In this second video tutorial on trap drum programming we’re going to explore MIDI processing in Logic’s environment to control the hi hats in our pattern. We’ll be using Logic’s transformer object in the environment to split each MIDI note apart and process them separately in Logic’s environment.  Once the notes are split apart, we will then send those signals to different arpeggiator objects which are set to different patterns. This will allow us to hold down one note to play a 1/16th note hihat roll and another note to play 1/32nd notes.  We’re also going to add similar processing for the snares and aslo add pitch control via the modulation wheel on your MIDI controller. – Matt Shadetek

For further exploration of Logic check out Dubspot’s six-level Logic Pro Producer program, designed by Matt Shadetek:

Master Logic with our complete program of courses culminating in a four-track EP ready for release. In addition to achieving a complete overview of the composition process in Logic you’ll also earn the Dubspot Producer’s Certificate in Logic Pro. After completing this program, you will leave with a new EP, a remix entered in an active remix contest, and a scored commercial to widen your scope.

What’s Included

• Logic Pro Level 1: Shake Hands with Logic
• Logic Pro Level 2: Completing Your First Track
• Logic Pro Level 3: Mixing Essentials
• Logic Pro Level 4: Sound Design & Instrumentation
• Logic Pro Level 5: Advanced Composition & Production
• Logic Pro Level 6: Taking Your EP Global

Music Production with Logic Pro classes just started; sign-up today!

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In this video, Dubspot students talk about their experiences participating in our 3-month intensive Ableton Live Producer Certificate Program in which students learn how to create, record, produce, and perform music using Ableton Live. The students discuss their individual background, how they discovered Dubspot and what they’ve learned from our talented and versatile instructors DJ Kiva, Jon Margulies, and Adam Partridge.

This program is about learning Ableton Live by going through the entire process of being an artist, by developing your own sound through a series of sketches and experimentation. You will also learn the ins and outs of this powerful software through a series of exercises designed to help you master the steps involved in producing your own music. After a level of getting familiar with the tools that Ableton has to offer, you will then develop your sonic ideas into full length songs – one per level. You will be exposed to a variety of approaches to arrangement and composition, storytelling techniques, ways of creating tension and drama in your music. At the end of the day, it is the sum total of your choices as an artist that define your sound, and levels 2 – 6 will give you the experience of actually completing tracks to add to your portfolio.

Our music production program is custom-tailored to fit your musical style. You can choose from several Digital Audio Workstations including Ableton Live, Logic Pro, or Propellerhead’s Reason.

After completing this program, you will leave with 4 completed tracks (EP), a remix entered in an active contest, a scored commercial to widen your scope, and the Dubspot Producer’s Certificate in Ableton Live.

What’s Included:

• Ableton Live Level 1: Shake Hands with Live
• Ableton Live Level 2: Completing Your First Track
• Ableton Live Level 3: Production Essentials
• Ableton Live Level 4: Sound Design & Instrumentation
• Ableton Live Level 5: Advanced Composition & Production
• Ableton Live Level 6: Taking Your EP Global

“So far the experience through Dubspot is incredible, and I can’t wait to go through the next levels. It’s just getting better each week, and I can not wait to start putting an EP together, not just being able to put a successful track together!” - Dan Carter, United Kingdom

Start dates and information about payment plans can be found here.

Or if you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

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To get started, I always find it helpful to sequence the kick part I’m making the sound for. This way, we’re tailoring the sound specifically to its musical part. Many of the parameters, such as envelope times, can be set more precisely and carry the song better. Remember that the pitch you play for the sequence should be the pitch you envision for the tail of the drum. Next, get the amplitude envelope in order. Let your taste, as well as the music dictate how long it takes for the sound to decay, and whether or not you’d like it to sustain. After the drum is fitting rhythmically, we can go buck wild with adding the punchy transient that will help the sound cut through a mix. – Evan Sutton

Related Dubspot Courses:

Become fluent in the language of sound design with this comprehensive program. This six-level Sound Design program uses Native Instruments’ Komplete as a platform for learning synthesis and sampling techniques. Starting with an introduction to the properties of sound, this comprehensive series of courses covers most common synthesis methods available for music production in the DAW of your choice.

Discovering the right sound is like finding a needle in the digital haystack. Learn the fundamentals to make this easier, and gain the depth of knowledge to make a good sound better. Factory content is great, but everyone has it – your mix needs something special.

Upcoming Sound Design Courses Starting in New York City and ONLINE:

April 30, 2013 in NYC – Tuesdays, Thursdays, 6:15-9pm
May 1, 2013 in NYC – Wednesdays, Fridays, 3:15-6pm
The week of April 21, 2013 ONLINE
The week of July 21, 2013 ONLINE

What’s Included:

• Sound Design Level 1: Introduction to Komplete 8
  
• Sound Design Level 2: Synthesis with Massive, FM8 and Absynth
• Sound Design Level 3: Sampling with Kontakt and Battery
• Sound Design Level 4: Advanced Sound Design
• Sound Design Level 5: Reaktor Ensembles and Instruments
• Sound Design Level 6: Reaktor Programming

Start dates and information about payment plans can be found here.

Or if you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

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conTRAPtion opens up new directions in trap music production! This VST is guaranteed to meet the demands of today’s DJs and trapaholics everywhere.

