What do you think about Ableton as a beginner starting point

citizen · Post by **citizen** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 1:59 pm

In the past I've mucked around on things like Garage Band and Fruity Loops, but I want to actually invest a bit more time into actually making some half-decent tunes.

I've played around with the Ableton interface a handful of times, and it seems quite logical.

I'd just be keen to hear your thoughts on the program as a starting point to get into production, or if you can suggest any better alternatives.

Thanks!

(sorry if this has been covered - I couldn't find the thread)

Oh, and I'm on a Mac.

will schiller · Post by **will schiller** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 4:29 pm

I'd just go for logic 8 if your running mac. Its harder to use but I find it much more versatile once you've learnt it. I used to use Ableton live 6 but now i'd never go back. Ableton is however really good if you wanna dj with software.

citizen · Post by **citizen** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 7:43 pm

^^^

Obviously that's the pro choice ...but isn't that throwing myself in the deep end a bit?!

I just want to get started, get a good grounding in the basics and theory of production...and then, maybe make the step up to more advanced software.

will schiller · Post by **will schiller** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 9:59 pm

It would be throwing yourself in at the deep end a bit but thats a good way to learn. The new Ableton looks quite a bit better than the old one and some people do make tunes just using ableton. The other one to check out would be reason made by propellerhead. That suppose to be a bit easier to use than logic tho I haven't use it myself. Guess it all comes down to what you want to do and how you like to work in the end. Was just thinking do you really wanna shell out twice for two different bits of software if your already thinking of up grading later. Logic 8 is much easier to use than 7 i'd say. Best thing would be to have a go on them all if you can then decide from that. It's what you do with it that counts not which software you use so it mainly comes down to personally preference.

slim · Post by **slim** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 10:55 pm

Ableton is great for me, i'm also a beginner, the workflow is so fast and simple that i find it almost impossible to use a more linear sequencer afterwards. Although you should go for whatever feels best for you, try out other demos, I did, and pretty much fell in love with Ableton's way of working

somejerk · Post by **somejerk** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 11:07 pm

FL Studio (Fruity Loops), Ableton Live and Reason are all great starting points as they all are all VST compatible. i've been a Live user for 3 years now and i love it. you may have to start using VST plug ins to get the sound you want (i use Wave's Diamond Bundle for EQ, limiting and a few other goodies) but i think that really Live is a good introduction.

then again, Live's set up is a bit unique, so you may want to cut your teeth on Reason which seems to be a bit more standard.

if you have access to a Mac, i guess Logic would be the way to go. maybe start with an older version (cheaper and simpler) and work your way up.

slim · Post by **slim** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 3:28 pm

Where did the rest of this thread go?

Weird

edit: aaah right, explains it in the main forum.

krept · Post by **krept** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 1:05 am

good idea

tudniillik · Post by **tudniillik** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 1:21 am

ablaton is for techno vikings
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tZCQpCopPw
AAAAAAAAAAAA

Lurka · Post by **Lurka** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:05 am

i use ableton live 6 at the moment but am in the process of moving to logic 8. love how easy it is to mess with audio in ableton and how a tune can begin to take shape in a matter of minutes the workflow rate in ableton is brilliant! but wish id started with logic as i am finding it difficult to make the jump, but have to as its part of my uni course ahaha

go for logic as its supa cheap!

spencertron · Post by **spencertron** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:46 am

I’m on a Mac, I’ve tried Ableton and found it is very good for IDM, Midi programming, and working with samples however it is built with the intention of being used in live situations. That’s not to say it lacks as a DAW.

I prefer using Logic…i programme all of my sounds and beats using Reaktor 5 as a plug-in with logic. (If you’re not familiar with Reaktor 5…it is a modular synthesis building programme like that of Max/Msp…it does require some basic knowledge of DSP so probs not good for beginners to sound design, but i have not found a soft synth with greater flexibilty to sound design or with a better Audio Engine)

Logic, in my humble opinion, is by far the best sequencer that and Pro-tools (but that’s a completely different level of DAW). If you’ve been using Garage Band then you’ll be somewhat familiar with the interface of Logic and Logic would seem like the most natural progression IMO.

Ultimately, worksations all do the same thing bar a few cosmetic features, and in the end, if you spend enough time with any workstation you will get what you want out of it.

somejerk wrote:FL Studio (Fruity Loops), Ableton Live and Reason are all great starting points as they all are all VST compatible.

Edit: By the Way...Reason is not VST compatible...it can only be 'rewired' provided your chosen DAW supports 'rewire'. i.e. it cannot be used as FX and plug-ins cannot be used with it.

citizen · Post by **citizen** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 2:39 pm

Its a bugger all of your helpful tips dissappeared! Bah! but thanks anyway.

Keep em rollin.

Can't wait to get my Powerbook back from the Mac Doctors!

whineo · Post by **whineo** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 3:08 pm

Im sure I posted in this thread a while back wtf???

corpsey · Post by **corpsey** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 8:02 pm

do what you feel man

admittedly i know nothing about either program but even if you have to learn logic later its not as if you won't have learned anything from using ableton

slim · Post by **slim** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 2:27 am

One of the questions that got deleted that interested me was why ableton is considered an inferior DAW. Yeah, obviously it CAN be used as a live performance tool, but that is just one of its features.

tudniillik · Post by **tudniillik** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 2:47 am

afaik you cant reallly do 1/32 or 1/64. Its easy to do it in FL and its pretty cool too . Maybe I do a screenshot in change for som DOOOPE

armada · Post by **armada** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 7:19 pm

i used to use Digital Performer on my mac, but after trying the Live demo i bought it and never went back. like somebody said the workflow is really streamlined in Live: its so easy to get your ideas down quickly and on the fly.

for making electronic music, you can do nearly anything in Live that you can do with Logic. Logic has more advanced audio recording features i think

citizen · Post by **citizen** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 6:14 pm

Thanks for your responses guys...pity the rest of the thread disappeared. :/

do the peeps that posted fancy re-posting?!

dubsteppa · Post by **dubsteppa** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:11 am

ableton in my eyes is the best bit of softwear ever made i used to use reason and cubase but no i just do everything in ableton its so quick to create a track 2days not 2 weeks invest in it m8 trust it will make you a far betta producer over night

whineo · Post by **whineo** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 1:27 pm

tudniillik wrote:afaik you cant reallly do 1/32 or 1/64.

are you relating this to quantising??
because you can in Ableton?

What do you think about Ableton as a beginner starting point

What do you think about Ableton as a beginner starting point

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