Sound Design and Synthesis in Ableton Live

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You Will Learn...

Synthesis 101: basics of using a synthesizer

Working with audio clips, automation, and warping

Modulations, oscillators, filters, samplers, and layering

FX utilization with phasers, flangers, chorus, distortion, and frequency shifters

Comb filtering, grain delay, corpus, & tension

Signal processing and tonal balancing as a foundation of good sound design

Deep dives into Ableton's instruments: Analog, Operator, Sampler, and Wavetable

FM Synthesis, Granular Synthesis, Wavetable Synthesis, Modular Synthesis, and more

You Will Get...

Video lessons with 20+ hours of content

An organized and optimized curriculum

Mentorship via the Seed to Stage private Discord Server

Feedback on your compositions through the community

Loads of resources such as Samples and Ableton Templates

Educational discounts from Ableton & more

Lifetime access to continuous new content updated monthly

Lasting skills that will ignite and elevate your career!

Course Curriculum

Free Preview Lessons

2.1 Editing Basics and Keyboard Shortcuts

17.6 Wavetable 6: Sound Design Examples

22.5 Roar Feedback

2 - Working with Audio

2.1 Editing Basics and Keyboard Shortcuts
(8:22)

2.2 Basic Clip Editing (5:26)

2.3 Audio Warping Modes (13:05)

2.4 Warping with "Beats" Mode (7:34)

2.5 Resampling Workflow (8:31)

2.6 Clip Automation & Texture Warping(12:44)

2.7 Elastic Audio and Warp Markers (8:33)

2.8 Review: Putting it All Together into a Loop (16:49)

3 - Ableton Auto Filter

3.1 Basic Filtering and Filter Types (9:33)

3.2 Circuit Types (6:06)

3.3 Putting the Auto in Auto Filter (9:31)

3.4 Auto Filter Sidechaining (4:41)

3.5 Clip Automation with Autofilter (5:58)

4 - Ableton Simpler Intro

4.1 Simpler Sample Playback Controls (11:32)

4.2 Simpler FX & Designing Sounds in Stages (10:02)

4.3 Automation in Arrangement View (13:07)

5 - Synthesis 101 with Simpler

5.1 What is Subtractive Synthesis? (4:18)

5.2 Simpler Becomes an Oscillator (6:23)

5.3 Amp Stage: ADSR Envelopes (10:48)

5.4 Simpler Modulation: Filter Envelope (7:42)

5.5 Simpler Modulation: Low Frequency Oscillator (9:08)

5.6 Simpler Globals (9:29)

6 - Advanced Simpler Sound Design

6.1 Simpler One Shot Mode (9:10)

6.2 Simpler Slicer Mode (7:57)

6.3 Warping within Simpler (13:15)

SHOW / HIDE FULL CURRICULUM

7 - Ableton Analog

7.1 Ableton Analog Overview (4:37)

7.2 Ableton Analog Oscillators (16:47)

7.3 Ableton Analog Filter Section (14:45)

7.4 Ableton Analog Filter Routing (11:42)

7.5 Ableton Analog Amp Section (7:27)

7.7 Ableton Analog Advanced Patch Ideas (32:15)

8 - Sound Design with Delay and Echo

8.1 Ableton Delay 1: Overview (8:25)

8.2 Ableton Delay 2: Repitch Effects (14:36)

8.3 Ableton Delay 3: Fade and Jump (10:00)

8.4 Ableton Delay 4: Comb Filtering (7:09)

8.5 Ableton Echo Overview (13:17)

8.6 Ableton Echo 2: Modulation Section (10:55)

8.7 Ableton Echo 3: Character Section (12:03)

8.8 Ableton Echo 4: Echo Effect Design (14:34)

9 - FM Synthesis and Ableton Operator

9.1 What is FM Synthesis? (1:59)

9.2 Ableton Operator Overview (11:38)

9.3 Ableton Operator ...Operators! (20:45)

9.4 Ableton Operator Filter Section (8:20)

9.5 Operator LFO Section (7:53)

9.6 Ableton Pitch and Global Sections (14:52)

9.7 Ableton Operator Sound Design (30:44)

10 - Reverb and Ambience

