If you're unfamiliar, chiptune is the awesome music found in retro video game consoles like the Nintendo Gameboy, known for its arpeggiated, catchy melodies, high energy, fast tempos, and basic waveforms.
In this video, I dive into Ableton Live 12, primarily using built-in instruments like Operator and Analog, and effects like Redux and Arpeggiator, to replicate those classic 8-bit sounds. You'll see my process for creating authentic-sounding chiptune drums using white noise emulation and sampling, developing a pulsing bassline, and crafting that signature arpeggiated lead sound. I also jump on the Teenage Engineering OP-1 to add some unique parts and that fun, wobbly lead sound characteristic of some chiptune tracks.
Watch as I build the track section by section, experimenting with different ideas and techniques to bring the chiptune vibe to life. Hopefully, this helps if you're looking to create your own chiptune tracks in Ableton!
Join me as I attempt to create a classic house track for the first time, drawing inspiration from the sounds of Chicago house and garage house. I'll walk you through my process in Ableton, focusing on those key elements of the genre: synthesized riffs, groove-oriented beats, and percussive layers, all influenced by legendary artists like Mr. Fingers and Marshall Jefferson.
In this video, you'll see me experimenting with different sounds and plugins to capture that classic house vibe. I'll be using tools like the iconic 808 for the kick drum, the Monologue for basslines and melodies, and plugins such as Waves Magma BB Tubes and Berserk Distortion to shape the sound.
Follow along as the track evolves, with all the experimentation and adjustments that go into the creative process. I'll share my thoughts and influences along the way, offering some insight into the classic house genre and my approach to making music.
My first attempt at creating a dark wave track! In this video, I dive into the characteristics of the dark wave genre, focusing on elements like minor keys, electronic instruments, and aiming for a gothic, ethereal feel.
Starting with setting up drum patterns using the Roland 909 and trying to get the bass right with a real electric bass and effects. I also experimented with using flatwound strings on a guitar for a darker sound and played around with reverse effects using the Avalanche Run.
The video shows my process as the song comes together, adding synths with the OP-1 and even briefly trying out some techno influences. You'll also see me grappling with the mix, adjusting EQ, reverb, and delay to try and capture that dark wave sound.
Join me in my home studio as I attempt to write a funky house track using Ableton Live! I'm drawing inspiration from artists like Federico Scavo, Wampa, and others for this session.
We start by programming a closed hi-hat loop with an 808 kit and setting the tempo to a lively 128 BPM. Then, I lay down a bassline using Guitar Rig 6, aiming for that essential funky groove. You'll see how I experiment with different bass sounds and patterns before recording a solid loop.
Next, I add the kick drum and fine-tune the drum sounds, incorporating elements like rim shots and 707 kicks to get the right feel. We explore various sound enhancements, including applying noise suppression to the bass, adding vinyl effects to the drums, and layering in vinyl static for texture.
I introduce cowbells to complement the bassline and experiment with other percussive elements to fill out the rhythm. The video also features the use of a Korg monologue for some synth sounds and various plugins like Baby Audio Super VHS for added flavor. Conga samples are brought in, and I adjust their tuning and effects to blend them into the track.
Join me as I dive into the world of liquid funk and attempt to write a track in this genre using Ableton Live!
Inspired by the signature elements of liquid drum and bass – those groovy, soulful basslines, emphasis on melody and harmony, and soothing atmospheres – I'll take you through my creative process from start to finish.
Watch as I set the tempo, build the drum beat, and experiment with guitar pedals to craft ambient intro textures. You'll see me record guitar parts for lead melodies and chord progressions, and work on the bassline using a Korg Monologue synthesizer and various plugins for that essential liquid funk feel.
See how I sidechain the kick and bass, refine the high hats, experiment with different bass sounds, and manipulate the arrangement to create dynamic drops and transitions. I'll introduce a new drum kit for a heavier section, add glitchy effects, and bring in new melodies and textures with both guitar and synth.
Join me in my first attempt at creating a Lo-Fi track using Ableton Live! I'm diving into this chill subgenre and exploring its key characteristics like using sampled sounds, adding audible hiss and crackle, limiting the frequency range, and aiming for those relaxed vibes.
Watch my process as I build the track from scratch. I start with drums, trying to get a wonky, lazy beat, and then move on to experimenting with guitar parts using some cool gear like the NUX amp Academy and Old Blood Endeavor Darklight pedal. You'll see how I add a bassline with the Moog Minitaur and play around with effects like delay.
I also work on incorporating vinyl noise and scratches to get that authentic Lo-Fi feel and use VSTs like the Baby Audio BA-1 and Ozone 11 to shape the sound. I'll share my thoughts on the challenges and what I learned during this first exploration of Lo-Fi production, including what I might do differently next time to go for a more jazzy feel.