Load any song you want and after a brief analysis conTRAPtion slows down the tempo, rolls off the low end and adds distorted 808 kicks. Then it adds syncopated hi-hats alternating between 1/8th-note and 1/16th-note patterns. The final layer is classic trap sounds like gun shots, air horns, explosions, and of course “Damn Son, Where’d You Find This?”

conTRAPtion has multiple settings. If you want a subtle track spin on it, simply apply the first setting SWAG.

If SWAG isn’t cutting it and you need to get more hard in the paint, that’s what TURNT UP is for.

The next setting, MAYBACH MUSIC, adds flair, snares, and track IDs. And when there’s no turning back and you need to turn the trap up to 11, simply apply “Damn Son, Where’d You Find This?”

conTRAPtion also has a “chopped and screwed” feature, simply flip the CHOPPED & SCREWED switch to apply the effect.

And if anyone asks you “Damn son, where’d you find this?” you can tell them that Chris Petti told you.

Music Production w/ Ableton Live

NYC COURSES

Morning Classes: April 29, 2013; Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri, 10:15am-1pm

Evening Classes: May 1, 2013; Wednesdays and Fridays, 6:15pm-9pm

Weekend Classes: June 2, 2013; Sundays, 1:00-6pm

ONLINE COURSES in session with seats still available. Register today!

From the studio to the stage, learn to use Ableton Live to create, record, produce, and perform your music. Learn about linear and improvisational styles of producing electronic music as we help you master the software’s innovative interface. After completing this program, you will leave with four completed tracks (an EP), a remix entered in an active contest, a scored commercial to widen your scope, and the Dubspot Producer’s Certificate in Ableton Live.

What’s Included:

• Ableton Live Level 1: Shake Hands with Live
• Ableton Live Level 2: Completing Your First Track
• Ableton Live Level 3: Production Essentials
• Ableton Live Level 4: Sound Design & Instrumentation
• Ableton Live Level 5: Advanced Composition & Production
• Ableton Live Level 6: Taking Your EP Global

“So far the experience through Dubspot is incredible, and I can’t wait to go through the next levels. It’s just getting better each week, and I can not wait to start putting an EP together, not just being able to put a successful track together!”- Dan Carter, United Kingdom

Start dates and information about payment plans can be found here. Or if you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

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Ink Eyes // NYC

Ink Eyes is the collaborative project of bright young minds Trevor Coleman, Brad DeSalvo and Julian Lamb. Their shared passion for bass music and production led them to start working together, their styles meshing to create an original sound and approach. Borrowing influences from artists such as Borgore, Document One and Helicopter Showdown, Ink Eyes blends the melodic with the heavy, fusing complex musicality with accessible danceability. Keep your eyes peeled and your ears open, Ink Eyes is not music to be ignored.

“Dubspot is more than a school, it’s an environment, a family. You don’t go there to sit and listen to a teacher drone on and on, you go to grow as an artist. Every time you walk into the building, you get a sense of ‘wow, this is the future.’” – Ink Eyes

Electro Khaki // Warsaw, Poland

Electro Khaki is the production moniker of Andrzej Pieszak, a classically-trained musician, composer and producer based in Warsaw, Poland. With wide-ranging stylistic influences from hip hop and jazz to house and breakbeat and enviable production credits under his belt (as in-house producer for the acclaimed Polish synth pop group Furia Futrzakow), Andrzej makes infectious and grooving dance tracks. He’s signed to Hero-In Music and is constantly remixing other artists and producing for his synth pop duo Fury of the Furries as well.

“I really got to know my production tools, met amazing people, charged my creative batteries and did it in the most inspiring environment possible–New York City. So, if you have an opportunity to come to Dubspot–do it!” – Andrzej Pieszak

Bertioga // NYC via São Paulo, Brazil

Juliana Pastoriza relocated to New York City from São Paulo in 2010 to further her graphic design career. She also developed a passion for deep bass music and dubstep, which she would listen to on headphones while she worked on designs. After immersing herself in the city’s growing underground bass music scene, she enrolled at Dubspot and took courses in Ableton Live, sound design, and DJing. Under the name Bertioga, Juliana serves up deep, rolling bass music at clubs and parties in New York and São Paulo. Listen to a couple of her recent remixes below and look out for the debut EP later this summer.

“Never before have I been so motivated and productive, or surrounded by so much talent, or felt this strongly about a community.” – Juliana Pastoriza

Tree Star Moon // Arlington, VA

In 2012, nineteen-year-old electronic musician and producer David Martell moved to New York City from Arlington, Virginia to study music production and mixing at Dubspot and further his composition and production skills. By the end of that year, Martell was producing advanced electronic dance tracks under the name Tree Star Moon, melding heavy bass and dubstep with ambient soundscapes and post-rock pastiche. One of his his tracks, “Surfing on the Clouds,” was released on LUNGR, the label owned and operated by Travis Richter (and also featured on last year’s Dubspot Holiday Compilation), and he’ll have a new EP coming out this April.