10.1 Reverb, Resonance, and Ambience Intro (1:54)

10.2 Reverb and Realism (9:11)

10.3 Ableton Reverb Controls (16:14)

10.4 Ableton Reverb Freeze Effects (11:35)

10.5 Hybrid Reverb Overview (7:10)

10.6 Hybrid Reverb Algorithms (22:42)

10.7 Hybrid Reverb Convolution & Impulse Responses (19:22)

10.8 Hybrid Reverb Transition Sounds (11:20)

10.9 Hybrid Reverb Sound Design Examples (14:30)

11 - Signal Processing with Insert Effects and Chains

11.1 What is an Effect Chain? (3:22)

11.2 Chorus / Ensemble / Vibrato (14:41)

11.3 Phaser / Flanger / Doubler (10:17)

11.4 Frequency Shifter (8:55)

11.5 Ableton Overdrive (7:41)

11.6 Ableton Amp (9:16)

11.7 Ableton Redux (11:33)

11.8 Ableton Erosion (3:55)

11.9 Ableton Multiband Dynamics & OTT (8:44)

11.10 Ableton Saturator (18:15)

11.11 Glue Compressor (9:12)

11.12 Ableton EQ Eight (11:50)

12 - Audio Effect and Instrument Racks

12.1 Audio Effect Rack Overview (6:30)

12.2 The Chain List (10:13)

12.3 Rack Macros (9:25)

12.4 Multiband Processing Racks(13:32)

12.5 Instrument Rack Overview (12:24)

12.6 Random Preset Generators (16:38)

13 - Layering Concepts and Workflows

13.1 Melodic Layering (10:37)

13.2 Sub and "Mid" Bass Layering (6:43)

13.3 Snare Layering with Audio (8:13)

13.4 Snare Layering with Effects (9:09)

13.5 Foley Layers! (11:11)

13.6 Kick Drum Layering (10:48)

14 - Granular Synthesis with Granulator 2

14.1 What is Granular Synthesis? (2:22)

14.2 Granulator 2: Grains (12:05)

14.3 Granulator 2: Grain Modulation (17:03)

14.4 Granulator 2: Filters, Envelopes, Pitch, and FM (14:13)

14.5 Granulator 2: Sound Design Examples (21:48)

14.6 Granulator 2: Live Input! (9:10)

15 - Glitch and Buffer Effects

15.1 Beat Repeat (13:19)

15.2 Grain Delay (9:18)

15.3 Glitchmachines Fracture (17:21)

15.4 Buffer Shuffler (23:10)

16 - Sound Design Workflows

16.1 Workflows Intro (1:55)

16.2 The Checklist Approach Part 1 (12:43)

16.3 The Checklist Approach Part 2 (9:06)

16.4 From Sound Design to Composition(15:37)

16.5 Sound Design within a Composition (13:55)

16.6 Comping in Place Workflow (14:38)

16.7 Focused Synthesis Workflow (9:00)

17 - Wavetable Synthesis with Ableton Wavetable

17.1 Wavetable 1: Overview (6:47)

17.2 Wavetable 2: The Oscillator Section (12:45)

17.3 Wavetable 3: The Filter Section (5:02)

17.4 Wavetable 4: The Modulation Matrix (15:10)

17.5 Wavetable 5: Globals and Midi (13:06)

17.6 Wavetable 6: Sound Design Examples Pt. 1 (23:28)

17.7 Wavetable 7: Sound Design Examples Pt. 2 (22:22)

17.8 Wavetable 8: Roll Your Own Wavetables (23:26)

18 - Physical Modeling / Karplus Strong Synthesis

18.1 Karplus Strong Synthesis Intro (4:03)

18.2 Ableton Collision 1: Exciter Stage (10:19)

18.3 Ableton Collision 2: Resonator Stage (18:17)

18.4 Ableton Collision 3: 2nd Resonator, LFO, and MIDI (21:59)

18.5 Ableton Corpus (10:37)

18.6 Ableton Tension (32:11)

19 - Ableton Modular Expansion

19.1 The Envelope Midi Device (18:23)

19.2 The LFO Device (13:46)

19.3 Envelope Follower Device (7:37)

19.4 Shaper (12:35)

19.5 Expression Control (15:52)

20 - Ableton Sampler

20.1 Ableton Sampler Overview (3:41)

20.2 Ableton Sampler's ...Sample Page (9:24)

20.3 Ableton Sampler's Pitch / Osc Page (13:55)

20.4 Ableton Sampler Modulation Pages (12:19)

20.5 Ableton Sampler Selector Modulation (10:09)

20.6 Multisamples 1: Intro and Importing (13:24)

20.7 Multisamples 2: Correcting Root Notes (5:56)

