Making Music with Ableton Push

Push, the hardware controller from Ableton, gives you powerful control over Live's many features and the expressive abilities to create truly musical productions. With years of experience as a producer and DJ, Ableton Live Trainer and Course Director at Producertech, Rob Jones has both a wealth of knowledge and huge experience as a presenter, making him the best person to give you a deep insight into how to put Push at the centre of your workflow.

In this comprehensive three hour course, you'll discover the massive functionality of Push. You won't just be shown how it works, instead, Rob gives a detailed tour of its many features, following the natural order you would use to make a track. Individually tackling areas including sampling, drum programming and sequencing, you'll build drum parts, create basslines and program chords and melodies - truly discovering how to use Push like an instrument. In addition, the course includes a variety of exercises that will have you drumming and playing Push like a pro.

Available 24/7/365, the course includes over three hours of videos, multiple project files and 200MB of bonus samples, courtesy of Loopmasters. Check out the trailer and sample module now, and take your first steps to mastering this tactile, music-making machine!

Sample Module: Playing Basslines with Ableton Push

Module 1 - Intro to the Course and Push

To begin, Rob gives an overview of the hardware, introducing its basic features for recording a pattern, quantising and applying effects, to show how easy it is to quickly create the fundamentals of a track.

Module 2 - Playing Loops with Simpler

In Module 2, you'll learn how to correctly import samples using Simpler, which gives you a huge range of controls for manipulation and editing, including changing the keys of clips.

Module 3 - Slicing in Beat Mode with Simpler

Next, Rob shows how to use Slice mode to rework the samples imported in the previous module and introduces the Step Sequencer.

Module 4 - Making Parts with Simpler

In this three part module, Rob comprehensively breaks down the process of creating original parts using Simpler. He edits, warps and resequences samples using multiple different approaches, with exciting results.

Module 5 - Making Drums with Simpler in 16-velocity Mode

In module 5, Rob demonstrates how to create a grooving drum loop, with precise velocity control , adding dynamics to the track.

Module 6 - Simpler Sampling Techniques Summary

In this module, Rob summarises the techniques taught in the previous section by rapidly creating a new idea, giving a recap of the range of creative possibilities available using Simpler and Push.

Module 7 - Exercises for Playing Beats Part 1

Module 7 is packed full of handy beginner exercises which will help you develop your Push pad-drumming skills. Developing good timing is the key to rhythmic success!

Module 8 - Converting Simpler to a Drum Rack

An option for slicing samples in Simpler, this module shows how and why to convert Simpler to a drum rack for added control.

Module 9 - Making Beats with Drum Racks

In the following section, Rob delves into creating drum parts using the Push, from the basics of using the Drum Rack through to more advanced editing.

Module 10 - Quick Tip - Editing all Notes for One Drum in a Rack

In this quick tip, Rob demonstrates how to edit all of the drum parameters in one go.

Module 11 Drum Rack Editing

In module 11, Rob shows you how to edit and mix the drums, making them punchy, tight and powerful; and shows you how to avoid some simple mistakes. You'll also see how to audition and swap out individual drums for factory samples, or your own.

Module 12 - Exercises for Playing Beats Part 2

Continuing from the last finger-drumming module, Rob builds up to a variety of realistic drum patterns, steadily increasing the complexity and showing you how to improvise on the fly.

Module 13 - Creating Basslines

Module 13 covers creating basslines with Push. With extremely detailed demonstrations on both sequencing and playing in, you'll be making powerful basslines for a range of genres in no time.

Module 14 - Creating Melodies

Continuing using the pads, this section on melodies and chords starts with a musical introduction to playing over the bass part form the previous module. Next, you'll learn how to use the note sequencer to create and edit tasty and exciting patterns.

Module 15 - Exercises for Playing Rhythmic Lead Lines

In the third 'exercises' module, Rob demonstrates some more advanced playing techniques focused on melodic parts, rather than rhythmic parts. By applying the same techniques, you'll learn how to play fast and exciting melodic sequences efficiently and easily, as well as understanding the music theory behind them.

Module 16 - Session and Arrangement Modes

In module 16, you'll learn how to arrange your track using the Push. Starting with Session Mode, you'll be shown how to sketch out a track and organise your session intelligently, and Arrangement Mode, where you can record your track into the timeline window.

Module 17 - Automation 

In this module, you'll be shown how to create automation using the Push, which gives you an excellent degree of control which can be lacking when using just the software. Rob demonstrates how you can add precise an detailed automation, which really improves the intensity and quality of your tracks.

Module 18 - Sound Design Workflow Example: DnB Bass Patch

In the penultimate module, Rob demonstrates a real workflow for creating a Drum & Bass patch, using only Live's built in instruments and FX. This module gives a valuable insight into how an experienced producer develops the fundamentals of a track.

Module 19 - Outro

In the final module, Rob summarises what you've learnt in this detailed and comprehensive course.