“Dubspot’s Music Production with Ableton Live and Mixing & Mastering courses gave me the means by which I could translate all the ideas in my head into music. I wanted to combine ambient soundscapes, post-rock, and acoustic music with heavy bass and dubstep elements. I didn’t have the production skills at the time, but Dubspot gave them to me. I learned so much and it helped more than I can even begin to explain. It gave me the foundation that I needed and opened so many doors for me.” – David Martell

Conrad Wittkop // Montreal via Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Montreal-based DJ/producer Conrad Wittkop was born and raised in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He played drums and guitars in various bands as a teen until he caught the electronic music bug and started sneaking into clubs and immersing himself in club and dance music culture. Ever since first getting involved with the scene, Conrad has been fascinated with the art of the DJ, seamlessly blending together a stream of continuous music and creating a communal space where people can let go.

He’s had the opportunity to open shows for world-renowned artists such as David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia, Avicii, Tiesto, Erick Morillo, Bob Sinclar, Britney Spears, Pitbull, LMFAO and many others. Check out his latest DJ mix on SoundCloud:

“I studied Music Production with Ableton Live and Mixing & Mastering at Dubspot. I was so happy when I found the school! They really gave me a great understanding of the program and how electronic music works in general. Classes are well-paced and the instructors are very knowledgeable and experienced. I just loved the cool creative vibe there and the very nice people.  Who doesn’t love New York City? Can’t wait to be back.” – Conrad Wittkop

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Scripts are used to customize the way an instrument plays. In the factory library, the data involving the fancy Performance View is all created using Scripts. Many of the Scripts in the factory instruments let us customize how the instrument interprets incoming MIDI data. This is the area we’ll focus on in this tutorial.

To program scripts from scratch would take quite a bit of commitment and practice. Lucky for us, there are built in factory scripts that we can load up and customize. Many users will notice that the Scripts we talk about in this tutorial are not unlike Ableton Live’s beloved MIDI effects. What’s more is that just like Live’s MIDI effects, Kontakt Scripts work together and can communicate with one another, opening up a vast modular world.

Other scripts let us customize a sampler instrument and add features much like we’d expect to see on a synthesizer. No matter what the role of the Scripts, they can be used to take a solid instrument and make it perform in new and different ways. – Evan Sutton

Related Dubspot Courses:

Become fluent in the language of sound design with this comprehensive program. This six-level Sound Design program uses Native Instruments’ Komplete as a platform for learning synthesis and sampling techniques. Starting with an introduction to the properties of sound, this comprehensive series of courses covers most common synthesis methods available for music production in the DAW of your choice.

Discovering the right sound is like finding a needle in the digital haystack. Learn the fundamentals to make this easier, and gain the depth of knowledge to make a good sound better. Factory content is great, but everyone has it – your mix needs something special.

Upcoming Sound Design Courses Starting in New York City and ONLINE:

March 19, 2013 in NYC – Tuesdays, Thursdays, 3:15-6pm
April 30, 2013 in NYC – Tuesdays, Thursdays, 6:15-9pm
The week of January 20, 2013 ONLINE
The week of April 21, 2013 ONLINE

What’s Included:

• Sound Design Level 1: Introduction to Komplete 8
  
• Sound Design Level 2: Synthesis with Massive, FM8 and Absynth
• Sound Design Level 3: Sampling with Kontakt and Battery
• Sound Design Level 4: Advanced Sound Design
• Sound Design Level 5: Reaktor Ensembles and Instruments
• Sound Design Level 6: Reaktor Programming

Start dates and information about payment plans can be found here.

Or if you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

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In this video we’ll learn how to set up an iPad for use as a second monitor with Logic Pro and explore how to get the most out of this setup. The software we’ll use for this is called Air Display (available via the App Store) and it allows us to turn the iPad into a touchscreen monitor using a WiFi connection.

There are a few ways I’ve used this and I’m sure you’ll think of others. I like to use a second view of the mixer while working in the arrangement, and vice versa when mixing. Another fun use of this where you can get more creative is to control custom control setups in Logic’s Environment view.

In part two of this series I’ll show how to control an arpeggiator using this setup. – Matt Shadetek

For further exploration of Logic check out Dubspot’s six-level Logic Pro Producer program, designed by Matt Shadetek:

Master Logic with our complete program of courses culminating in a four-track EP ready for release. In addition to achieving a complete overview of the composition process in Logic you’ll also earn the Dubspot Producer’s Certificate in Logic Pro. After completing this program, you will leave with a new EP, a remix entered in an active remix contest, and a scored commercial to widen your scope.

What’s Included

• Logic Pro Level 1: Shake Hands with Logic
• Logic Pro Level 2: Completing Your First Track
• Logic Pro Level 3: Mixing Essentials
• Logic Pro Level 4: Sound Design & Instrumentation
• Logic Pro Level 5: Advanced Composition & Production
• Logic Pro Level 6: Taking Your EP Global

Music Production with Logic Pro classes just started; sign-up today!

The week of February 27th in NYC – Wednesdays & Fridays, 6:15-am-9:00pm
The week of April 21st DUBSPOT ONLINE

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Greetings party people! It’s good to be back…

It’s a new year, and with it comes the long-awaited new version of Ableton Live, Live 9. Live 9 has a lot of new features to help improve your workflow and streamline the process of getting creative ideas out of your head and into the software. One of the new features I have found most useful is the ability to record automation directly into clips in the Session View.

In this particular video, I use this new feature to record myself changing the quantization of my drums in real time using the Arpeggiator. This video is actually two little tutorials in one, because the idea of using the Arpeggiator to change drum quantization is something that may be new to a few of you. This particular technique can be used in Live 8 as well, so if haven’t upgraded yet you can still implement the idea of using the Arpeggiator in the way you’ll see demonstrated.

