Hey it's Steve. Play the video for background music while you read.

I'm always surprised to hear Ableton users say they don't use Session View.

For me Session View is the core of Live, it's the standout function that makes Ableton better than any other DAW in the world.

If you don't use it, I highly recommend you start, because it's so much fun.

Session View gives us wild creative improvisation and the live-looping feel of making beats with samplers and drum machines and synths. Like in the dusty old days of MIDI hardware.

Do I use the Arrangement? Yes of course. But it's not the place to start.

And if the Arrangement is the ONLY thing you use, you are definitely missing the best part of Ableton Live.

Here’s the plan for how to build tracks in Session View.

1. Organize your session so you can find each sound when you want it. Drag all your loops into the top scene where you can launch them, hear them, and play with variations.

2. Extend your loops into phrases that have a start and an end. 1bar loops are fun but we need variation to keep it interesting. Yes you can do automation in Session View, it's wicked cool.

3. Make the building blocks of the song (intro, buildups, drops, etc). These are different scenes that let you play through the whole song and hear the parts, all on the fly. Sort of like Hot Cue points.

4. Add gaps & transitions like drum breaks, crash cymbals, risers etc. Ear candy. Definitely an automation spot to play with.

5. Assign FX and Controllers, play thru the track, and record into the Arrangement for final mixdown. This can be a studio session to record the final version for mastering, or this can be practice for doing a live set on stage at a show.

That’s it.

This will let you make tracks quickly, get the right song structure without obsessing over it for a million years, and put together a solid mix that's ready for mastering.

Again, watch the video for a demonstration of how I play through a full track from Session View.

WATCH THE VIDEO >>

You can find more tips on Session View production for studio tracks and live sets on my Youtube channel (Ableton Hybrid DJ's).

And please watch for new livestreams coming up next week. I love sharing production tips as I go along.

Last note, if you like this track and you want to play with it in Session View, you can get the template right below, the song is called "Moss Vibes".

Thanks for coming with me. Let's make some tracks.

Steve

GET THE TEMPLATE >>

0 comments

Write a comment

Steps In The Mixdown Process: quick guide

live mix class starting this week

livestream starting soon: Ableton studio dub in session view | 80bpm Kitty Likes HousePlants

Ableton Hybrid DJ's | EQ'ing Techniques | Pittsburgh Local

New Playable Live Set | Livestream on Youtube 12pm EDT

See all posts from Mixitecture Ableton Tutorials