Turn your APC40 or APC20 into a step sequencer.

Ableton staff member Mark Egloff made a patch to turn your Akai APC40 or APC20 into a full fledged step-sequencer.

Here is a demo on how it works:


And here is the download link to where you can download the patch for free:
CLICK HERE

A quick demo of Numark's new DJ setup the NS6

DJ Cerla shows us the potential of Numarks latest all in one DJ setup the NS6. The setup which comes complete with 2 touch sensitive scratch capable platters that can control up to 4 channels of audio using Serato's Itch software. This setup is made for the CD or Vinyl DJ's that like the ablility to scratch but may be looking to have a small all in one setup. MSRP is $999 but after you see this vid you will see it's a solid piece of gear that's worth considering.

How To Make An Electro House Song In Ableton Live (Part 1)

If you're a fan of Electro house you will definetly love this tutorial from Abletonlife. This video is part 1 and they show us how to layout the drums, get a nice bass line and also get some nice melodic chords going. Part 2 is here: Watch here

Rusko Producer Masterclass Part 1

Normally I don't show vids of other DAW's besides Ableton currently. But this video is a must if you're a fan of Rusko. It's quite revealing in showing how he works his magic using Sony Acid as he DAW of choice. I think this is also great that it show's it doesn't matter what DAW or tools you use as much as how much time and care you put into your creations. The great thing too of course is much of what he shows can easily be done in any DAW. Hope you guys enjoy!

Just a quick note.

I decided to change the look of EDM Heaven a bit, hope you like it, I think it was over due for a bit of a change.

Dubstep tutorial part three - Making a Yoy/Womp/Yeah Bass Sound in Ableton using Operator

Title pretty much says it but today eArtrash shows us how to make some nice gritty womp sounds often used in Dubstep using Ableton's main synth Operator. If you don't own Operator you can go to Ableton's webesite and download a 30 day demo of Operator to try out and follow along with this tutorial.

Also this video is part 4 but the video will show links to parts 1,2, and 4 so check those out as well. Cheers and have fun!

How to make Skrillex's signature talking bassline synth

Today nzmusic101 shows us how to make a Skrillex bassline using Native Instrument's Massive synth. If you like grity, dirty, crunched leads and basslines then you are in for a real treate. Of course if you don't have Massive you can achieve much the same thing in many synths as Oscillators and LFO's are pretty basic essentials to any solid synth, so if you pay careful attention you can achieve much the same result using whatever tools you have available to you.

You may or may not have noticed our site was out of commission the last 3 days.

To briefly explain what happened my email got hacked into and they began spamming all my contacts this set off Google's spam prevention which locked my email account and temporarily shut down our site here. The good news is finally everything is back up and running and we can get back to making music.

Thanks to all our supporters!

- Sean

Fm synthesis in Ableton Operator

If you have Operator chances are you know how diverse this Synth is Interstatejt shows us how to create FM synthesis using Ableton's flagship synth "Operator". Hope you guys enjoy!

Serato ScratchLive's Hidden Easter Eggs

Did you know Serato has Pong built in? Or that you can hide track names? Check out the video to see how to unlock these and more.

Novation Twitch overview

NovationTV shows us their brand new DJ controller made to use with Serato Itch, Traktor or Ableton. The main thing you will notice is they did away with the control wheel most Laptop DJ controllers have in favor of a touch strip. The nice thing is this does free up more space for loop point controls and other things but it means scratching, at least in the traditional sense, is not possible.

So what do you think? Like it, love it, or hate it?

Ableton Tutorial: Making a Reggae Style Loop

This week Joshua Casper shows us how to make some Reggae.

Here is the link for the sample pack, so you can follow along with this tutorial:
http://joshuacasper.com/tutorials/tutorials.html

Also check out his site for more info:
http://joshuacasper.com

Smashing deep dark and dirty tech house track

ROBERT BABICZ - REMOTE KISS

In a word this track is powerful and also memorable ok that's two words but in the age of countless disposable releases pouring in by the hour, on the hour of every single day, saying that something is memorable, really means something.

A big pulsating bass kick drives this track and drives you to dance, a big old acid synth sound clears the air when it feels like it, and when the high hat finally does come in around the 3:20 mark... the track has you.

New collaborative release by Burial, Four Tet, and Thom Yorke

I'm a fan of all 3 of these guys so when I heard they got together on a project, my ears started tingling. And I'm glad too, as after listening to this double track release, I'm pleasantly surprised.

The tracks were played during a live steaming set by Rinse.FM this evening on the Four Tet vs. Floating Points session. And of course a fan recording the set posted them up on youtube for all of us to check out.

The trio released today a 12-inch single featuring two songs, 'EGO' and the 'Mirror'. The release is being sold at Bleep.com which sadly is already sold out but should continue selling again as soon as another supply comes in. No word yet on when digital sales will officially begin. But at least for now you can listen to them on the Youtube links below.

The tracks are coming out on Four Tet's record label, Text Records.

Here is the first track "Mirror"


And the second one, "Ego"

Touch screen DJ'ing for Traktor and soon for Serato, Ableton and many other software in the works.

