ABLETON OUTLINE - 4 WEEK LAYOUT

🎓 Ableton Live Lite Beat Making – Beginner Syllabus

Course Duration: 4 Classes
Class Length: 2.5 Hours Each
Software: Ableton Live Lite
Skill Level: Beginner
Goal: Learn to create, arrange, and export a beat using Ableton’s built-in tools and samples.

✅ Prerequisites

To be able to participate in this course, students should have the following:

• A laptop (Mac preferred, but not required, preferably with at least one usb (not usbc) port and a headphone jack)

• Ableton Live Lite installed (you can download it for free from the Ableton website)

• Note: Everything we cover in class will be accessible in the Lite version

• Headphones will be available in class, but if you have a comfortable pair of wired (non-Bluetooth) headphones, we recommend bringing them for the best experience

No previous experience with music production is necessary — just bring curiosity and a willingness to learn!

Class 1: Getting Started & Making Your First Beat

🎯 Objective:

Get comfortable with Ableton’s interface, understand basic rhythm structure, program a beat, and save your work properly.

🧠 Topics Covered:

• Overview of Session View vs. Arrangement View

• Setting up audio and MIDI preferences

• Creating and using MIDI & audio tracks

• Understanding beats and bars (4/4 time, what a measure is, counting rhythm)

• Introduction to Drum Rack and built-in drum kits

• Step sequencing with MIDI clips

• Using quantize and grid settings

• Looping, tempo, and clip launching

• Saving sessions (Collect All and Save)

• Organizing project folders

🎵 Hands-On Goals:

• Program a basic 4/4 drum beat (kick, snare, hi-hat)

• Add percussion or simple variation

• Practice counting and looping beats in time

• Save and name your Ableton project correctly

Class 2: Layering & Groove

🎯 Objective:

Add bass and melody to your beat and introduce swing/groove for more musical feel.

🧠 Topics Covered:

• MIDI instruments overview

• Music theory basics (scales, chords, root note)

• Programming a bassline

• Creating a simple melody

• Groove Pool: adding swing and feel

• Working with loops and audio samples

🎵 Hands-On Goals:

• Layer your beat with bass and melody

• Adjust swing settings

• Refine your loop and save a version 2

Class 3: Structure, FX & Automation

🎯 Objective:

Expand your loop into a full song section using effects, returns, and automation.

🧠 Topics Covered:

• Intro to song structure: intro, verse, drop

• Arranging in Arrangement View

• Audio effects: delay, reverb, EQ, filters

• Send and Return tracks: using shared effects across multiple channels

• Track automation (volume, effects, panning)

• Clip envelopes vs track automation

• Creating transitions

🎵 Hands-On Goals:

• Turn your loop into a 16-bar section

• Apply delay or reverb using return tracks

• Automate a filter or volume fade

• Save and back up your work

Class 4: Mixing, Final Touches & Sharing

🎯 Objective:

Polish your track with basic mixing, export it, and learn how to share it.

🧠 Topics Covered:

• Volume balancing and EQ

• Panning and track grouping

• Master track basics: limiter, light compression

• Exporting: WAV vs MP3 settings

• How to upload to SoundCloud or Bandcamp

• In-class project showcase and feedback

🎵 Hands-On Goals:

• Final mixdown of your track

• Export your project

• Present your beat to the class