In this video I show how to slice drums to MIDI, create a one-bar drum beat, make it four bars by using the Duplicate Loop button (new in Live 9), add the Arpeggiator, change the sync rate on the arpeggiator to change the quantization of the drums, and then record myself doing this in real time directly in the clip with Session View automation (also new in Live 9).

Ready for some new knowledge? Good…let’s get started. – Thavius Beck

Music Production w/ Ableton Live

NYC COURSES
Morning Classes: March 11, 2013; Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri, 10:15-1pm
Evening Classes: March 19, 2013; Tuesdays and Thursdays, Fri 6:15pm-9pm
Weekend Classes: March 16, 2013; Saturdays, 12:00-6pm

ONLINE COURSES in session with seats still available. Register today!

From the studio to the stage, learn to use Ableton Live to create, record, produce, and perform your music. Learn about linear and improvisational styles of producing electronic music as we help you master the software’s innovative interface.

After completing this program, you will leave with four completed tracks (an EP), a remix entered in an active contest, a scored commercial to widen your scope, and the Dubspot Producer’s Certificate in Ableton Live.

What’s Included:

• Ableton Live Level 1: Shake Hands with Live
• Ableton Live Level 2: Completing Your First Track
• Ableton Live Level 3: Production Essentials
• Ableton Live Level 4: Sound Design & Instrumentation
• Ableton Live Level 5: Advanced Composition & Production
• Ableton Live Level 6: Taking Your EP Global

“So far the experience through Dubspot is incredible, and I can’t wait to go through the next levels. It’s just getting better each week, and I can not wait to start putting an EP together, not just being able to put a successful track together!” - Dan Carter, United Kingdom

Start dates and information about payment plans can be found here.

Or if you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

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LN // Cork, Ireland

Sixteen-year-old Ireland-based electronic music producer and singer Ellen Murphy a.k.a. LN is the youngest student so far to complete our Ableton Live Producer Certificate Program (which she completed while she was only 15!) Ellen has studied music theory and she is a classically trained violinist. During her time at Dubspot, she went through a radical transformation and a change in musical direction, adopting and infusing fresh, happening electronic dance music styles such as house, electro, trap, dubstep, and other strands of electronic music into her sound. Preview some of her exciting, club-ready bangers below:

“Being at Dubspot flipped me 180 degrees, from being a singer who wanted to produce her own songs to becoming a producer who happens to sing on her own tracks. Dubspot gave me a crazy love for genres I’d never been exposed to before. Everyone there is so passionate about music; I felt part of a family where everyone shares the same interests.

Dubspot is literally the most amazing place on earth. It’s a colorful world full of totally different, unique people, who share a passion for music, a determination to succeed, and a commitment to helping each other. Bigger than life, it’s just where I needed to be.” – Ellen Murphy a.k.a. LN

Robzilla // New York City

New York City-based DJ/producer Rob Kelley a.k.a. Robzilla began producing rap and dancehall tracks after DJing for ten years. Originally from Hawaii, Rob relocated to NYC to pursue a career in music. He took our Music Production with Logic Pro course with Matt Shadetek and started releasing his dancehall edits and remixes on SoundCloud. His tracks were picked up and played on BBC Radio 1Xtra and Radio Lily, as well as by DJs including Machinedrum, LionDub, and Matt Shadetek. Below you can check out his first single, “World Keeps Spinning,” which features Jahdan Blakkamoore on vocals. It’s out now on Brooklyn’s Dutty Artz.

“Dubspot was the spark that really got me producing, and the reason that I’m releasing records today. The Logic class pushed me like crazy and helped me kick bad habits like not completely finishing off my tracks. If you are serious about making a career of out producing in Logic, this is a necessary step.” – Rob Kelley a.k.a. Robzilla

Tomeeo // Chicago via Brooklyn

Chicago via Brooklyn DJ/producer Tom Chung a.k.a. Tomeeo has been very busy the last couple of years. He’s had the opportunity to play at the biggest clubs and shared stages with prominent electronic music figures including Sharam, Tocadisco, Arno Cost, Norman Doray, Dabruck & Klein, and Mauro Picotto. In 2011 he performed at some of Seoul, Korea’s major hot spots including Club Volume, Answer, Junkie, and LUV.  Within one year of launching his weekly EDM podcast called Earslap, in collaboration with A.move, Tomeeo has been working with some of the biggest international EDM stars through guest mixes including Moguai, Ferry Corsten, Steve Aoki, Swanky Tunes, Tritonal, The Crystal Method, Digitalism, Porter Robinson, Zedd and many more.  Earslap is now the #1 EDM podcast in South Korea! Listen to Earslap Podcast below:

“Dubspot is a great school to professionally develop your skills in music production.  After completing the Ableton, Sound Design, and Mixing & Mastering courses I have newfound abilities that I am applying into my workflow every day in the studio.  I finished the Ableton course with the capacity to smoothly translate the ideas in my head onto the DAW.  Sound Design with Evan Sutton was an intensive look into synthesis, you really get to develop your own palette of sounds, and his track critiques are spot on due to his objective approach and wide knowledge of music.  Danny Wyatt helps you acquire the technical knowledge and abilities to take your track pro.  Before Dubspot I was an aspiring producer without any finished work, now I have a single out on Beatport, a remix to be released on March 13th, and multiple tracks underway.  Finally, the friendships I made during class led to interesting collaboration projects that I’m really excited about, and that in itself is priceless!” – Tom Chung a.k.a. Tomeeo

Bearings Jammed // Bristol, UK

Bearings Jammed is a Bristol-based DJ/producer whose principal musical influences derive from a lifetime spent dancing in fields to underground electronic music. He’s been producing his unique brand of bassline-driven, wonky techno for over 15 years. Growing up in the southwest of England in the early 1990s, 50 minutes from Bristol and two hours from London, there were plenty of opportunities to immerse himself in the exciting early days of the growing UK rave scene.