Join me as I create a minimal house track from start to finish in Ableton Live! In this video, I walk you through my process, starting with setting the tempo (initially 120 BPM, later adjusted to 123 BPM) and building the core rhythm with a 909 kit for the kick and offbeat hi-hats.
See how I experiment with different percussive elements using a 707 kit and adding effects like Reverb and overdrive to shape the sound. I then lay down a bouncy bass line using a real bass guitar processed with Guitar Rig 6.
Discover how I use the Korg monologue to generate minimal melodies, enhancing them with Reverb and delay. I structure the track by building intensity with sections that include and exclude the kick drum and bass. I also incorporate a pad sound from the OP-1 for added depth, processed with delay, and use a 606 kit for an open hi-hat pattern.
Join me as I dive into the swirling sounds of Neo-psychedelia and attempt to write a song in this mind-bending genre using Ableton Live!
Inspired by the likes of King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard and Glass Animals, I'll take you through my creative process from building the ground up. Watch as I lay down a drum track with Addictive Drums and experiment with guitar, using delay effects to conjure up trippy chords and droney textures.
See how I add bass with a NUX Amp Academy and layer more instruments, including guitars drenched in various effects. I'll refine the arrangement, bring in synth bass and ambient synth textures to enhance the cosmic vibe, and explore different sections and moods within the song, from heavier, more intense moments to calmer, more melodic passages.
I'll also experiment with time signatures, drum patterns, and effects like distortion and filters to create a dynamic and engaging soundscape.
Join me on a musical exploration as I attempt to write a psychedelic folk song for the very first time in Ableton Live! This is a new genre for me, and I'm excited to see what comes out.
In this video, I'll take you through my process, starting with building a simple drum beat and adding percussion. You'll see me record guitar parts using the NUX Amp Academy and the Old Blood Endeavors DarkLight pedal, experimenting with different rhythm and lead sections and various effects to find that psychedelic folk sound.
Watch as I add a bassline with a top-heavy tone and arrange the different sections of the song, including verses, choruses, and a middle section. I'll layer in heavier rhythm guitars and lead parts, modify the drum patterns for variation, and pull it all together.
Join me as I attempt to create a synthwave song using Ableton Live!
In this video, we dive into the characteristics of synthwave music, including analog-sounding drums, deep bass lines, arpeggiated synth lines, and gated reverbs. I discuss how the genre is inspired by artists from the 1980s and early 1990s.
I set the tempo for the track, sticking to 100 BPM, which falls within the typical synthwave range of 80 to 140 BPM. See which instruments I use, including the OP-1 and Korg. I also incorporate various plugins such as Baby Audio Spaced Out, Super VHS, and Waves Magma BP Tubes.
I share my thoughts on the final result, considering it a starting point and a demo. If I had more time, I'd add more variation, sections, and potentially a vocoder voice.
Join me as I attempt to write a thrash metal song from scratch using Ableton Live! In this video, I take you through my process of creating heavy riffs, fast drums, and crushing bass lines.
We'll start by laying down a drum track around 190 BPM using Addictive Drums, then dive into crafting distorted guitar parts with a fuzz pedal. I'll show you how I add bass lines in drop C tuning to match the guitars and experiment with different tones and effects, including panning for a massive sound.
Watch as the song takes shape with added guitar and bass parts, including a solo section, and see how I add fills and variations to the drum patterns. I'll also share some thoughts on the challenges of writing in this genre and potential areas for improvement.
In this video, I'll take you through my process in Ableton Live, exploring the key elements that define trip hop like slow tempos, atmospheric sounds, and the blend of hip-hop and electronica.
Watch as I build the track from scratch, starting with a slow hip-hop beat using a worn-out acoustic kit sound from Addictive Drums 2. I'll add a Rhodes part with the Waves Electric 88 plugin and experiment with effects like overdrive and reverb to get that trip-hoppy drum sound.
See how I layer drum parts with an 808 kick and use plugins like the Abbey Road saturator VST. I'll add an electric bass line with Guitar Rig 6, experimenting with pitch-shifting and delays to create a dubby, psychedelic feel. You'll also see me create a lead part, add ambient guitar sounds, and structure the track with an intro, main section, and outro.
I'll focus on making the drums sound raw and sample-based, using various plugins like Retro 5, J37 tape saturator, and Baby Audio Super VHS. I'll apply low cuts, adjust the snare, add a scoop to the drums, and even incorporate vinyl dirt sound effects, fills, and breaks. Finally, I'll add and process a vocal sample with delays, reverbs, and Trash 2, and finalize the track with automation and mixing.
Join me as I take on the challenge of creating a track in just one hour! Watch the entire process using Ableton, my OP-1, and a variety of pedals and plugins. Usually done live!
A series of videos where I talk to fellow musicians about the connection between Spirituality and Music, followed by a lovely jam of improvised music.