loops and single hits in session window..

innerstatejt · Post by **innerstatejt** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 7:14 am

Hello everyone,
I'm a fairly experienced producer but new to ableton I think I have questions that doesn't get discussed often.
Since I've heard some incredible tracks done start to finish on ableton within days or hours (guy gerber - stoppage time) I got very excited.

I'm wondering how you would incorporate single hits and loops both in the session display. I understand the concept of 'live jamming' but am concerned about limitations caused by only using loops (cluttered mix, loss of quality, lack of proper builds and fills).
Years back I was really into the program "acid" but found limitations in sound manipulation and found drawing in drumhits to be quite tedious. I prefered fruity loops ability to work so well with single hits (although structuring a song can be a bitch). I'd like to hear how ableton users are getting around these types of limitations.
Are most of you jamming a bunch of loops and then drawing in additional single hits and fills in the arrangement window or are there better techniques for working almost exclusively in jam mode until the song is mostly complete?
I would love to hear how many of you are approaching fast and quality songwriting when inspiration hits you. I am also interested in ways you all go about keeping a "jam" exciting, unpredictable and sonically acceptable.
Hopefully this forum doesnt look at this as a simple "newbie" question, as I feel this type of talk can really assist the pros as well as the hobbyists.
Cheers,
Jason Timothy (innerstate)

Michael-SW · Post by **Michael-SW** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 8:04 am

For single hits you might be better off with some sort of sampler instrument (like Impulse...). Then you program midi clips to trigger the samples.

Also you are probably going to need a few VST synths. Almost everyone uses some sort of "Virtual Analog" synth like z3ta, Vanguard, Synth 1 (free!).

Depending on your style you might also want to use "real" instruments like electric pianos, horns etc. Then you need a general purpose sampler with a good library like Kontakt 2, HALion.

If you do experimental stuff, just ignore everything I said above.

pepezabala · Post by **pepezabala** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 12:30 pm

get the demo and try.

the fast-for-songwriting-way is to use session view, which is like a spreadsheet full of samples, may it be loops or may it be one-shots. You can trigger them by clicking on them or by launching them from a midi-device. you can launch all clips in a row ("scene") at the same time. so you can try out combinations of loops/one shots/samples/recordings, when you like them you put them all in a scene and try to put together the next one. Like this you will easy-lee compose lots of scenes that you can record later into an arrangement

but it's so easy to understand if you just download the demo and try the demo lesson

innerstatejt · Post by **innerstatejt** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 8:22 pm

Thanks for the replies,
Everything said is pretty much the approach I was thinking, but it's helpful to know there aren't any 'holy grail' tips that brings the loops and single hit together. cheer, and keep em coming!
Jason

scootersaurus · Post by **scootersaurus** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 4:17 am

innerstatejt wrote:it's helpful to know there aren't any 'holy grail' tips that brings the loops and single hit together

Hey Jason,

have you tried consolidating your single hits and loops in the arrangement view?

Clearscreen · Post by **Clearscreen** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 5:37 am

you might want to do a search for stuff about using live as a realtime audio/midi looper in session view. it gives you plenty of flexibility for using a midi controller to program multiple elements (be they single hits or loops, or effects) simultaneously with some clever midi routings.
i've moved away from using drum loops largely, preferring to record my own loops into midi as i go, then loop something (bassline from reaktor for example) into another track etc. and build up sections as i go, then maybe take a good hard look at the sum total and sort it out in the arrangement view later.

innerstatejt · Post by **innerstatejt** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 2:14 am

Thanks for that last comment, I think that was the type of answer I was looking for. although I dont really quite under4stand how to empliment the technique, I have something to research. cheers,
plus when I asked the question I was thinking strictly audio, but I suppose I couldnt always use single hits in something like kontakt and make a bunch of midi clips in the session view. cheers and thanks for all of the comments.
Jason

cosmosuave · Post by **cosmosuave** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 9:03 pm

Try this tutorial very straight forward...

http://www.ableton.com/index.php?main=t ... b=tips1103

SPY · Post by **SPY** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 10:25 am

thanks for the link cosmosuave!

I'm totally new at producing and i am having a really hard time implementing (sample)hits. I can't get "tsst tsst tsst" sound(and it's variations) and other stuff on to my productions.

Any more tips???

cosmosuave · Post by **cosmosuave** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 9:41 pm

SPY wrote:thanks for the link cosmosuave!

I'm totally new at producing and i am having a really hard time implementing (sample)hits. I can't get "tsst tsst tsst" sound(and it's variations) and other stuff on to my productions.

Any more tips???

http://www.tweakheadz.com

Also try some tutorial at Future Music and Computer Music and http://www.dancetech.com has a section on drum patterns to get you going...It is kind of buried in the site but you will find it....

montrealbreaks · Post by **montrealbreaks** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 7:26 am

cosmosuave wrote:
SPY wrote:thanks for the link cosmosuave!

I'm totally new at producing and i am having a really hard time implementing (sample)hits. I can't get "tsst tsst tsst" sound(and it's variations) and other stuff on to my productions.

Any more tips???
http://www.tweakheadz.com

Also try some tutorial at Future Music and Computer Music and http://www.dancetech.com has a section on drum patterns to get you going...It is kind of buried in the site but you will find it....

Nice link to tweakheadz cosmo! Damn fine website!

Hey, how's life in Toronto?

SPY · Post by **SPY** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 3:35 am

thanks!

loops and single hits in session window..

loops and single hits in session window..

thanks..

Re: thanks..

single hits loops etc...