“Inspiration for my own productions has come largely from these experiences, of feeling the music in a free and open setting (physically and emotionally) and from an eclectic mix of styles…”

Bearings Jammed is a true music enthusiast with a broad range of influences that are reflected in his work, from Dave Clark, Photek and DJ Die to Magda, Hobo, Claude VonStroke and labels such as Items and Things, Minus and Dirtybird Records. His productions are dynamic and range from slow and swanky techno grooves to uptempo jams. Listen to tracks off his latest EP Wonky below–out soon on Agatone Records.

“I picked up more technique and understanding of music production in the first few levels of the course than I did spending over ten years previously guessing and saying oops, with little to no success. Now I have a two-track EP called Wonky coming out soon on Agatone Records which I’m very proud of and have a much better understanding of how to make tracks and more importantly, finish them, and have a few projects on the go with more releases announced this year.” – Bearings Jammed

Party Foul Records // New York City

New York City’s Party Foul Records is an exciting new label/collective focusing on fresh and innovative electronic dance music with forward-thinking and genre-defying artists, producers, and performers such as Aladot and New Planet. Party Foul is determined to set itself apart as a boundary-pushing force in contemporary music.

Alodot is a producer who believes in music–music with no restrictions and no genre specifications. He finds influence from every style of music both past and present, and believes that the future lies within the recreation of past musical standards, trends and sounds. The only difference is that now you don’t need two guitarists, a bassist, drummer and lead vocalist to make music work.

Coming out of New York City, the production duo New Planet has been perfecting their production technique in order to give you a new experience in glitch hop and electronic music. New Planet combines hip hop melodies with crushing basses, ethereal samples, gritty layers and electronic synths to create another world with their sound design.  They have shared the stage with artists such as Archnemesis, Heyoka, The Polish Ambassador, Arpetrio, The New Deal, DNAE Beats, OTT, Eliot Lipp, and Mindelixer.

“Dubspot has given us every tool available to realize our collective dream of launching a record label.  It provided us with a solid understanding of the production industry, the ultimate finesse to our long-standing projects and the capability to grow as artists and develop our talents as competitive musicians.  Most importantly, it gave us the confidence to move forward with our business goals knowing we had a unique foundation of experience on which to build.  Dubspot made our dreams real for us and we couldn’t be prouder of our education.” – Stefany Reese

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In this video interview, DJ Muggs talks about his production process, evolution and philosophy. He discusses his early beginnings as the primary producer and DJ for the influential hip hop group Cypress Hill, composing and recording within severe technical limitations: early Cypress Hill records were produced only using turntables and a cassette deck before the group later graduated to programming beats and samples with an E-mu SP-1200 and recording to 4-track cassette recorder. He talks about working with a diverse list of artists over the years, ranging from The RZA and Dr. Dre to Sonic Youth and Pearl Jam, and what he learned from those collaborations.

Over the course of the interview he also touches on his own hesitation to transition from analog to digital music production technology to digital, the importance of education, constantly learning, refining, and challenging yourself as a producer or DJ,  and immersing himself in the works of a wide array of artists (ranging from The Beatles to Salvador Dali), learning from the past while embracing the future.

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Of all the improvements in Ableton Live 9, the thing that excites me the most are the new audio-to-MIDI conversion tools. I’m always looking for new technologies that will open up new creative approaches and allow me to manipulate audio recordings in interesting ways, and these easy-to-use conversion tools do just the trick.

In this tutorial, I will take a simple guitar riff and turn it into an aggressive industrial-style synth bass by converting the riff to MIDI and using the notes to trigger Native Instruments’ Massive synthesizer.

My main instrument is the guitar, not the keyboard. I write differently when playing guitar and I come up with melodies that would never have occurred to me if I was sitting down at a keyboard controller. With these new functions in Ableton, I can now start a new track on my guitar, record my playing into Live through my audio interface, and convert my riffs into MIDI files. Then I can take my guitar melodies in new creative directions by assigning the MIDI data to control different synthesizers and samplers. Another great benefit here is that I do not have to purchase additional any gear to convert my guitar output to MIDI, everything I need is built into Live 9.

So go pick up a REAL instrument and have fun turning it into something synthetic! - Matt Cellitti

Music Production w/ Ableton Live

NYC COURSES
Started January 30th; Course in session; seats are still available – Wednesdays & Fridays 6:15-9pm
February 18, 2013; Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri 3:15-6pm
March 11, 2013; Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri 10:15am-1pm

ONLINE COURSES
Started the week of February 3rd; seats still available
The week of April 7, 2013; Register today

From the studio to the stage, learn to use Ableton Live to create, record, produce, and perform your music. Learn about linear and improvisational styles of producing electronic music as we help you master the software’s innovative interface.

