20 minutes from class

 

Creating Instrument Racks Overview

In this workshop, we’ll explore how to create powerful and expressive Instrument Racks in Ableton Live. Instrument Racks allow you to combine instruments, effects, samples, and multiple layers into a single playable device with customized controls.

We’ll look at how to build racks from the ground up, organize complex setups using nested racks, and use the Chain Selector to switch, layer, and blend between different sounds. We’ll also explore instrument morphing, smart Macro mappings, and creative ways to generate variations without constantly rebuilding your sounds.

The goal is to create instruments that feel immediate and inspiring racks that are already prepared, easy to control, and capable of producing a wide range of sounds from just a few carefully designed controls.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll understand how to turn your favorite instruments, samples, and effects into personalized Ableton devices that are faster to use, more expressive, and uniquely your own.

How to Create Your Own Instrument Racks
Learn how Instrument Racks are structured and how to combine instruments, effects, and processing into a single customized device.

Nested Racks
Place racks inside other racks to build deeper sound-design systems, organize complex mappings, and create powerful controls that affect multiple layers at once.

Chain Selector Tricks
Use the Chain Selector to switch between instruments, layer sounds, create seamless transitions, distribute ranges, and access multiple sounds from a single Macro.

Prepared Instruments
Build ready-to-play instruments with useful effects, carefully chosen parameter ranges, balanced levels, and performance controls already in place.

Instrument Morphing
Create smooth transformations between different instruments, layers, and effects to produce evolving sounds that move far beyond a single preset.

Smart Macros
Design Macros that control multiple parameters in musical ways, including inverted mappings, restricted ranges, Device Activators, and coordinated changes across several devices.

Variation Techniques
Use Macro Variations, randomized controls, alternate chains, and strategic parameter mappings to quickly generate new versions of a sound while preserving its core character.

This session is beginner-friendly, but the concepts go deep. Whether you work with Ableton’s stock instruments, third-party plug-ins, samples, or complex layered sounds, you’ll leave with practical techniques for building Instrument Racks that are organized, expressive, performance-ready, and fun to play.

 

Botanical Kalimba

An Diatonic add 9 arpeggiated arp instrument with randomize timing for botanical sparkles. Great to add a dreamy texture to your productions.

This rack demonstrate the power of device grouping for faster workflow

 

Chemical Bass

A 303 Chemical Brothers inspired instrument (Bloc rockin beats) with one smart know that turns many different parameters. Great for use with the SQ Sequencer like shown in this video.

This rack demonstrate the power of Macro mapping and value scaling of multiple parameters to create an expressive dynamic instrument with just a few controls.

 

Drift & Wavetable Randomizers

Randomizer rack for Wavetable & Drift. Giving you a completely different glitched sound with every note press. You can disabled the randomization with the Macros if you find a sound you like and want to save it as a preset. There is also a custom Max for Live device inside the rack to allow randomization for the parameters inside Wavetable that are not randomizable by Ableton's Modulators.

This rack demonstrates the power of the Expression Control modulator for use inside racks.

 

Granular Slicer

A custom Instrument rack using the Granulator III sampler to turn it into a slicing granular sampler which can be a powerful tool to quickly come up with unique progressions.

This rack demonstrate the expansion of existing instruments into something completely new and practical for your productions.

 

Log Drum

Authentic recreation of a log drum with various sound variation. Can be used as a bass instrument and/or percussion. Great for fills! Sound Demo HERE.

This rack demonstrates the power of sound variation using Macro Presets.

 

Nuke Machine

An award winning Instrument Rack that is only using white noise from Operator with a collection of Ableton's audio effects to emulate the sound of a post apocalyptic world. As part of the workshop it is recommended to open up the rack and explore the various audio effects and their effect to the sound. Sound Demo HERE.

 

Pad Generator Live 12 Edition

Updated from the Ambient Technique workshop. This rack produces a new chord with each note played, as well as offering control over pad and bass layer volumes. The generative chord system can be toggled on or off, allowing you to seamlessly switch between generative and manual chord playing, providing flexibility in your ambient composition.

 

Side Brain's Future 303 Version 2

Updated from the Techno Fundamentals workshop this is an extremely versatile modern 303 sound with an additional layer of filthy techno distorted sub. Loaded up with the free Sting 2 Acid Sequencer.

Map to your favorite controller and hit play! Sound Demo HERE

 

Techno Chord Runs

An extensive premium rack from my personal collection that features the Rotating Rhythm Generator as the main sequencer. This rack is packed with layered synths, special effects and performance Macros that allow for expressive live techno performance with only using the Macro Controls.

This Rack Demonstrates advanced instrument rack techniques, nested racks, smart macro mappings, variation presets and more.

Check out this blog post for more info about Techno Chord Runs.

 

Chain Selector Display

Originally built for Flying Lotus live looping twitch streams, this Max for Live utility lets you see the names of the currently selected chain in a popup window great for live performances and live looping sessions when using one instrument rack to change between all your instruments.

An overview of an older version of the device can be found HERE.

 

Chords2Melody

Originally built exclusively for the Expressive Chords Workshop. This Max for Live utility allows you to play a chord and only out the lowest note, highest note or a random note from the chord (with hight priority control).

This utility can be used in instrument racks layering when some layers need to play the full chord and some layering need to play only one note out of the chord.

More info HERE,.

 

What's Included with this session

• 2+ hours of Ableton Certified Training Video
• 10 Custom Side Brain's Instrument Racks
• 2 Exclusive Max for Live Utilities
• PDF with with Advanced Instrument Rack Tips & Tricks, Max for Live Devices and Tools.

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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.