Reading List: Intros, Live Looping and Performance, and Some Useful Devices

This week, there's some great content for helping you get your tracks started, performing, and adding excitement. Also check out some cool devices from Beat Lab.

The always entertaining Underbelly teaches you how writing intros is a lot like meeting women:

In this week's episode, learn how introducing your track to a new listener is like introducing yourself to a beautiful woman: both highly unlikely. You'll learn that introducing the least offensive part of your track first can often make for interesting small talk before the drop.

Live Looping with Rheyne, A nice approach to live looping and performance:

An introduction to live looping with Ableton Live. This video will show you how to build a live looping template using only Ableton, a Novation Launchpad, and the instrument of your choice. In this example, all sounds are coming from a Make Noise 0-Coast.

A clever way to use Live's MIDI Effects for adding harmonies, from Beat Lab Academy:

In this video, we demonstrate how to take any lead sound and thicken it using a harmony line playing 2 notes below in the pentatonic scale. This technique works great for RnB other influenced genres but you can use it for any lead for any style.

From Loop, a performative presentation by Tennyson:

From Loop 2017, Tennyson demonstrate how they use Ableton Live to reproduce their intricate arrangements live. They follow up this walkthrough with an intimate live performance. Keep up with Tennyson on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/tennysonmusic See more from Loop: https://www.ableton.com/en/blog/loop/

A nice set of techniques for more organic mixes:

Todays computers can take you through the entire music production process without even having to pick up an instrument or record anything. Drums, synths, and instruments can all be programmed in exactly how you want them to with just a simple click of the mouse.

Beat Lab's AutoTuna- an improved auto-tune with Max for Live!

A great conversation with engineering, producer, author Tom Frampton.

Creating Excitement- Simple Techniques to Prevent Boredom: My newest video course on making interesting music.

Glitch and LoFi Audio Effects Ableton Live Bundle: Two of my best collections of audio effects are on sale until March 27th!