volumes using the faders. That way, each track has some headroom and fader adjustments become more predictable as their positions actually represent the mix. Ideally, you can then add effects that add gain (e.g. distortion plugins) and create buses, etc. without having to worry about clipping at any stage. All in all, it makes your mix sound as clean (i.e. transparent) as it can be.

[@Superanima7]

Sample offset in the envelope/ automation layer in the clip view. It is badass with beat warp you can literally manipulate the wave in time. Change an audio file like it’s MIDI, also if you name a section a tempo name followed by BPM it will change to that bpm automatically. I dig the video! Been using live since 4

[@Nedjmeddine16]

By far one of the best Ableton Tutorials, really you have given me so much knowledge, ready to start applying all this tomorrow ! Thanks again

[@CompleteProducer]

way to go Dean, application is a must!

[@mateszabo3988]

I appreciate these videos so much. Thank you for putting in the effort to help new producers to grow, amazing content

[@nikpap2907]

Can't explain how useful this video was!! Everything is beautifully combined, explained and presented. Thank you millions man 🙌🙌🙌

[@its_zaheer7244]

Been mixing a particular song for the past month or so and I could never get it quite right! This video just allowed me to finally get past the production block I've been having. Thank you endlessly. I believe this is the best music production video I have ever found. SO MANY JEMS!

[@CompleteProducer]

wow thank you so much! and congrats!

[@deansykes2647]

That "Select All and Save" tip was amazing!!!

[@CompleteProducer]

Happy to hear that (:

[@rcarter236]

One of the best overall tutorials I’ve ever watched! Thank you for sharing! I’m new to ableton so thank you for the tips!

[@lorenzomicheletto4088]

OTT omg!!! it just made my piano or other front sounds of my songs sound so clear!!! Excellent video, you have a very good way of spreading the message with good examples! Many thanks Ethan!

[@thesni100]

I don't usually comment but this has SO much value. Thanks man!

[@ambastious]

Instead of using delay and dialing everything in, you can also use abletons new "align delay", which is purposely made for this effect and save some clicks :)

[@LifeGQ]

You're awesome! I'm happy I ran into your channel. Thank you for the quality content. Keep going!

[@CompleteProducer]

Thank you for that. I’ll do my best!

[@allenleclerc7878]

Thanks Ethan. Great vibe. Logic user here since forever putting my time into learning this amazing software. What I love the most about Ableton is how unique it can be to every artist. I love recording various drum beats live in session view then re setting the 1.1 location then setting it to 4 bars and cropping the sample. These tips are super helpful and useful. Thanks for inspiring. Subscribed.

[@CompleteProducer]

Woah, I haven't gotten into that stuff yet. There's always more to learn (: Thanks for subscribing!

[@koldstudios]

This video is exactly what I needed 🙌🏽🙏🏽 these tips are so good!

[@mikaelmonten3786]

Woah kold what are you doing here???

[@CompleteProducer]

happy to help! (:

[@schqrr]

facts 🔥

[@djphinesse]

I knew a lot of this but it was still great how you presented it! I’m really getting into send and returns instead of using insert effects and my production sounds so much more professional. Returns on my electro drums have given them life.

[@CompleteProducer]

that's great to hear!

[@alexandrosbitoulas]

That is very generous of you to share all this, Ethan! So many thanks!

[@CompleteProducer]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sikkimusic]

Man I havent learn so much from 1 video in a looooong time. Recently just switch to Ableton and you answered so many of my questions. Thank you so much for this

[@CompleteProducer]

Wow thanks so much for this comment! Happy to help (:

[@TheMrb777]

This is a fantastic video for anyone of any skill level, but it’s quite literally a perfect video for beginners. You will notice a pretty huge difference in your mixing/production if you implement these tips. Great stuff 👍

[@CompleteProducer]

Thank you! peepeepoopoo hahah

[@basementsinbangladesh1689]

I can wait to put these tips in effect! Always looking to improve my mix.