20.8 Multisamples 3: Instrument Chains (9:40)

20.9 Multisamples 4: Acoustic Instruments from 1 Sample (17:19)

20.10 Multisamples 5: Velocity Zones (8:27)

Course Curriculum

Free Preview Lessons

2.1 Editing Basics and Keyboard Shortcuts

17.6 Wavetable 6: Sound Design Examples

22.5 Roar Feedback

2 - Working with Audio

2.1 Editing Basics and Keyboard Shortcuts
(8:22)

2.2 Basic Clip Editing (5:26)

2.3 Audio Warping Modes (13:05)

2.4 Warping with "Beats" Mode (7:34)

2.5 Resampling Workflow (8:31)

2.6 Clip Automation & Texture Warping(12:44)

2.7 Elastic Audio and Warp Markers (8:33)

2.8 Review: Putting it All Together into a Loop (16:49)

3 - Ableton Auto Filter

3.1 Basic Filtering and Filter Types (9:33)

3.2 Circuit Types (6:06)

3.3 Putting the Auto in Auto Filter (9:31)

3.4 Auto Filter Sidechaining (4:41)

3.5 Clip Automation with Autofilter (5:58)

4 - Ableton Simpler Intro

4.1 Simpler Sample Playback Controls (11:32)

4.2 Simpler FX & Designing Sounds in Stages (10:02)

4.3 Automation in Arrangement View (13:07)

5 - Synthesis 101 with Simpler

5.1 What is Subtractive Synthesis? (4:18)

5.2 Simpler Becomes an Oscillator (6:23)

5.3 Amp Stage: ADSR Envelopes (10:48)

5.4 Simpler Modulation: Filter Envelope (7:42)

5.5 Simpler Modulation: Low Frequency Oscillator (9:08)

5.6 Simpler Globals (9:29)

6 - Advanced Simpler Sound Design

6.1 Simpler One Shot Mode (9:10)

6.2 Simpler Slicer Mode (7:57)

6.3 Warping within Simpler (13:15)

SHOW / HIDE FULL CURRICULUM

7 - Ableton Analog

7.1 Ableton Analog Overview (4:37)

7.2 Ableton Analog Oscillators (16:47)

7.3 Ableton Analog Filter Section (14:45)

7.4 Ableton Analog Filter Routing (11:42)

7.5 Ableton Analog Amp Section (7:27)

7.7 Ableton Analog Advanced Patch Ideas (32:15)

8 - Sound Design with Delay and Echo

8.1 Ableton Delay 1: Overview (8:25)

8.2 Ableton Delay 2: Repitch Effects (14:36)

8.3 Ableton Delay 3: Fade and Jump (10:00)

8.4 Ableton Delay 4: Comb Filtering (7:09)

8.5 Ableton Echo Overview (13:17)

8.6 Ableton Echo 2: Modulation Section (10:55)

8.7 Ableton Echo 3: Character Section (12:03)

8.8 Ableton Echo 4: Echo Effect Design (14:34)

9 - FM Synthesis and Ableton Operator

9.1 What is FM Synthesis? (1:59)

9.2 Ableton Operator Overview (11:38)

9.3 Ableton Operator ...Operators! (20:45)

9.4 Ableton Operator Filter Section (8:20)

9.5 Operator LFO Section (7:53)

9.6 Ableton Pitch and Global Sections (14:52)

9.7 Ableton Operator Sound Design (30:44)

10 - Reverb and Ambience

10.1 Reverb, Resonance, and Ambience Intro (1:54)

10.2 Reverb and Realism (9:11)

10.3 Ableton Reverb Controls (16:14)

10.4 Ableton Reverb Freeze Effects (11:35)

10.5 Hybrid Reverb Overview (7:10)

10.6 Hybrid Reverb Algorithms (22:42)

10.7 Hybrid Reverb Convolution & Impulse Responses (19:22)

10.8 Hybrid Reverb Transition Sounds (11:20)

10.9 Hybrid Reverb Sound Design Examples (14:30)

11 - Signal Processing with Insert Effects and Chains

11.1 What is an Effect Chain? (3:22)

11.2 Chorus / Ensemble / Vibrato (14:41)

11.3 Phaser / Flanger / Doubler (10:17)

11.4 Frequency Shifter (8:55)

11.5 Ableton Overdrive (7:41)

11.6 Ableton Amp (9:16)

11.7 Ableton Redux (11:33)

11.8 Ableton Erosion (3:55)

11.9 Ableton Multiband Dynamics & OTT (8:44)

11.10 Ableton Saturator (18:15)

11.11 Glue Compressor (9:12)

11.12 Ableton EQ Eight (11:50)

12 - Audio Effect and Instrument Racks

