Looking for full-on commercial video tutorial courses on Ableton Live?
Here is a list of some I’ve found. For most courses lists, I’ve only seen the free demo movies for each course. In each case I thought the presenter was knowledgeable, they were good teachers, and the videos had professional production.
In the case of Nick Maxwell's tutorials, I have access to all the movies and can say they are really great if you want to go beyond using Live as a DAW and actually use Live, Simpler, Sampler, and instrument/drum racks as an "instrument".
I’ve broken my list down into two categories 1) How to Use Ableton Live and 2) Sound Design with Ableton Live. Note: I’ve revised this article to contain a third category called 3) Ableton Live Technique. This category is for miscellaneous videos to help you take your Ableton chops to the next level that are not specifically targeted at sound design.
To help you pick the tutorial that is right for you I’ve provided some high-level info for each course. Checkout the free videos, and course listings using links below.
Add your finds to this roundup by commenting on this post.
Live Explained Volume 1
http://www.grooveboxmusic.com/str/live-explained-vol-1.html
Author: Craig McCullough
Level: Beginner/Intermediate
For: Those new to Ableton Live who want an introduction to all of Live’s core features
Tutorials & Run Time: 20 Tutorials / Over 3.5 Hours
Live Version Used: Live 7
Format & Price: : Digital Download + Disc $54.99, Digital Download $49.99, 30-day Online Pass $17.99, Membership
Live Explained Volume 2
http://www.grooveboxmusic.com/str/live-explained-vol-2.html
Author: Craig McCullough
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
For: Picks up where Volume left off and covers more advanced features of Ableton Live.
Tutorials & Run Time: 20 Tutorials / Over 3.5 Hours
Live Version Used: Live 7
Format & Price: Digital Download + Disc $54.99, Digital Download $49.99, 30-day Online Pass $17.99, Membership
VTC Ableton Live 6 Tutorial
http://www.computer-training-software.com/ableton-live-6.htm
Author: Steven Smith
Level: Beginner
For: Those new to Ableton Live who want an introduction to all of Live’s core features
Tutorials & Run Time: 96 Lessons, 8 Hours
Live Version Used: Live 6
Format & Price: Disc $99.95
Released: 2007-12-13
2) SOUND DESIGN WITH ABLETON LIVE
Sound Design in Ableton Live
http://nickstutorials.com/sdacam.php
Author: Nick Maxwell
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
For: Those who want to learn radical techniques for creating everything from hard-hitting drums to complex atmospheres. Gain the knowledge to create unique, complex sounds!
Tutorials & Run Time: 5 Hours
Live Version Used: Live 7
Format & Price: Digital download or streaming video. For $7 you can get 1 and a half hours of the videos, (Developing a Sound Design Philosophy, Atmospheric Fly-by, Designing a Drum Kit, and Slicing Melodic Sounds). You will be given the option to purchase the remaining sound design videos for the $30 difference, as well as the option to upgrade to the full Megapack (both "Sound Design" and "Sampling and Slicing") for the $42.99 difference.
Sampling & Slicing with Ableton Live
http://nickstutorials.com/sas.php
Author: Nick Maxwell
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
For: A no-fluff series on creating sample-based music in Ableton Live. Learn essential tools and creative techniques with this series. Get up to speed in no time!
Tutorials & Run Time: 2 Hours
Live Version Used: Live 7
Format & Price: Digital download or streaming video. Purchase this 2 hour video series now for $25 and start learning instantly. Save 20% on your purchase of both "Sampling and Slicing in Ableton Live" and "Sound Design and Creative Audio Manipulation" through this special package deal. Get both series for $49.99!
3) Ableton Live Technique
The Ultimate Ableton Tutorials
http://www.musicsoftwaretraining.com/
Author: Jason Timothy
Level: Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced
An eclectic collection of tutorials on various Ableton Live topics. Easy to follow that even a complete beginner will be able to make great songs, remixes, mash-ups or DJ on Ableton very quickly! Offering
- Ultimate Ableton Collection #1 – $37(Download)/$59(DVD)
- Uiltimate Ableton Collection #2 – $37(Download)/$42(DVD)
- Advanced Warping Collection
- Ableton Mini-packs – $7:
- Drum kit's and Sample Mini-pack
- Drum Racks Mini-pack
- DJ Mini-pack 1 and 2
- Sampler Mini-pack
- Operator Mini-pack
Tutorials & Run Time: Varies depending on package
Live Version Used: Live 7 & 8
Format & Price: Digital download, DVD
Add your finds to this roundup by commenting on this post.
Mark Mosher
www.markmoshermusic.com
www.modulatethis.com
www.twitter.com/markmosher