[@Etakit]

Lots of solid tips here! I'd highly recommend utilizing hotkeys, like cmd + A to select all (all of your effects for instance), cmd + F to find (for effects, instruments, etc.)

[@CompleteProducer]

absolutely!

[@tomacius]

Best tip video I've seen! Love the energy too. Great work!

[@gianlucapapa1]

Thank you very much man. I'm at the start of my abelton music producing journey. I'm very excited. Thanks for such a great video man. ❤👊🏼

[@CompleteProducer]

congratulations! i hope you fall in love with making music

[@a_changedworld]

Excellent. I'm coming on thirty years of audio and this is lovely. Well done mate

[@CompleteProducer]

wow that's a long time! and thank you!

[@yoelwww]

Instead of using sends and returns for vocals in Ableton you can create an audio effect rack with a wet and dry chain so you can control the wet signal independently of the dry signal. The only disadvantage of this is the ability to share the same rack to many vocals which you can do if you group all the vocals and place the rack on the group.

[@CompleteProducer]

that's true! other people have been commenting the same thing and it's something i have yet to dive into but I'm curious about implementing into my workflow. thanks for the suggestion!

[@matthewhayes3969]

The free TAL reverb plugin has separate dry and wet sliders. Super easy to use

[@rickmassimo6192]

@@CompleteProducer Can't you put an audio effect rack on a return track? Also, I've found the other thing to look into tweaking on OTT is the Amount knob. Also also, thanks for making this!

[@thetylersherman]

Do this all the time if I want to pre-mix before I hit my master sends, especially with room reverb and subtle widening effects.

[@bentonalexander4632]

Been using Live since 04. Good stuff here! My best tips- keep a folder of your favorite presets and instruments. Learn your hot keys. Both those things will increase the speed of your work flow dramatically.

[@charvel111]

Thank you so much. I'm beyond thankful, this is amazing

[@deedubya1267]

Great video! I learned a couple things I will definitely implement. (Like I never collect and save haha) I would have liked to see one of the tips talk more about gain staging as that is another thing that will take beginner producers to the next level. After OTT you said you may need to turn the sound down, but I think a proper explanation for why this is important is really in order. ESPECIALLY if this is aimed at newer producers. Knowing if things are sounding better or just louder is the key to the mixes we have all been chasing! Much love everyone and go make some music! Have fun!

[@CompleteProducer]

I will definitely keep this in mind moving forward. I appreciate the feedback! I’m going to have more in depth videos in the future too, so stay tuned!

[@deedubya1267]

Great video and looking forward to more in the future 👍 thanks

[@Jopey_Meow]

Unbelievably helpful video. I'm sort of wowed at how much crazy useful you just gave me with zero filler, no iffy tips or wasting time. Great video, man. Thank you very much.

[@CompleteProducer]

this is really encouraging to read, thanks so much!

[@stanyiziyah3865]

Bless the people like you share life power . And music , rhythm , understanding it’s to make the chains go ❤

[@hunterwalls9393]

I’m in the same situation as all these other commenters. These tips were truly so helpful and enlightening and streamlined my workflow. Been doing the same things while making all sorts of types of music for years and realized I made bad habits that this video essentially solved in 20 minutes. Can’t thank you enough Ethan. You’ve earned yourself a regular viewer brother! 🤙

[@CompleteProducer]

Wow I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you!

[@hpnascimento95]

The first tip is so silly, but so important at the same time. When I started, I also made the mistake of saving all my sessions in the same project folder, and it took me a while to understand how the hierarchy works within Ableton.

[@CompleteProducer]

Same, lol! I had a folder on my desktop with like 200 sessions in it.

[@partybassjazz]

I really appreciate artists that have reached a high level in the industry and go back to level 1 to help novice producers, as a novice producer myself, thanks Ethan :)

[@Soldiernate]

Finally a clean simple description of that side chain compression....thanks Ethan!

[@GermishGuy]

Damn dude! This is amazing. I just started out with producing and this is a tutorial I will definitely come back to on every step. Thank you so much!

