In this Ableton Live 9 tutorial we look at a method for creating rhythms perfect for bass lines, melodies, percussion patterns and hi hats.
I’m using a deep underground base sound in this tutorial which lends itself to Techno and Tech House music.
This technique is very fast to use and we simply choose a word or a short phrase and use the syllables in order to extract our rhythm. One of the great things about this technique is that we will all most likely come up with different results.
I start, rather predictably, with the two words Quantize Courses. The syllables are evenly spaced (Quan-tize-cour-ses) so we get a very rigid pattern. However, we still have the choice to use it over a half bar or full bar.
Next is perhaps the most subjective part of the process; assigning pitches to each syllable. I have chosen to do this by the weight of each syllable, with heavier sounds becoming lower notes. I stuck with the key of G Minor in this Ableton Lesson as it’s sombre sound lends itself to darker and deeper genres.
The result over half a bar is a nice pulsing Techno bass line and over a full bar a bouncy Minimal Techno bass line.
Next up we try the phrase “Finish MORE Music’. I snuck this one in on purpose as it’s the name of the new membership site we are working on. I’m super excited about this as it’s a community I believe will make a huge difference to so many producers lives. If you are struggling to finish the number of tracks you really want to, be sure to keep your eyes firmly on Quantize!!…/
‘Finish More Music’ generates a more complex rhythm for us to work with and this results in a jerky groove that is perfect for Tech House.
One extra tip for this technique, be sure to listen to some of your favourite tracks before you try this. It will help you to shape the rhythms you hear to fit well in the genre of your choice.
Have fun with this I thoroughly enjoyed making the video!
The next Ableton Live tutorial will be posted at the same time next week.
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