Uploaded March 2017 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Check out my Ableton Course ➡ Enroll Now maryspendermasterclass.teachable.com/p/how-to-produce-music-in-ableton-live
➡ My Instagram - @rachelkcollier
➡ For more production and Ableton stuff - patreon.com/rachelkcollier
➡ Sign up to my mailing list for Ableton Learning Updates rachelkcollier.com
Affiliate Studio Gear Links (EU) ➡
➡ My Gear Page - https://redir.love/thocf/55467qejg3
Affiliate Studio Gear Links (US) ➡
➡ Arturia Minibrute -imp.i114863.net/WDqx0P
➡ Korg KING - imp.i114863.net/yR2noV
➡ Ableton Push 2 - imp.i114863.net/c/2252739/944115/11319
➡ Akai LPD8 - imp.i114863.net/c/2252739/937020/11319?prodsku=LPD8&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sweetwater.com%2Fstore%2Fdetail%2FLPD8--akai-professional-lpd8-mini-pad-controller&intsrc=PUI2_7338
➡ MiniLab MK2 - imp.i114863.net/c/2252739/937020/11319?prodsku=MiniLabMk2&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sweetwater.com%2Fstore%2Fdetail%2FMiniLabMk2--arturia-minilab-mkii-25-slim-key-controller&intsrc=PUI2_7338
➡ Vocal Mic - Shure SM7B - imp.i114863.net/c/2252739/937020/11319?prodsku=SM7B&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sweetwater.com%2Fstore%2Fdetail%2FSM7B--shure-sm7b-cardioid-dynamic-vocal-microphone&intsrc=PUI2_7338
➡ Interface - RME Fireface UC - imp.i114863.net/c/2252739/937020/11319?prodsku=FirefaceUC&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sweetwater.com%2Fstore%2Fdetail%2FFirefaceUC--rme-fireface-uc-usb-audio-interface&intsrc=PUI2_7338
All these and a combination of pre-made clips as well as clips made on-the-fly make up the accompaniment, with the clips triggered, duplicated, sliced and looped live with Ableton Push 2.
I gave my brain a solid workout for a couple of days, taking the original production project from Arrange to Session mode in Ableton, then another week of fun but intense rehearsals (broken up with the occasional game of Tetris!) preparing for the live shoot.
I grouped some effects for the master channel, which are MIDI-mapped to the Akai LPD8, and for the lead vocal I use three sends - two ping-pong delays and a reverb - which are also mapped to the LPD8, so I can apply the effects easily throughout the performance. I use only Ableton effects for my live performances as a lot of other third party plugins I've tried tend to cause latency.
My favourite effect is the Max for Live tapped delay, combined with a reverb and gain to build a climax before the final drop, but I also loved mapping the Max for Live pitch drop - it's super clever as you can activate a pitch drop but it still keeps everything running in time. "With the Arturia Minilab on my right I'm playing a sample I made from my vocal and also triggering the 'paper tiger' spoken sample, which is set to zero quantisation so it plays whenever you hit it, like a drum pad.
For the vocals I'm using a Shure SM7B mic, which is great for dynamics and also avoiding spill from my headphones (which are Studiospares M1000s).
Hope you enjoy watching as much as I enjoyed making it! :)
Shot and Edited by the awesome Danny Iacovou
Special thanks to Roman, Tom and Ling for helping out with the shoot
and my amazing manager Ben for supporting all my crazy ideas and making stuff happen!
Huge thanks thanks to Ableton for supporting this project!!!!!
and also Arturia France! :)
#RachelKCollier #Ableton #MusicProducer #RKC
Check out my Ableton Course ➡ Enroll Now maryspendermasterclass.teachable.com/p/how-to-produce-music-in-ableton-live
➡ My Instagram - @rachelkcollier
➡ For more production and Ableton stuff - patreon.com/rachelkcollier
➡ Sign up to my mailing list for Ableton Learning Updates rachelkcollier.com
Affiliate Studio Gear Links (EU) ➡
➡ My Gear Page - https://redir.love/thocf/55467qejg3
Affiliate Studio Gear Links (US) ➡
➡ Arturia Minibrute -imp.i114863.net/WDqx0P
➡ Korg KING - imp.i114863.net/yR2noV
➡ Ableton Push 2 - imp.i114863.net/c/2252739/944115/11319
➡ Akai LPD8 - imp.i114863.net/c/2252739/937020/11319?prodsku=LPD8&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sweetwater.com%2Fstore%2Fdetail%2FLPD8--akai-professional-lpd8-mini-pad-controller&intsrc=PUI2_7338
➡ MiniLab MK2 - imp.i114863.net/c/2252739/937020/11319?prodsku=MiniLabMk2&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sweetwater.com%2Fstore%2Fdetail%2FMiniLabMk2--arturia-minilab-mkii-25-slim-key-controller&intsrc=PUI2_7338
➡ Vocal Mic - Shure SM7B - imp.i114863.net/c/2252739/937020/11319?prodsku=SM7B&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sweetwater.com%2Fstore%2Fdetail%2FSM7B--shure-sm7b-cardioid-dynamic-vocal-microphone&intsrc=PUI2_7338
➡ Interface - RME Fireface UC - imp.i114863.net/c/2252739/937020/11319?prodsku=FirefaceUC&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sweetwater.com%2Fstore%2Fdetail%2FFirefaceUC--rme-fireface-uc-usb-audio-interface&intsrc=PUI2_7338
All these and a combination of pre-made clips as well as clips made on-the-fly make up the accompaniment, with the clips triggered, duplicated, sliced and looped live with Ableton Push 2.
I gave my brain a solid workout for a couple of days, taking the original production project from Arrange to Session mode in Ableton, then another week of fun but intense rehearsals (broken up with the occasional game of Tetris!) preparing for the live shoot.
I grouped some effects for the master channel, which are MIDI-mapped to the Akai LPD8, and for the lead vocal I use three sends - two ping-pong delays and a reverb - which are also mapped to the LPD8, so I can apply the effects easily throughout the performance. I use only Ableton effects for my live performances as a lot of other third party plugins I've tried tend to cause latency.
My favourite effect is the Max for Live tapped delay, combined with a reverb and gain to build a climax before the final drop, but I also loved mapping the Max for Live pitch drop - it's super clever as you can activate a pitch drop but it still keeps everything running in time. "With the Arturia Minilab on my right I'm playing a sample I made from my vocal and also triggering the 'paper tiger' spoken sample, which is set to zero quantisation so it plays whenever you hit it, like a drum pad.
For the vocals I'm using a Shure SM7B mic, which is great for dynamics and also avoiding spill from my headphones (which are Studiospares M1000s).
Hope you enjoy watching as much as I enjoyed making it! :)
Shot and Edited by the awesome Danny Iacovou
Special thanks to Roman, Tom and Ling for helping out with the shoot
and my amazing manager Ben for supporting all my crazy ideas and making stuff happen!
Huge thanks thanks to Ableton for supporting this project!!!!!
and also Arturia France! :)
#RachelKCollier #Ableton #MusicProducer #RKC
