30 minutes from class

 

LA Beats Flying Lotus Style Overview

Explore the Soul of LA Beats: Flying Lotus Style - Uncover the secrets behind the mesmerizing beats of LA’s beat scene.

In this session, we’re diving into a style that has shaped my entire music journey: the LA Beat Scene. Known for its eclectic, effortlessly cool, and mostly instrumental roots in hip-hop, this movement has been at the core of my creative life. It’s impossible to talk about this without my personal connection to it—so I’ll share some stories and insights from my time in LA during the rise of this groundbreaking sound.

At the heart of the LA Beat Scene is J Dilla, the blueprint for everything this movement became. His influence, combined with turntablism, IDM’s experimental edge, early UK dubstep, and more, helped form a sound that is genre-defying and timeless. From the mid-2000s to early 2010s, this scene blossomed thanks to the legendary Low End Theory parties. I was lucky to be in LA during this time, experiencing these transformative moments firsthand.

I even had the nerve-wracking honor of performing at Low End Theory over a decade ago, showcasing my Power Glove setup to an intimidating but incredibly receptive crowd.

Now, it’s surreal to count some of this scene’s icons—Flying Lotus, Samiyam, Daedelus—as my students and friends. These connections have given me unique insights into the techniques and philosophies that defined this style, which I’ll share during the workshop.

 

1. How to LA Beats Flying Lotus Style

• • Philosophy of Beatmaking: Understand the mindset and musical philosophy of Flying Lotus and the LA beat scene.
  • Inspiration into Creation: Translate abstract concepts into cohesive beats with unique textures and tones.

2. Get that Swing

• • Swing Secrets: Master micro-timing adjustments to create that lazy-yet-tight feel.
  • Unquantized Grooves: Learn how to break free from the grid without losing the flow.
  • Humanizing Beats: Use velocity, timing, and subtle imperfections to breathe life into your rhythms.

3. Sampling Techniques

• • Creative Sampling: Flip unexpected sounds into unique loops and layers.
  • Vinyl Chop Vibes: Mimic SP-303/404-style chopping in Ableton for retro-futuristic vibes.
  • Layering Samples: Combine organic and digital sources to create rich sonic palettes.

4. Flying Lotus Drum Programming

• • Off-Kilter Rhythms: Build complex drum patterns that push boundaries while staying groovy.
  • Percussive Layers: Fat kicks, layered snares, and hi-hats for depth and dimension.
  • Velocity and Texture: Use dynamic programming to add emotion to your drums.

5. Weird Percussion

• • Experimental Sound Design: Turn everyday sounds into percussion with creative effects.
  • Found Sounds: Incorporate field recordings and foley into your beats for an otherworldly feel.

6. Texture Layering

• • Dimensional Soundscapes: Layer textures to fill the space between your beats.
  • Noise as Music: Learn how to use noise creatively for warmth and grit.
  • Ambient Layers: Add pads, drones, and subtle atmospheres for emotional depth.

7. Lazers & Glitch FX

• • Signature Glitches: Use Ableton’s tools to create Flying Lotus-style glitch effects.
  • Lazer Synths: Design sounds that cut through the mix.
  • Audio Mangling: Process your sounds with granular techniques and creative resampling.

8. SP-303, 404 Style Compression in Ableton

• • Retro Compression: Recreate the crunchy, lo-fi compression of the SP-303/404.
  • Sidechain Creativity: Use compression musically to create dynamic push-and-pull effects.
  • Glue and Grit: Dial in compression that ties your track together while adding analog-style warmth.

 

This workshop is for all levels, so whether you’re diving into Ableton for the first time or seeking to refine your skills, you’ll leave with techniques to elevate your production game.

 

Project from Class

Follow along with everything we did in class. Drum Programming, Mixing, Texture layering, laser & FX, Sampling and much more

 

Ableton Project Example

Get accesses to another Flying Lotus style project we reviewed at the end of class which uses more MIDI composition with jazzy chords and melodies with the same Drum Programming techniques.

 

Nuke Machine Noise Generator

Play any note to create a noise texture that can be completely changed and manipulated with the Macro Controls.

This rack is a sound design competition winner and provide a great layer of texture for your LA beats.