This literally just came out in fact as of yet this setup is only working on PC for Traktor as the site tells me. The developers say they are actively working on a Mac version, hoping to have it out by the middle of 2011, as well plans are already in the works to get Serato, Ableton and many other DJ software configured to use this setup. But what you will see in the video is a rather simple setup. Big touch screen either 32" or 42" that is multi-touch sensitive powered by a standard video projector that projects onto the glass screen, a laptop running Traktor with a midi controller type skin called Emulator over it and a soundcard, and thats basically it.

As amazing as this setup looks and sounds, prices I hear for the setup are fairly steep. For the 32" screen dual-touch setup you're looking at $3875 USD and $5975 for the 42" "apparently six-touch" screen setup. But both these setups do include the touch screens, stand for the touch screen, the projector, and Emulator software. Traktor, Laptop/desktop and soundcards you will still need to provide your own.

Also these are just initial prices, they may change overtime, as hardware streamlines or competition ramps up, so who knows. Either way this setup I'm sure will definitely be a must have for many DJ's. So what do you guys think? Leave a comment and let me know.

For more info check out the 2 DJ's who developed this setup's website: www.smithsonmartin.com

A demo showing the Novation Dicer - Serato Scratch Turntable Controller from Novation

The guys over at LoopTV bring you this nifty demo for 'The Novation Dicer'...Developed for Serato, this palm-sized cue point and looping controller.

You can instantly set cue points and use it to trigger 'Hot Cues'. Then flip Dicer into 'Auto-Loop' or 'Loop Roll' modes, to trigger loops, or 'roll' sections of the track to create climaxes, drops and glitchy breaks.

Link to the guys who made the video: http://www.looptv.net

A review of The Bridge, the partnership between Ableton Live and Serato Scratch Live

In this video you will see all the main features of The Bridge, the very first version of the software that allows you to pair up Ableton Live and Serato Scratch Live. This setup is a huge step towards bridging the gap between producer, DJ, and artist.

Check out my review of the pros and cons of this setup and let me know what you think.

"The Bridge" is gonna change everything!!

So unless you've been living under a rock, you have already heard about "The Bridge" but if for some reason you haven't basically it links Ableton + Serato Scratch Live together so that the can work seemlessly together. This has blown the doors off the DJ'ing, music making, and performing world. It open things up so much you almost don't know what to think at first.

I finally got my updates so I could try this made in HEAVEN setup and let me tell you, the little hamster wheel is spinning inside my head. But with this huge potential that has just opened up to all of us, this is gonna take a while to figure how to best use this in my, and I'm sure your guy's setups.

If you are lucky enough to own the Rane TTM57SL or the Rane 68, this setup means no more going to the studio to cut-up, clean-up, and master your mix for promo's or for selling CD's etc. Now Ableton will record all the audio as you play, it also records every midi movement, from knobs, to sliders, to buttons, even the cross fader. If you don't own those 2 mixers but instead use the SL1,SL3, or SL4 box. This setup still records audio from left and right decks but no knobs or faders, etc.

Whether your a producer who wishes to perform live or if you're a DJ who wishes to have more effects, or make your way into performing your own sounds or tracks, The Bridge has something for you. Rightly named The Bridge, this is the closest thing ever to bringing the DJ, producer, and performer in one setup.

To help wrap your mind around this here are the best videos at the moment explaining the potential. This first video explains performing with your beats, layering and looping.



The second video shows how Ableton can record your set, including all the automation.

How to create envelope curves in Ableton Live

I've had a some people ask if it's possible to add envelope curves in Ableton Live. It is! And here is how to do it.

The Bridge

If you've been following this site for a bit you might have been wondering why we haven't talked about "The Bridge" yet, well the main reason was we got hammered on New Years, but also we wanted to wait for some good videos to come out explaining in a more clear way how and what "The Bridge" does.

If you are unfamiliar Ableton and Rane announced in 2010 that they were partnering on a project aptly named "The Bridge" of course and basically what it does is it allows you to Rewire Ableton Live and Serato Scratch Live. Serato being the master and Ableton Live being the slave.

When we first heard about this partnership, we nearly passed out from excitement. This will open Pandora's box essentially as this means that just about anything is possible with this setup. Especially if you use the Rane ttm 57sl or 68 as Ableton Live will record all the fader and knob movements into Ableton which after your set you could go back and edit or share with others. This is bananas!

So anyways we will certainly be posting more videos on this setup soon but for now check out the guys from Ableton and Rane explain what they have made so far.

The difference between Serato's different playback modes

Serato Scratch Live has several different playback modes, each with their own purpose. But it seems not many DJ's know the real difference. Whenever I DJ out and work with other DJ's I've noticed many DJ's use Absolute mode, when really they should be using Relative mode. The biggest reason being is if you are in Relative mode and someone bumps your needle the song keeps on playing almost seamlessly. Also you have the ability to setup cue points. These 2 reasons are enough for most to understand why Relative mode trumps Absolute mode, yet I see many DJ's using Absolute mode.... if only they knew..

Creating your own snare drum with Ableton part 1

Using sample packs is fine for some, but have you ever made your very own snare or drum sounds from scratch using Ableton or any DAW for that matter? If you haven't or even if you have this tutorial, which is a 2 parter btw, will show some good methods on how to do this.

Here is part 1 where Nick shows us how it's done. For part 2 visit the link below this video.

Creating clip variations in Ableton live's clip editor

Today we look at short tutorial by Zettt1981. He shows us some good ways of creating clip variations in Ableton Live by adjusting start and end points, manipulating the transpose as well as adding effects like reverb.