First 20 minutes from class

 

MIDI Effects Exploration Overview

Ableton Live's MIDI Effects are some of the most powerful yet underrated tools for transforming simple ideas into musical pieces and spark creativity and inspiration. In this session, we’ll uncover the full creative potential of these devices from sequencing melodies to manipulating note-offs, building generative textures, layered instruments and chord progressions.

Whether you’re creating dancefloor rhythms, glitchy textures, ambient layers, or expressive performance setups, this session will open up a whole new world of possibility using only MIDI.

You’ll walk away with practical workflows, exclusive Max for Live devices, and techniques that can reshape your approach to composition and performance inside Live.

What You'll Learn:

• How to MIDI Effects: Understand the flow and order of Ableton's MIDI effects, and how to chain them for creative transformations.

• Arpeggiator & Step Arp: Go beyond basics with advanced arpeggiator tricks, rhythmic patterns, and step-based sequencing for melodic and harmonic material.

• Ableton’s Sequencers: Explore native and Max for Live sequencers to generate grooves, variations, and evolving musical ideas with precision.

• Creative MIDI Effect Racks: Build and use MIDI Effect Racks that push your ideas further for live playing and produced material.

• Note-Offs & Prepared Instruments: Learn how to use Note-Off messages creatively for triggering FX, and prepared instrument behaviors.

• Expression Control: Map and modulate parameters in expressive ways using expression controls like velocity.

• Random Techniques: Discover powerful methods of controlled chaos using Random, Scale, Velocity and more to create evolving, generative patches.

No prior music theory knowledge required.
Perfect for producers, composers, and performers ready to dive deep into Ableton Live’s MIDI Effects and discover new ways to generate, transform, and manipulate MIDI in real time. Whether you're writing melodies, triggering instruments, or building entire sequences, this session will show you how to harness the full creative power of Live’s MIDI devices.

 

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 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 MIDI 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 for live playing or production/sound design.

 

Sustain Pedal to Kick Pedal 

A max for live utility to turn your Sustain pedal into a kick pedal. You can change the note out and velocity. Great for playing drum plugins and getting a kick drum feel from your MIDI pedal.

 

Diatonic Chord Generator

With Ableton Live's new key awareness system the change of interval handling in MIDI effects like the Chord can be confusing. This rack makes it easier to explore chord construction with a dedicated macro for each voice of the chord. Build full lush chords with ease in the key of your selected global scale.

 

EDM Chord Voicing Rack

A MIDI Effect rack that instantly create an EDM feel good chord voicing (+ Melody). Check out an audio demo HERE,

 

Fantasy Arps

A unique chord run combining multiple rhythms of arpeggiation. Demo HERE

 

Harp Glissando

Originally created for the LA Beats (Flying Lotus) workshop. This rack can create ritardando arp runs that works great for harps or other pluck sounds. Demo HERE

 

Techno Chord Runs

A complete knob instrument, meant to be played by turning knobs/encoders. Featuring a unique sequencing section using the Rotating Rhythm Generator from the CV Tools Pack.

Demo Here.

 

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 shows in this video.

 

Binary FX

Taken from the Chill Electronica workshop. This collection of 4 effects is an amazing companion to any synth sound to add interest and depth.

 

What's Included with this session

• 2+ hours of Ableton Certified Training Video
• MIDI Bounce Max for Live Device
• Chords2Melody Max for Live Device
• Sustain Pedal to Kick Pedal Max for Live Device
• Diatonic Chord Generator MIDI Effect Rack
• EDM Chord Voicing MIDI Effect Rack
• Fantasy Arps MIDI Effect Rack
• Harp Glissando MIDI Effect Rack
• Techno Chord Runs Instrument Rack
• Chemical Bass Instrument Rack
• Ambient Chord Generator Instrument Rack
• Binary FX Audio Effects Racks
• PDF with a list of the best free Max for Live Sequencers and Utilities

 

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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.