Project 1 - Ableton Crash Course
The first thing you’ll need to get started is a Digital Audio Workspace (DAW), which is where you’re going to spend most of your office/studio time, on your computer working in your DAW. A DAW and a computer capable of running it are the only things required to start producing. I’m a very tactile learner so I actually bought a Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) board before really figuring out what a DAW was or why they’re so important. My MIDI board came with a free copy of MPC beats which is Akai Professional’s DAW. I played in MPC beats long enough to figure out how to use my board but after getting my feet wet and doing some more research I decided to try the trial versions of FL Studio 21 and Ableton Live 11 because those seem to be two of the most commonly used DAWs by professional EDM producers. I found FL Studio to be a really cool program with a ton of features, but perhaps too many and with a touch too much customization needed, I’d like to revisit FL Studio in the future but for now I’m using Ableton Live 11’s trial version, which unlocks the program for 90 days and gives more than enough functionality to dive in and start following along with some tutorials and making some music.
On MIDI Boards: I bought my first Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) board a couple of months ago, which is an AKAI MPK Mini Mk3. While not required to work in your DAW, I think having a MIDI board makes it a lot more interactive and tactile and therefor more enjoyable to learn. At the time of writing this, MPK Mini’s are available from numerous retailers for about $100 and it was recommended to me as a good option for beginners. I don’t have any experience with other MIDI boards so for now, my recommendation is the MPK Mini Mk3 if you’re looking for a MIDI board, but as with anything, do your own research and find something that’s to your liking and that you will enjoy playing. However, if you’re on a budget and just trying to get started, skip the MIDI board for now. Ableton Live 11 is already set up to utilize your computer’s keyboard as a MIDI board, so if your raring to go, just download the Trial Version and get started!
So, all in all my first real day of trying to learn music was spent watching This YouTube Tutorial by EDM Tips while using the Trial Version of Ableton Live 11. It took me several hours yesterday to work through his 21 minute tutorial but its packed with awesome information and will take you from knowing absolutely nothing about producing or Ableton to having created your very first song. Until yesterday I never created anything other than one or two drum beats but now I’ve got my first song under my belt and can’t wait for the next one! It will take time and patience to work through the tutorial because its so packed with information but he displays the entire process on screen which is extremely helpful for following along and finding your way through Ableton.
So, if your ready to get started on your own digital music journey, download the trial version of Ableton Live 11 for free and watch EDM Tips’ tutorial as a crash course. I’ll try to start including beats and songs I create while following along with tutorials for examples and to track my progression. I hope this was helpful and you guys enjoyed reading it, now go out there and make some music!