Description:

A comprehensive course about music composition, track production, and designing performance rigs using Ableton Live 8. Ableton Live is the latest in music production software -- the DJ and music producer's best friend in composition and mixing in the studio as well as in live performance.

In the intro class, students will cover the ins and outs of Ableton and learn all of its core functionality, its common uses, and a couple of uncommon ones.

In the advanced class, students will be working with remixing, recording new content, using plugins / Max4Live, and creating plans for individual electronic musicians to get the most out of Ableton Live as a production/performance tool.

Class Goals:

Introduction to Ableton Live: The student will walk away with a solid grasp of Ableton Live and what it can do. They will be able to setup a DJ template, warp tracks, and begin to produce music, as well as trigger external equipment using MIDI.

Advanced Ableton Live: Students will create some electronic dance music, and will learn a few different ways to perform, using Ableton Live.

Prerequisites:

Basic Computer literacy and English literacy. Students in the Advanced class must be familiar with basic Ableton functions.

Materials:

Students are encouraged to bring their own laptops with their own copy of Ableton Live installed, but computers and trial versions of the software will be available for any students who need. Every student must bring a personal pair of headphones.

Instructor Biographies:

James Arthur, commonly known throughout Boston as Jester, is an administrator, manager (events, promotions, talent), designer, producer and problem-solver who has been has been behind the scenes putting his talents to work for local artists and arts collectives for the past 15 years. James is co-founder of the experimental Collaborative Electronic Mixed Media Institue (CEMMI.org) located within the Artisan's Asylum, and has been performing music since he was 5 years old in various drum and bugle corps. Autodidactic, self-educated in entertainment management, event coordination, business, music theory, and performance, Jester owns and operates a business services firm, has worked with Fortune 500 companies, and owns his own digital production studio.

Ben Cantil aka Encanti is an independent artist dedicated to creating high-quality and uniquely customized electronic media experiences. He is an independent music producer, performer, sound designer, DJ, and VJ. He creates music in the A/V production Zebbler Encanti Experience, and he plays laptop in the band Shpongle Live.