[@bigpluck51]

Whoa I actually feel so proud of myself. All of these steps you've pointed out I already do. This has shown me how my skills have truly matured in the past 3 years, I'm a subscriber now! -BiG Pluck

[@CompleteProducer]

Wow sounds like you’re on the right track! Keep it up!

[@jackthompson7977]

Tip #4: It can get a bit messy using lots of return tracks for parallel processing like reverb sends. The same parallel processing can be achieved with an Audio Effect rack with one chain as the dry signal and another chain with the effects. Audio effects/instrument racks are underused for how helpful the are.

[@CompleteProducer]

Yeah that’s a great tip!

[@alexislopez8674]

This is absolutely incredible!! Thank you for sharing!!

[@michaelalvarado6183]

I’ve been producing idiom for a little under a year now, and these tips are really gonna change everything for me. Thank you so much for sharing with us. This will go a long way.

[@CompleteProducer]

wow i love to head that, keep it up!

[@superlynx98]

These are beginner tips, after 10 years I'd expect something more niche it nuanced but whatever

[@deedubya1267]

Manners. Ya ever heard of it?

[@superlynx98]

@@deedubya1267 who gives a fuck about manners lmfao, what do you expect me to say, "can you give tips that aren't basic common fucking sense... *Please*??" Get real.

[@deedubya1267]

@@superlynx98 lmao u alright there buddy? theres better uses of your time and energy i promise :) go make some music bub

[@CompleteProducer]

These are the tips I use regularly and have helped me the most. As with most tools in the arts, it’s more about who’s using the tools than the tools themselves. I’ll have more advanced videos in the future though if you want to dive deeper so stay tuned.

[@deejaysoulution]

So perfectly on point! Thank you!

[@Cam-on2jw]

tip #1 was super helpful, and I learned a little more about how the delay works in ableton. Thank you!

[@CompleteProducer]

woo!

[@aerov2484]

Yeah you don't know how to use OTT...

[@CompleteProducer]

🤡

[@aerov2484]

@@CompleteProducer OTT is a preset that uses multiband compression and expansion to achieve a constant level across the 3 bands that it divides the frequency spectrum into, helping you to raise the RMS level of a sound close to the maximum it can be. Those grey areas that you “like to click on” are the expansion ratio and threshold settings. You are not making the compressor “not hold on for too long” you are basically turning the expansion off by turning its ratio down to nothing. The expansion RAISES the level of the frequencies of the selected band when they go BELOW its threshold while the compressor LOWERS the level of the frequencies of the selected band when they go ABOVE its threshold. (Expansion is the left side brackets and compression is the right side brackets.) So the goal is to raise when it’s too low and lower when it’s too high, eventually resulting in the level of that band being stuck between two points they can’t move below or above. See that black space in between those “brackets” in the middle section ? That’s the sweet spot where the level of that band should be at to trigger both the expansion and the compression. You can move the threshold of both the expansion and compression, actually you HAVE to move the threshold of the expansion and compression in order for OTT to work how it was intended to work. When you drag the compression “brackets” to the right to “turn the mids and highs up”, you are raising the threshold of the compressor, resulting in less compression letting more of the mids and highs through. The change in gain that makes your mids and highs go up, is the output levels that have been raised (+10,3db for the highs and + 5,7db for the mids) to compensate for the volume you’re suppose to lose DUE to the compression. So what you’re basically doing here buddy, isn’t “chef’s kiss” but you’re kinda ruining the preset. Your main issue is that your level going INTO OTT is way above what it was designed to take. This is just basic gain staging really. You need the lower the level of the sound going into OTT so the mid band actually is BETWEEN the expansion and compression bracket and then adapt the threshold of the the expansion and compression of the two other bands. This is why it sounded “weird” when you put it on in the first place. So yeah, you’re compressing the mids somewhat because of how loud you’re running into it, but really I can promise you and everyone reading this, that the results you’re getting are a coincidence at best, and that you don’t know how to use OTT.