12.1 Audio Effect Rack Overview (6:30)

12.2 The Chain List (10:13)

12.3 Rack Macros (9:25)

12.4 Multiband Processing Racks(13:32)

12.5 Instrument Rack Overview (12:24)

12.6 Random Preset Generators (16:38)

13 - Layering Concepts and Workflows

13.1 Melodic Layering (10:37)

13.2 Sub and "Mid" Bass Layering (6:43)

13.3 Snare Layering with Audio (8:13)

13.4 Snare Layering with Effects (9:09)

13.5 Foley Layers! (11:11)

13.6 Kick Drum Layering (10:48)

14 - Granular Synthesis with Granulator 2

14.1 What is Granular Synthesis? (2:22)

14.2 Granulator 2: Grains (12:05)

14.3 Granulator 2: Grain Modulation (17:03)

14.4 Granulator 2: Filters, Envelopes, Pitch, and FM (14:13)

14.5 Granulator 2: Sound Design Examples (21:48)

14.6 Granulator 2: Live Input! (9:10)

15 - Glitch and Buffer Effects

15.1 Beat Repeat (13:19)

15.2 Grain Delay (9:18)

15.3 Glitchmachines Fracture (17:21)

15.4 Buffer Shuffler (23:10)

16 - Sound Design Workflows

16.1 Workflows Intro (1:55)

16.2 The Checklist Approach Part 1 (12:43)

16.3 The Checklist Approach Part 2 (9:06)

16.4 From Sound Design to Composition(15:37)

16.5 Sound Design within a Composition (13:55)

16.6 Comping in Place Workflow (14:38)

16.7 Focused Synthesis Workflow (9:00)

17 - Wavetable Synthesis with Ableton Wavetable

17.1 Wavetable 1: Overview (6:47)

17.2 Wavetable 2: The Oscillator Section (12:45)

17.3 Wavetable 3: The Filter Section (5:02)

17.4 Wavetable 4: The Modulation Matrix (15:10)

17.5 Wavetable 5: Globals and Midi (13:06)

17.6 Wavetable 6: Sound Design Examples Pt. 1 (23:28)

17.7 Wavetable 7: Sound Design Examples Pt. 2 (22:22)

17.8 Wavetable 8: Roll Your Own Wavetables (23:26)

18 - Physical Modeling / Karplus Strong Synthesis

18.1 Karplus Strong Synthesis Intro (4:03)

18.2 Ableton Collision 1: Exciter Stage (10:19)

18.3 Ableton Collision 2: Resonator Stage (18:17)

18.4 Ableton Collision 3: 2nd Resonator, LFO, and MIDI (21:59)

18.5 Ableton Corpus (10:37)

18.6 Ableton Tension (32:11)

19 - Ableton Modular Expansion

19.1 The Envelope Midi Device (18:23)

19.2 The LFO Device (13:46)

19.3 Envelope Follower Device (7:37)

19.4 Shaper (12:35)

19.5 Expression Control (15:52)

20 - Ableton Sampler

20.1 Ableton Sampler Overview (3:41)

20.2 Ableton Sampler's ...Sample Page (9:24)

20.3 Ableton Sampler's Pitch / Osc Page (13:55)

Need more info? Check out our FAQ!

20.4 Ableton Sampler Modulation Pages (12:19)

20.5 Ableton Sampler Selector Modulation (10:09)

20.6 Multisamples 1: Intro and Importing (13:24)

20.7 Multisamples 2: Correcting Root Notes (5:56)

20.8 Multisamples 3: Instrument Chains (9:40)

20.9 Multisamples 4: Acoustic Instruments from 1 Sample (17:19)

20.10 Multisamples 5: Velocity Zones (8:27)

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A COMPLETE ABLETON SCHOOL

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30% off Ableton Live new and upgrade licenses with Student Discount

Lifetime Access to Private Discord Community

Lifetime Access to all Video Lesson Content

Downloads including Samples, Instruments and Devices

Why choose Seed to Stage Courses over music college?

Access to the content on your own time

Mentorship, when you need it, for a lifetime

Community support and feedback on your music

30-Day Money Back Guarantee

Music college costs between $25,000 and $45,000 per year

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