First 20 minutes from class

 

LA Beats Teebs Style Overview

In this session, we continue our LA Beats series by exploring the softer, more impressionistic side of the Los Angeles beat scene through the music of Teebs. Known for his work on Brainfeeder and his deep roots in the Low End Theory era, Teebs represents a uniquely delicate, textural approach to beat making.

Where Flying Lotus pushes complexity and intensity, Teebs leans into subtlety, space, and emotion. His music feels hand crafted and alive, built from samples, loose rhythms, airy foley, and reverbs that bloom and fade like watercolor. The result is music that drifts, breathes, and constantly evolves.

In this workshop, we focus on translating that aesthetic into Ableton Live, learning how to create beats that feel intimate, organic, and expressive without relying on density or loudness.

1. How to LA Beats Teebs Style

• Understanding the Aesthetic
• Learn what defines the Teebs sound and how it fits into the LA beat scene.
• From Texture to Emotion
• Turn abstract textures and fragments into cohesive, musical ideas.

2. Textural Beat Foundations

• Soft Beat Design
• Create drums that support the music rather than dominate it.
• Imperfect Timing
• Use subtle micro timing and looseness to keep grooves feeling human.

3. Loose Drum Programming

• Gentle Groove Construction
• Build rhythms that float instead of punch.
• Shape feel and movement using dynamics rather than complexity.

4. Sample Layering as Composition

• Create Atmosphere
• Stack small, imperfect samples to create depth and motion.
• Organic Collage Techniques
• Blend melodic fragments, noise, and tonal textures into a unified palette.

5. Reverb as Color

• Spatial Storytelling
• Use reverb not just for space, but as an emotional tool.
• Bloom and Decay
• Shape tails and movement so reverbs feel alive and evolving.

6. Harp Glissandos and Gentle Melodic Motion

• Fluid Harmonic Movement
• Create gliding, cascading gestures that add softness and flow.
• Expressive MIDI Techniques
• Use note overlap, timing, and automation for natural phrasing.

7. African Percussion and Shakers

• Subtle Rhythmic Detail
• Layer hand percussion to add motion without clutter.
• Natural Groove Integration
• Blend organic rhythms into electronic beats seamlessly.

8. Imperfect Looping and Movement

• Loops That Drift
• Avoid static repetition by introducing variation and instability.
• Humanizing Repetition
• Use modulation, clip offsets, and automation to keep loops evolving.

This workshop is for all levels, whether you’re new to Ableton or looking to refine your sound. You’ll leave with practical techniques for creating textured, emotional beats that feel personal, organic, and unmistakably LA.

 

Project from Class

Follow along with everything we did in class. Sample digging editing, Mixing, Texture layering, laser & FX, drum programming and much more

 

A circle of fifths companion to easily find the realitve keys of samples to know how to transpose them to make Major and Minor scales fit together.

 

Sub Instrument Rack

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

 

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

Instrument rack using the freek Etherealwinds Harp (Sfz) inside the Sforzando Sampler (also free) 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

 

Better Default Limiter Preset

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

Simply drop down the threshold to taste. For quicker workflow right click on the devices title and choose "Save as Default Preset"

 

What's Included with this session

• 2+ hours of Ableton Certified Training Video
• Ableton Teebs Style Project
• Compressor from Live 8 for Clean Side Chaining
• Sub Bass Instrument Rack + Lead Instrument Rack (from the Wavetable Presets Vol. 1 Pack)
• Relative Keys Max for Live Companion
• Harp Glissando MIDI Effect Rack
• PDF with a list of Sample Packs, Free Plugins, Max for Live and Create Digging Websites

 

---

 

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.