After completing this program, you will leave with four completed tracks (an EP), a remix entered in an active contest, a scored commercial to widen your scope, and the Dubspot Producer’s Certificate in Ableton Live.

What’s Included:

• Ableton Live Level 1: Shake Hands with Live
• Ableton Live Level 2: Completing Your First Track
• Ableton Live Level 3: Production Essentials
• Ableton Live Level 4: Sound Design & Instrumentation
• Ableton Live Level 5: Advanced Composition & Production
• Ableton Live Level 6: Taking Your EP Global

“So far the experience through Dubspot is incredible, and I can’t wait to go through the next levels. It’s just getting better each week, and I can not wait to start putting an EP together, not just being able to put a successful track together!” - Dan Carter, United Kingdom

Start dates and information about payment plans can be found here.

Or if you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

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The Dubspot YouTube channel is 100,000 subscribers strong!

Our YouTube community has grown tremendously over the last couple of years, and we’d like to thank every one of our subscribers for tuning in! In this video recapping and highlighting some recent memorable and exciting moments at Dubspot, students, instructors, guest artists and lecturers talk about what Dubspot means to them and the ever-growing electronic music community.

As 2013 progresses we will continue to deliver a constant stream of high-quality music production and DJ tutorials, artist interviews and profiles, live streaming workshops and events coverage to music enthusiasts across the globe.

Whether it’s a tutorial from one of our talented instructors (including Matt Shadetek, Thavius Beck, DJ Shiftee, Evan Sutton, DJ Endo, Daniel Wyatt, Chris Petti, Abe Duque and Raz Mesinai) or an interview, profile, or workshop from one of our guest artists (recently including Marley Marl, Carl Craig, Roger Linn, King Britt, Robert Henke a.k.a. Monolake, Mike Huckaby, Pete Tong, Mala of Digital Mystikz, Goth-Trad, DJ Muggs, Pete Tong, and Clive Chin), we promise to continue offering great info on production techniques and creative new ideas to inspire your music. Subscribe to the Dubspot YouTube channel today!

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In the third installment of Mix / Master, Daniel Wyatt shares tips and techniques for mixing and shaping snare drums, and transforming stock sounds into your own unique creations. Using a track produced by Dubspot Mixing & Mastering graduate James Ellington, he shows you how to add saturation by utilizing Decapitator SoundToys (some analog richness to digital sounds) along with iZotope’s Alloy 2 to enhance the dynamics of the snare by EQing and compressing it.

Stay tuned for more useful mixing and mastering tips from Daniel Wyatt in this series.

Transform rough ideas and basic compositions into dance floor bangers and sonically pleasing commercial quality masters. Learn the well-kept industry secrets of EQ, compression, panning, level balancing, reverb and special effects from platinum mix/mastering engineer, Daniel Wyatt, senior Dubspot Instructor.

From rough mixes to quality masters.

Learn the well-kept industry secrets of EQ, compression, panning, level balancing, reverb and special effects and transform rough ideas and basic compositions into a commercial master.

Science behind the art.

Investigate how to use key concepts and tools in your tracks, while paying special attention to techniques of metering and spectral analysis in order to apply science alongside the art.

UPCOMING Mixing & Mastering Courses Starting In New York City:

December 17, 2012 in NYC – Mondays, 6:15-9pm

What’s Included:

Mixing & Mastering Level 1: Mix

Mixing & Mastering Level 2: Modify

Mixing & Mastering Level 3: Master

“The videos were helpful and the chats were great. I expected a lot out of this course and I got it!” - Jon Yu, California

Start dates and information about payment plans can be found here.

Or if you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

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Our latest podcast comes from Astrolith a.k.a. Evan Sutton, a Brooklyn-based electronic music producer, performer, and educator. (Full disclosure: Mr. Sutton is an extremely talented music production and sound design instructor here at Dubspot.) His contribution to our podcast series, dubbed “Performance Mix: Mirror Match,” is an utterly insane, mind-boggling collection of forward-leaning dancefloor grooves. Ridiculously fresh and unapologetically experimental, the mix was recorded in Ableton Live and includes infectious edits of songs from Siriusmo, Modeselektor, and Mr. Oizo in addition to Sutton’s own original tracks and exclusives, not to mention vocals from the likes of T.I., E-40, Trick Daddy, and Missy Elliot.

Dubspot Podcast 032: Astrolith (Space is the Place / NYC) – ‘Mirror Match’ by Dubspot

Track listing:

01. I’m So Digital – Astrolith
02. W.O.W. (Modeselektor Edit w/Astrolith Trick Daddy Edit) – Siriusmo
03. Monkeyflip – Modeselektor ft. Nazizi and Abbas
04. What You Know about Gossip? – Astrolith Mixup ft. Missy Elliott and T.I.
05. Fogcutter – Astrolith
06. Art & Cash (Miss Congeniality Edit) – Modeselektor
07. City Hall – Astrolith
08. Furio – Astrolith
09. Erreurjean ft. Errorsmith (Astrolith Edit) – Mr. Oizo
10. Feed my Meatmachine (Astrolith Edit) – Siriusmo
11. Liquid Pork (Miss Congeniality Edit) – Astrolith
12. Porte Rouge – Astrolith
13. Mayham (Miss Congeniality Edit) – Astrolith
14. Kill Bill Vol. 4 (Miss Congeniality Edit) – Modeselektor
15. Utility Food – Astrolith

Evan Sutton’s latest release as Astrolith, an EP titled Utility Food, dropped is out now on Brooklyn’s Space is the Place Records. Stream the the four-track EP below:

Utility Food by Astrolith

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Discovering the right sound is like finding a needle in the digital haystack. Learn the fundamentals to make this easier, and gain the depth of knowledge to make a good sound better. Factory content is great, but everyone has it – your mix needs something special.

