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Givertake Mixtape

My Ableton LP / Mixtape: Update

October 17, 2015 / / 1 Comment

I’ve been working on my LP in Ableton for almost two years (!!!), but today, I’m excited to announce I’ve released my first mixtape. Why a mixtape, and not the album? Well, aside from a vocal sample I snagged for the intro, they are essentially one in the same. That is, the track selection and order are there. But instead of releasing 10 standalone tracks, one after the other, properly mixed and mastered, I was keen on getting this project out. Hear the mix below and read the steps I’ve taken to reach this critical, yet very personal, milestone.

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December 17, 2014 / / 0 Comments

In the first half of this series, I covered the importance of using Ableton’s Session View and Mixed In Key to creatively identify your mashup’s backing and supporting tracks. I also gave some tips for getting your raw material ready, and setting up a new Ableton session. We’re now switching gears from DJ to Producer mode, and I’ll be sharing specific Arrangement editing and mixing techniques I use for creating well-constructed, and well-mixed mashups.

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December 14, 2014 / / 0 Comments

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December 13, 2014 / / 0 Comments

When I stumble on a good mashup during an Ableton session, I just want to capture that shiz and share it. Mashups force you to split your roles to both DJ and Producer, making Ableton the ideal environment to play. On one side, you can be highly experimental and responsive in Session View; on the other, you’re editing and mixing down the arrangement. Here are some tips to help you get mashing in Ableton.

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October 29, 2014 / / 0 Comments

Bang out a beat first? Pick your synths? Select a tempo range, and choose a key? There’s no right or wrong way to get to a finished track, but there are definitely steps where I find myself getting stuck in a loop (and no, I don’t mean 8-bar bongo samples – although that has certainly happened). The trick is to make swift decisions. Far easier said than done.

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September 19, 2014 / / 9 Comments

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September 8, 2014 / / 0 Comments

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