Check this out … Ableton users.  Download 1.2G of stuff …

Here is the detail from Ableton … http://www.ableton.com/partner-instrument-compilation

As usual, Peter Kirn of Create Digital Music has more detail on this topic … http://createdigitalmusic.com/2010/07/26/ableton-users-grab-gigs-of-custom-instruments-for-free/

Have fun.

MG

Kararoke … and video … and a sing-along.  That is what we’ve created and we’ve been hosting parties with our friends.

I guess the difference between karaoke and a sing-along is that karaoke has no lead vocal track or singer.   Karaoke has evolved as technology has evolved … sing-alongs have been around sing the beginning of time.  We’ve used karaoke technology and video technology and music production tools to make a modern day sing-along.  The modern day music production software is Ableton Live. The karaoke technology is the KaraFun Editor.   We attached the words to the original video or audio file … using the KaraFun Editor.  We have to convert the windows media file (WMV) to MP4 for playing in Ableton. From here, the party begins and we can all sing together.

Here is a sample of the video I’ve been using in Ableton Live.

We project the video on a large screen tv or projector. We connect the audio to a professional sound system … with lots of power.

Have fun!
MarshallG

PS … if you are curious about the numbers mixed in with the words … those are the chords.  We use the Nashvile Number System … so that we can play the song in any key.

Here is a first for me … during a live performance … play the computer like an instrument.  In this video watch how I punch in and punch out using the Launchpad.  This is a live show and the breaks are initiated by me … watch the Launchad.

The beauty of this approach is that you don’t have to pre-program the song. You can add or delete parts as needed. You can start and stop as needed.  Much like any other instrument.  This is my first live performance using this technique. I hope to be using this a lot more.

What do you think? I love to here your experiences with Ableton and the Launchpad.

Sincerely,
MarshallG

Here is how I used Ableton Live recently. Getting more comfortable starting and stopping the loop … during the performance.

What you will be seeing …

1. At the beginning of the video, the loop is currently running.
2. I stopping the loop as the song is ending.
3. I setup the next scene and push the scene button … because it is a new tempo.
4. The loop is started, for one measure, and the band comes in.

See if you can follow what’s happening.

As I’ve said before, I’ve been using loops live every week for several months now. BUT the new stuff is starting the stopping the loop … real-time.

The other musicians love how the loops setup the feel of the song … and everything starts in the right place.

Doing about two events each week now. Ableton is awesome and I’m adding tricks every week.

Now … confession time … I’m not really DJing. What I’m doing is a combination of DJ and karaoke and video. Coming soon … I’ll be adding video to show my setup.   I use the arrangement view in Ableton and project video on TVs or projectors. The videos are a combination of live video and text OR karaoke style words over pictures.

At the events, people sing along and watch the videos. It is not solo karaoke performances but a sing-along. [you don't have to suffer through a lot of bad singers] The songs are taylored to the audience and what they know. Each event lasts about an hour or more … and the feedback from the audience has been great.  This is a performance with audience participation.

The videos are created using karaoke software.  If I can find a video I put words over the video.  If I can’t find a video I put words over pictures or just blank backgrounds.  I trigger each song with my Launchpad.  My DJ techniques are very basic … usually full songs and simple crossfades. Just starting to use multiple tracks and overlaying sounds and video.

Any tips and ideas are appreciated.

MG

Want a cheap way to start with Ableton Live?

Buy Ableton Live Intro!  I have been using Ableton for live performance for the last 6 months. We play live with it every week. As I reviewed the differences between the full version and the intro version, the only issues I would have with the Intro version right now is … 2 stereo outputs and video input/output.

The two stereo outputs could be worked around by panning for to create 4 output channels … issue solved.

The second issue … video input/output …  would be a show stopper for me.  We use video for all the time. For most people this is not an issue. Consider using this to get started. You will be able to do lots of stuff before you hit the limits of the Intro product.  And it only costs $99 dollars at amazon.com … you can’t lose with this.  

Consider using Ableton Live Intro … the feature comparison chart is listed below. 

BUY IT NOW … at amazon.com … if you click on this link, amazon will give me credit for recomending the product to you. If this recommendation has been helpful to you, please click the link. I appreciate it.

Here is the feature comparison chart … http://www.ableton.com/pages/live_8/comparison_chart/live_intro

Did you know Ableton Live is used by Gary Long on American Idol?  Gary Long is the sound producer on the show.  He’s been in the business since 1978 and a big fan of Ableton. 

Gary says “I don’t know how I’d be doing these shows … like American Idol … without Ableton Live. That’s not hype, that’s the truth.”

I watch the show with my kids every week and had no idea that the sound is produced from Ableton.  This is very cool.   If anyone know what MIDI controller he is using in the video … let me know. 

See the video and see how he does the intro for American Idol … http://www.ableton.com/movies?type=artist&movie=gary_long&autostart=y

MIDI Controllers come in many shapes and sizes. Traditionally, keyboard players were doing all the MIDI stuff. Then drummers and guitar players joined the party. The most common MIDI controllers continue to be various sizes of “piano” keyboard.

We could start a huge debate here over what is the best controller. Today, I want to start a smaller debate over the best controller for Ableton Live. The two most popular devices are the Novation Launchpad and the Akai APC40. [If you know of other specifically created with Ableton Live in mind ... let me know]

These two controllers are specifically for Ableton Live but very different in their design. Craig Anderton gives a great review and comparison of the two controllers at http://www.harmony-central.com/articles/tips/launchpad/. Check it out.

 For me, I prefer the Novation Launchpad. It is simple and easy to setup and use. It does not have knobs but they have accommodated for this in some very cool ways. Also … the price is right.  Here is a picture.

I have been using the Launchpad since it come out in Nov 2009 and I love it. I guess I was just lucky or the something, but it was the first controller I’ve bought or considered buying in 10 years.  When I saw Ableton and this controller, I instantly knew this would be incredible … AND IT HAS.

What is your opinion?

Sincerely,
Marshall

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.

Check this out … the author of Ableton Live 8 Power!: The Comprehensive Guide … Jon Margulies is doing a daily tip on Ableton.  For the year of 2010, he is writing a tip a day.  I’ve already found some cool stuff to explore.

To find the tips …. click here … http://www.heatercore.net/2010/01/365-ableton-live-tips-.html

Marshall