Become fluent in the language of sound design with this comprehensive program. This six-level Sound Design program uses Native Instruments’ Komplete as a platform for learning synthesis and sampling techniques. Starting with an introduction to the properties of sound, this comprehensive series of courses covers most common synthesis methods available for music production in the DAW of your choice.

UPCOMING Sound Design Courses Starting In New York City:

Registration open until November 27, 2012 in NYC – Wednesdays and Fridays, 6:15-9pm

What’s Included:

• Sound Design Level 1: Introduction to Komplete 8
  
• Sound Design Level 2: Synthesis with Massive, FM8 and Absynth
• Sound Design Level 3: Sampling with Kontakt and Battery
• Sound Design Level 4: Advanced Sound Design
• Sound Design Level 5: Reaktor Ensembles and Instruments
• Sound Design Level 6: Reaktor Programming

More start dates and payment plans can be found here.

Or if you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

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The AlphaSphere is a new electronic musical instrument developed by award-winning technology company nu desine based out of Bristol, UK. Adam Place, founder of nu desine, was in the United States recently and visited Dubspot NYC, where he showcased the performance possibilities of the AlphaSphere and explained how he came up with the idea to create a brand-new instrument. The AlphaSphere was nominated for Stuff Magazine’s Design of the Year as part of the Gadget Awards 2012 (alongside inventions by Google, Microsoft, and Nokia) and has been referred to as one of “the world’s most futuristic musical instruments.”
In this video, Adam Place demonstrates and talks about electronic music production and performance with the AlphaSphere; looking beyond conventional keyboards and exploring new musical possibilities and ideas; the intuitive nature of a spherical music instrument; and mapping, programming and sequencing samples and MIDI using the standalone application AlphaLive.

Become fluent in the language of sound design with this comprehensive program. This six-level Sound Design program uses Native Instruments’ Komplete as a platform for learning synthesis and sampling techniques. Starting with an introduction to the properties of sound, this comprehensive series of courses covers most common synthesis methods available for music production in the DAW of your choice.

Discovering the right sound is like finding a needle in the digital haystack. Learn the fundamentals to make this easier, and gain the depth of knowledge to make a good sound better. Factory content is great, but everyone has it – your mix needs something special.

What’s Included:

• Sound Design Level 1: Introduction to Komplete 8
  
• Sound Design Level 2: Synthesis with Massive, FM8 and Absynth
• Sound Design Level 3: Sampling with Kontakt and Battery
• Sound Design Level 4: Advanced Sound Design
• Sound Design Level 5: Reaktor Ensembles and Instruments
• Sound Design Level 6: Reaktor Programming

Start dates and information about payment plans can be found here.

Or if you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

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In this tutorial we are going to explore a basic technique for creating melodic and harmonic material: writing from chord progressions. This is a technique I personally use a lot and I feel it has helped me to write more quickly although I don’t have a strong music theory background.  The basic idea is that we start with a three- or four-chord progression and use that to create all of our other parts.  I find that this allows me to keep moving forward and eliminates some of the guesswork in writing lead melodies, basslines and other supporting parts. Starting with the chord progression creates a harmonic framework for us to move around in and limits some of the choices we have to make at any given moment. This can free up some of our writing energy to focus on things like rhythm, instrumentation and structure.

If you are having a hard time coming up with basic chord progressions, I recommend checking out sites like musictheory.net which has a simple chord calculator and can display notation on a keyboard for those of us who aren’t too great with standard notation. - Matt Shadetek

Master Logic with our complete program of courses culminating in a four-track EP ready for release. In addition to achieving a complete overview of the composition process in Logic you’ll also earn the Dubspot Producer’s Certificate in Logic Pro. After completing this program, you will leave with a new EP, a remix entered in an active remix contest, and a scored commercial to widen your scope.

What’s Included

• Logic Pro Level 1: Shake Hands with Logic
• Logic Pro Level 2: Completing Your First Track
• Logic Pro Level 3: Mixing Essentials
• Logic Pro Level 4: Sound Design & Instrumentation
• Logic Pro Level 5: Advanced Composition & Production
• Logic Pro Level 6: Taking Your EP Global

Music Production with Logic Pro start dates:

October 29th in NYC – Mondays & Wednesdays, 10:15-am-1:00pm
October 21st DUBSPOT ONLINE

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The latest edition of our free introductory Dubspot + Ableton 30 | 30 course has come to a close recently, and we’re please to announce that Galen O’Grady is the winner of our 30 | 30 giveaway! (We have already notified Galen.)