 

Sub Instrument Rack

Preset from Wavetable Presets Vol. 1 - Versatile sub bass instrument for Hip Hop, RnB and Electronica

 

Ultra Low Instrument Rack

Preset from Wavetable Presets Vol. 1 - Super Low Sub

 

Compressor from Ableton Live 8 for Clean Side Chaining

This compressor is using the feed forward algorithm and it offers one of the cleanest low end side chain. Taken from Ableton Live 8.

Save the device as is and do not hit the Upgrade button!

 

Harp Glissando

MIDI Effect rack to be placed before a pluck instrument to allow easy arpeggios based on the selected scale in the clip or Ableton's key awareness.

Macros

Pluck Speed – Glissando Rate (Automate this!)

Gate – Length of Notes

Style – Direction of notes arpeggiation

Velocity Random – Amount of velocity randomization

 

Lazer Delays

Place this rack after a lazer sample for a long ping pong delay to infuse the cosmic vibe that is synonyms with this style.

 

Break Bus Driver

An exclusive Audio Effect Rack you can use on all your breakbeats tracks and/or Drum groups.

This rack combines saturations, compression, short reverbs, rhythmic delays and transient shaping.

This rack will make your drums sounds fatter and fuller.

Macros:

Drive – Waveshaping distortion from the Drum Buss

Crunch – Mid/High Distortion

GAINNN – Controls the makeup gain of the Glue Compressor before the last stage of Soft and Hard Clipping

Saturate – Analog Drive before final clipping

Room Space – Drums Plate reverb

Groove Echo – Syncopated 1/4 notes for added groove

Tilt Filter – Tilt EQ to adjust the balance of the highs and lows

Comp – Last compressor stage

 

M/S Squashed Master Limiter

Place this Limiter preset on the master to get a more compressed sound reminiscent of samplers like the MPC and SP-303 and 404.

You can also load this on your drums, bass and instrument tracks.

 

Avatar Pad Instrument Rack

Pad sound preset from the Wavetable Presets Vol. 2

 

Symbolism Lead Instrument Rack

Key/Lead sound from Wavetable Presets Vol. 2

 

Live FX Audio Effect Rack

Live FX rack can be mapped to your MIDI controller to perform live effects over your beats.

 

What's Included with this session

• 2+ hours of Ableton Certified Training Video
• 2 LA Beats Flying Lotus Style Ableton Projects
• Compressor from Live 8 for Clean Side Chaining
• Break Bus Driver Rack for Drum Bus Processing
• Nuke Machine Noise Generator Rack
• Avatar Pad Instrument
• 2 Sub Bass Instruments
• Symbolism Lead/Key Instrument
• Master Limiter Preset
• Live FX Audio Effect Rack
• Harp Glissando MIDI Effect Rack
• PDF with a list of Sample Packs, Free Plugins, Max for Live and Create Digging Websites

 

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ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Yeuda Ben-Atar, a world renowned Ableton Certified Trainer, hails from Los Angeles, California. Originally from Israel, Yeuda’s passion for music led him to the United States, where he discovered his true calling with Ableton Live in 2007, embarking on a journey of mastery.

He approaches Ableton in a unique way; producing and performing with video game controllers under the moniker Side Brain.

One of Yeuda’s most remarkable qualities is his exceptional knowledge and speed, combined with his unparalleled ability to explain complex concepts in a simple and engaging manner.

With years of experience as a music production instructor and educator, Yeuda has contributed his expertise to prestigious institutions throughout the United States, including USC, UCLA, UCSD, Colburn Music School, Berkley School of Music, Cal Arts, NAMM, Skywalker Sounds, Bedrock LA, Sonos Studios, Sweetwater Headquarters, 1500 or Nothing studios, Grammy U, Pensado’s Place, Vintage King, Museum of Making Music, Lynda.com (now known as Linkedin Learning), and Perfect Circuit Audio, among many others.

His projects have included working with and teaching artists such as Timbaland, Ludacris, Lavel Kali(Beyonce, Drake) DJ Numark and Jurassic 5, Beck, Skrillex, Flying Lotus, Ed Sheeran, Rick Rubin, Giorgio Moroder, Simi, Bootie Brown (Pharcyde), Dave Pensado, Madison Mcferrin and countless others.