[@CompleteProducer]

​@@aerov2484 Sounds like you should be the one making tutorials in that case 🤣

[@aerov2484]

@@CompleteProducer Sure. Let's make a Zoom call on your channel and I'll explain what OTT actually does :-)

[@lvkrosenkreuz3638]

@@aerov2484 eeeesh

[@melaniecaudal3677]

Best Ableton tutorial I’ve watched so far, thank you Ethan and merry Christmas ❤

[@CompleteProducer]

thank you! merry Christmas!

[@screamjackpsy]

Thanks man this was brilliant. The saving instrument rack tip never occurred to me all these years. Seems so intuitive and obvious. Saved me a lot of time!

[@CompleteProducer]

a lot of these were thing that seemed obvious in retrospect but took me a while to learn. happy to help!

[@DJPastaYaY]

Really great tips. I find sidechaining to be especially useful!

[@spencersalzberg7213]

Thanks for the awesome tips! I've watched numerous videos on this stuff and this one was super helpful to help me put it all together.

[@CompleteProducer]

happy to hear that Spencer!

[@EuphoriaLacrymosa]

for some reason there's a clarity with how you're explaining all this that made me understand some of this on a more fundamental level, even though I have been already using some of these tips. thank you!

[@CompleteProducer]

wow that's a wonderful compliment, thank you!

[@lialexamusic]

These tips are so helpful! Thank you so much!

[@Jvssvl]

Randomly got recommended by KZbin and loved it. These are some great tips dude. Looking forward to your new content and hopefully they’ll be regular.

[@CompleteProducer]

thank you! and thanks youtube for helping get my videos to the right people haha

[@pretend7076]

one of the best videos i've watched this month, good job Ethan!

[@CompleteProducer]

wow happy to hear that (:

[@chrisjelley6899]

Perfect timing. This saves me 2hrs driving to buds house😊

[@xhxcxdrummerx]

My first time on the channel, and by tip #2, I already thought this video was more helpful than many I've seen before. Thanks so much for the valuable info!

[@CompleteProducer]

wow thank you!

[@jazznutz]

Starting over trying to learn ableton. So glad I stumbled onto this!!

[@Zir0h_Music]

I love this video! Thank you so much for these basics!

[@taohj.457]

Good job bro, you save my life especially the limiter and ott parts❤

[@fullthrottlemowing]

Lots of good information. Taking some back to production immediately. I have so many notes on the wall of things to remember to do and now I have more.

[@publicspace234]

Thank you! I’ve been using Ableton for 3 years and didn’t know all those warping tricks 😅 I appreciate your video! Very catchy song and voice as well

[@Antonio_Ortiz]

Tip 4 alone cleared up my mixes so much. Earned a sub!

[@monocyt]

This is the best video on ableton i’ve come across. So helpful for me. Especially showing how you practically do it. Thank you! Subscribing with notifications on.

[@CompleteProducer]

thank you for subscribing!

[@gabriellecoffy9348]

Wow, this was so amazing. Thank you for this it is so so appreciated!!!!

[@iby.ibyyyy]

This is so incredibly useful for people who have just started using Ableton, I already use most of these techniques but you explained them so well I WSH this was something I discovered when I first started. Will definitely be recommending this video to my friends!

[@ArielX2K]

I just stumbled onto this video, and I'm wowed by your ease with instruction; you're an excellent teacher! Thank you for sharing these tips; now looking forward to checking out more of your vids. New subscriber.

[@CompleteProducer]

thanks for watching and subscribing!

[@trainwreckproduction3260]

Great Videos so far mate.. and refreshing outlook on music in general compared to some other tutorials that seem to come across slightly arrogant.. keep releasing em!

[@user-Chikotillo]

Usually I don’t subscribe to any channel, but you’re great teacher! And i know what I’m talking about, because i went to Institute of audio research in New York City, we had great teachers, and you’re one of them, some people like you, just have talent to share their experience with other people like us, thanks for your content man🤝

[@MisterGray]

Great video!! Thank you for sharing your knowledge. 🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@anthonysallis]

Good stuff, thanks for your insights. Having had Ableton for a decade myself, I've worked out many of these tips - but the OTT compressor is a new one! I also like your tips on general settings for sidechaining etc, Cheers!