Students who worked through all 30 of the online lessons and earned a perfect score on the four quizzes inside were eligible to win our grand prize bundle:

• free enrollment in Dubspot’s Ableton Live Producer program
  
• a copy of Ableton Live 8 + an Ableton T-shirt
  
• an Akai APC40 MIDI controller, and
  
• three sample packs from Loopmasters

We were really happy with the number of students who managed to finish the entire course. We drew randomly from the pool of students who completed all the quizzes to select the winner.

The full Dubspot Online Ableton program will pick up where 30 | 30 left off and take you through the entire process of becoming an artist, helping you to develop your own sound and direction by composing a series of sketches and tracks as you learn Ableton. One of our highly-trained Dubspot instructors will be there to guide your progress at every stage by providing direct audio and video feedback on the music you create throughout the course.

Some highlights of what you will learn through our full Ableton Live program include composition and arrangement, working with instruments and effects, sound design, proper mixing technique, advanced beat programming and more. Check this video for more on our online Ableton program:

Start Dates and Times for Music Production w/ Ableton Live

October 14th in NYC – Sundays, 1-7pm
October 17th in NYC – Wednesdays and Fridays, 6:15-9pm
October 29th in NYC – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 3:15-6pm

October 7th – ONLINE
December 2nd – ONLINE

What’s Included:

• Ableton Live Level 1: Shake Hands with Live
• Ableton Live Level 2: Completing Your First Track
• Ableton Live Level 3: Production Essentials
• Ableton Live Level 4: Sound Design & Instrumentation
• Ableton Live Level 5: Advanced Composition & Production
• Ableton Live Level 6: Taking Your EP Global

“So far the experience through Dubspot is incredible, and I can’t wait to go through the next levels. It’s just getting better each week, and I can not wait to start putting an EP together, not just being able to put a successful track together!” - Dan Carter, United Kingdom

More start dates and information about payment plans can be found here.

If you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

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Layering drums is something I often find misunderstood by students.  If we layer two copies of the exact same sound, they will double in volume.  The same is true when we layer similar sounds, even if they are not exactly the same. Because people often think that louder sounds better, punchier, or more powerful, it can be easy to get confused. What we should really think about when we’re layering things is the unique contribution of each layer.

There are two things should evaluate about sounds we are layering. One is the textural contribution of each layer: is it a noisy acoustic sample or something smooth and synthetic? The second is the frequency contribution: is this sound contributing bass, midrange or treble to the overall mix? Generally speaking we want each layer to contribute something unique or different. For example there is not much point in layering two smooth subbass kick sounds together; in fact this will often create more problems than it solves. Once we learn to evaluate the contribution each sound is making like this, we’ll be able to come up with much stronger drum sounds. - Matt Shadetek

Master Logic with our complete program of courses culminating in a four-track EP ready for release. In addition to achieving a complete overview of the composition process in Logic you’ll also earn the Dubspot Producer’s Certificate in Logic Pro. After completing this program, you will leave with a new EP, a remix entered in an active remix contest, and a scored commercial to widen your scope.

What’s Included

• Logic Pro Level 1: Shake Hands with Logic
• Logic Pro Level 2: Completing Your First Track
• Logic Pro Level 3: Mixing Essentials
• Logic Pro Level 4: Sound Design & Instrumentation
• Logic Pro Level 5: Advanced Composition & Production
• Logic Pro Level 6: Taking Your EP Global

Music Production with Logic Pro start dates:

October 29th in NYC – Mondays & Wednedays, 10:15-am-1:00pm
October 21st DUBSPOT ONLINE

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In our last tutorial we looked at using Maschine in standalone mode in conjunction with Logic. In this tutorial we will look at the more typical scenario, loading it as a plug-in inside of Logic instead.  One advantage of this approach is that we can run multiple outputs out of Maschine and apply Logic’s effects directly to the Maschine outputs.  We can also overcome the synchronization issues that we saw with the standalone approach. The decision to use standalone or plug-in mode is really a question of personal preference as each has its pros and cons. I recommend you try both and discover what works for you. – Matt Shadetek

Master Logic with our complete program of courses. In addition to achieving a complete overview of the composition process in Logic you’ll also earn the Dubspot Producer’s Certificate in Logic Pro. After completing this program, you will leave with a new EP, a remix entered in an active remix contest, and a scored commercial to widen your scope.

What’s Included

• Logic Pro Level 1: Shake Hands with Logic
• Logic Pro Level 2: Completing Your First Track
• Logic Pro Level 3: Mixing Essentials
• Logic Pro Level 4: Sound Design & Instrumentation
• Logic Pro Level 5: Advanced Composition & Production
• Logic Pro Level 6: Taking Your EP Global

Music Production with Logic Pro start dates:

October 29th in NYC – Mondays & Wednesdays, 10:15-am-1:00pm
October 21st ONLINE

Native Instruments’ Maschine redefines the intersection of hardware and software, performance and production. With Dubspot’s Maschine program for performers and producers, you will go from shaking hands with this cutting-edge music platform to making full tracks and performing your music live over the course of three levels. The future of performance and production is here, and there is no time for the future like today.

What’s Included

• Maschine Level 1: Programming and Beat Making Basics
• Maschine Level 2: Sampling, Slicing and Composing
• Maschine Level 3: Advanced Production and Performance Techniques

Music Production with Native Instruments Maschine start dates:

September 26th in NYC – Wednedays, 3:15-6pm
October 21st in NYC – Time and Day(s) TBA

More start dates and information about payment plans can be found here.

If you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

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