Generate new musical ideas in Ableton Live
PROBLEM: How can I create drum patterns with interesting variations throughout an arrangement?
Keeping drum patterns interesting over an arrangement can be a long process, however, using Live 11’s Take Lanes and Comping in a creative way can help make this easier. Additionally, spicing it up with Spectral Resonator can result in some extra movement and interesting textures throughout the arrangement.
In this example, Take Lanes allow us to have multiple top loops loaded as takes, and using creative comping we can quickly combine these loops into one main take. Start with a basic drum pattern programmed and another audio track with additional inserted Take Lanes for your various top loops. The top loops should have different sound characteristics and patterns.
Once the comp is done, we will group together the main drum sequence and the freshly created comp, before loading Spectral Resonator onto the group.
We’ll also need a clip of MIDI chords which we can use to trigger Spectral Resonator. When all of this has been set up you will be able to manipulate Spectral Resonator’s settings throughout the arrangement by automating parameters.
01
Create Take Lanes
Program a basic drum sequence without top percussion. Once it’s done, create a new Audio Track, then select this Audio Track and by using the shortcut “SHIFT+OPTION+T”, create a couple of Take Lanes. Then drag over some audio top loops in order to fill out the Take Lanes.
02
Let’s Comp!
Enable the Pencil Tool by hitting “B” on your keyboard. Now you can make selections with the Pencil Tool within the Take Lanes of each loop to create the main comp of the track. This should give you some interesting and unexpected combinations of the audio loops. Now you have the comp, group it together with the basic drum pattern track.
03
Time for Spectral Resonator
Insert Spectral Resonator onto the group. We will also need a clip of MIDI chords. Once you have that, press the “MIDI” button in the Pitch Mode area. This will activate the “MIDI From” tab, where you can choose the track that holds the MIDI chords as the input trigger. Now you should switch the “Mono” button to Poly.
04
Automating Parameters
For further movements and texture variations we can automate the Transpose, Decay and Dry/Wet controls by enabling Automation Mode (press “A” on your keyboard”) and selecting these parameters.