Level: Beginner

MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE)  offers a vast playground of musical opportunities to create musical compositions and productions. Live 11 supports a range of MPE tools to allow the composer and producer to create ideas in a myriad of ways. In this workshop you will creatively explore and deploy a range of MPE techniques in a musical setting. This workshop aims to provide you with suitable skills to utilise the creative possibilities of MPE in the Ableton Live environment.

Session Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session a successful student will be able to:

• Identify the role and function of MPE

• Explore MPE compatible devices  in Live

• Utilize MPE controllers within Live 11

• Apply MPE to create novel musical and sonic elements

Session Study Topics

• Using MPE

• MPE devices in Live

• MPE controllers

• Creatively using MPE

Requirements

• A computer and internet connection

• Access to a copy of Live 11 (i.e. trial or full license)

About the workshop leader 

Mel is a London based music producer, vocalist and educator.

She spends most of her time teaching people how to make music with Ableton Live and Push. When she’s not doing any of the above, she makes educational content and helps music teachers and schools integrate technology into their classrooms. She is particularly interested in training and supporting female and non-binary people to succeed in the music world.

Supported by 

Level: Intermediate

MaxforLive allows users to develop their own devices for use in composition, performance and beyond. Creating a graphical user interface that complements the device is one of the crucial development stages that can give a device its personality. In this workshop you will learn how to create a custom user interface for a M4L device, including a native Ableton Live style to a completely personalised theme.

Session Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session a successful student will be able to:

• Identify different styles of user interface

• Explore and configure Live/Max UI objects

• Create custom dials and sliders

• Construct UI systems that synchronise with Ableton Live

• Create pop-up UI windows

Session Study Topics

• UI objects and their properties

• User designed GUI objects

• Translating Ableton Live’s theme system

• Window properties and embedded visual patches

Requirements

• A computer and internet connection

• A web cam and mic

• A Zoom account

• Access to a copy of Live 10/11 & Max 8 (i.e. trial or full license)

About the workshop leader 

Mark Towers is an Ableton Certified Trainer and a lecturer in music technology at Leicester College. He specialises in Max for Live, as well as working with Isotonik Studios to create unique and creative devices for music production and performance such as the Arcade Series.

Level: Intermediate Ableton Live users

Live 11 offers a wide range of creative effects and updates that can help create unique sounds.

In this intermediate level workshop you will learn how to build your own unique Drum Rack using random foley sounds, apply processing, get creative with Macro Variations and also explore some of Live 11’s new creative effects. This workshop aims to provide you with creative strategies to take your ideas to the next level.

Session Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session a successful student will be able to:

• Build at least one custom Rack

• Layer sounds and use Racks inside Racks

• Develop a deeper understanding of the key and updated features of Racks

• Utilize creative FX processing

Session Study Topics

• Building a Drum Rack out of random Foley sounds

• Racks inside Racks, layering foley sounds with Max for Live Drum Synths

• Macro Variations and other key features of Racks

• FX Processing techniques and an overview of some of the new devices in Live11, such as Spectral Resonator and Hybrid Reverb

Requirements 

• A computer and internet connection

• A web cam and mic

• A Zoom account

• Ableton Live 11 Suite – if not, participants should be advised to download the trial version

About the workshop leader

Anna is a London based producer, engineer, vocalist and educator.

Anna is currently working as a university lecturer in London, teaching music production, creating educational content and working on her next releases as ANNA DISCLAIM.