First 20 minutes from class

 

Expressive Chords Overview - Scroll down for the example project

Unlock the full power of chord-based creativity with Ableton Live 12.2's most exciting new device: Expressive Chords.
In this session we take a deep look into how to use Expressive Chords to quickly build rich harmonic progressions, craft full songs, and stay in key while layering basslines and melodies.

Whether you're producing house, hip-hop, neo-soul, or cinematic scores Expressive Chords is on of the most powerful tools Ableton has to offer.

this session will show you how to go from a single note to a complete musical idea, all inside Live.

What You'll Learn:

• How to Use Expressive Chords: Understand how each note maps to a full chord, how Expressive Chords differentiate from the classic Chord MIDI Effect and how to customize chord sets for your style.
• Capturing & Composing: Techniques to record and arrange chord progressions into full compositions quickly with quickly bouncing and capturing MIDI effects.
• How to Find the Key: Learn to identify and set the song key dynamically, so everything stays harmonically connected.
• Adding Basslines & Melodies: Strategies for writing supporting parts that match and elevate your chord progressions and using Max for Live tools to filter individual notes from each chord automatically.
• Custom Articulation: Explore how to Expressive Chords articulation engine can be used creatively.
• PUSH Control: Control Expressive Chords directly from your Push 2 or Push 3 and perform with confidence.

No theory knowledge required ,
Perfect for producers, performers, and songwriters looking to break out of the loop and write real music fast.

 

Expressive Chords Project Example

 

Included with the session are 3 Ableton projects demonstrating the use of Expressive Chords and composition.

 

Expressive Chords Presets

2 custom expressive chords presets.

• Side Brain Chords - A lot of my favorite voicing and type of chords
• Drum Clusters - To use with drum racks with custom articulations and full strum mode

 

MIDI Bounce

This exclusive Max for Live device can save you a lot of time!
Unfortunately, Ableton Live currently doesn't have a MIDI bounce option to capture all the MIDI effects on the track (like Expressive Chords) into the MIDI clip.

Simply place this device on the MIDI track and hit bounce it will:

1. Create a new MIDI track
2. Set the routing from the original track
3. Arm the Track
4. Record a new clip in fixed length
5. In Session View it will also copy the new clip to the original track and delete the temporary track

All with one button!

 

Chords2Melody

Another exclusive Max for Live device, this one can be placed after Expressive Chords to extract only the bass (lowest note), top note or randomly select one note out of the chord.

You can also prioritize higher or lower note with he Bass-Top slider.

This device is great for adding another layer of melodic movement from Expressive Chords for live playing or production/sound design.

 

Beefy master

Included in the Ableton Project examples is the Beefy Master rack.

Using the free LiveCrusher (Camel Crusher Clone) with Ableton's built-in Roar and Limiter to create a beefy master output for a fat mixdown.

 

What's Included with this session

• 2+ hours of Ableton Certified Training Video
• Ableton Project from Class
• 2 Ableton Project Examples
• 2 Custom Expressive Chords Presets
• MIDI Bounce Max for Live Device
• Chords2Melody Max for Live Device
• 3 16th Arpeggiator Preset
• PDF with a list of free Max for Live Tools and Tutorials for Expressive Chords

 

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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.