1. Endless Possibilities
Ableton Live is a real step forward in music performance and creation. It is technology that puts real power in the hands of common people, like you and I. Most DJ setups are based on older technologies … and some very cool technics have been developed from this history. But to make real progress, we must take what is good with the old styles and apply them to what is new. Ableton Live is able to do that. The possibiliites are endless and you will see how we can take the older DJ technics and apply them to a new platform that expands our horizons. Do not limit yourself by old technologies
2. Multiple Channels
Why limit yourself to a crossfader? This was a real revelation for me. A crossfader is based on old technology and the idea of two channels. When I first realized this, the other DJs were talking about “verticals”. At first, I did not know what they were talking about. Verticals was referring to the vertical faders I had available on my mixer. This opened the world of possibilities. In the digital world, channels are essentially free. Why limit your mixes to 2 channels when you can mix 4-6-8, or more, channels together for an incredible mix. This is a real benefit to Ableton as a DJ mixing platform.
3. Effects Processing
Another benefit to using Ableton as a mixing platform, is the effect processing. You can take a standard loop and apply signal processing to completely change the texture and character of your loop. For example, start a beat everyone knows and then create and apply signal processing to enhance and take the beat to a new level. With Ableton Live, you can do this in real-time [on the fly].
4. Beat Matching and Pitch Control
For some, beat matching is a part of the art of Djing. With Ableton Live, beat matching is automated to allow you to focus on other things. The beat matching is not perfect but is automated to a point where you can spend your time on other elements of the performance.
Pitch control is also very easy to use … although not automated. In the digital world, you have to use your ear less to tune things and this is a good thing for those whodo not have the best ear for pitches.
5. Remixes on the Fly
Create your own version of the song … on the fly and just for your audience. For me, I have been a musician for a long time and this type of improvisation reminds me of the great jazz musicians. With Ableton, a new frontier has opened up for us to … learn our instrument … and improvise on the fly. Create remixes by reworking song structures and mashing up beats and adding sounds from different tracks.
BONUS …
the Novation Launchpad and Ableton Live enables you to actually perform as a part of your DJ setup. With the colorful display, clip selection, volume control and panning … you can make many new and interesting mixes … on the fly.