[@adrianmartinezflores4980]

Great tips and thanks for sharing all that with us, appreciated 💯🎶🙏🏼😎

[@kesparentals4638]

This is just brilliant! Thanks Ethan..

[@dsinned9992]

I'm not new to Ableton but there's still so much gold here. I knew some but this is great!

[@FSK1138]

i have been using Ableton since version 1 and this blew me away THANKS !!!!

[@teslamorghary2226]

Thank you for excellent examples!

[@CompleteProducer]

Glad you enjoyed them

[@djjameshayes9766]

Really enjoyed this video. Crystal clear explanation for each tip. Got u a new subscriber

[@banestar]

These are great tips. Thank you!

[@maddsoul]

This was very informative. Most of the tips I know but it served as a great reminder, Thanks!

[@CompleteProducer]

happy to hear that!

[@GrenaJr]

Great Vid!!! From a Engineer Vet... you showed me some things that I have never noticed. Like the OTT WOW!!! THANKS ETHAN

[@sclafyheart]

So well-explained and efficiently demonstrated! Both incredibly educational and entertaining. You've earned a sub.

[@CompleteProducer]

Wow thank's so much!

[@ccbass16]

Ethan - Thanks for sharing your Ableton wisdom. I'm adding Ableton to may Logic Pro skillset. You video is well presented and very helpful.

[@JedLiKenneth]

These tips were over the top !! Thank you so much. New subscriber.

[@CompleteProducer]

Love to hear that, thank you!

[@indridcold64]

This is the best generalized ableton tutorial I’ve ever watched. Thank you.

[@CompleteProducer]

wow thank you!

[@zaubererundmoderator]

Awesome tipps directly on point and it helped. Thanks a lot 🙏🏻

[@obed626]

Such a great teacher thank you

[@CompleteProducer]

Thank you Daniel!

[@evyborov]

Thank you this is immensely valuable ❤

[@CompleteProducer]

So glad!

[@Mdevlin0]

Dude. I’m so excited at the fact that I barely understood any of this. Just got Ableton Lite and I know I probably won’t be able to play with all of these features, but I feel like I’m absorbing so much already. And for the stuff I don’t understand, the fact that you’re pointing me towards experimenting with the important unknowns makes me even more excited to learn them. Thank you for your service!! ❤

[@CompleteProducer]

you're off to a great start, keep going!

[@patrickadams7720]

Wow, Ethan! Thank you for these tips! I am new to Ableton (more of a music hobbyist), but super excited to be learning tips and tricks! My main music focus will be Ambient Drone. Any tips you may have would be greatly appreciated! Thank you! 👊🏻

[@rasphodamus8793]

Amazing video! I've been DAWless since day one and have been exploring ableton to create and release tracks. Such a daunting task. Thanks for the great tips, can't wait to try some out tonight

[@CompleteProducer]

love to hear that, have fun! you got this

[@cellojoe]

These are great tips. Thanks for the reminders and the instructions

[@estasivibrations]

Hands down the best Ableton teacher on the web❤

[@ImarkusI]

Loved this!! Thanks man!

[@CompleteProducer]

Happy to hear that, More on the way!

[@dadtier564]

You are the man, thank you for this! Learned a ton!!

[@CompleteProducer]

thank you!!

[@slevingale2321]

Just bought Live a month ago and this was so helpful!

[@Knolram]

This was really amazing and helpful. Thank you

[@CompleteProducer]

thanks so much!

[@SimonaBREZANOVA]

This is really useful and well explained, thank you!!

[@iamsolia]

As a beginner, this was SUPER helpful to help me understand why I haven’t been enjoying my songs as much as I enjoyed writing them. Thanks!!

[@CompleteProducer]

happy to hear that you got something out of the video! keep it up!