AnneX is developing a number of tutorials on Ableton Live, Push 2, hardcore / frenchcore music production, and the theory behind all of this. These are available for free on YouTube, and the materials for these are available for download here.

If you benefited from these free materials, please give her a follow on the platforms that you use to support her! And invest in some AnneX swag

 

 

Quick Reference Guides

• Chord progression cheat sheet 
  • Explanation
• Instrument frequency (Hz) cheat sheet 
• BPM (tempo) to note length (ms) cheat sheet 
  • Explanation
•  Kick theory diagram (watch Tutorial )
•  Note/Pitch (ABCDEFG) to frequency (Hz) conversion
  • Explanation 
  • Note! There are two different standards for pitch classification. The default setting in your DAW (Ableton, Logic, FL) corresponds to this cheat sheet. E.g., C3 = Middle C = 262Hz (i.e., A3=440Hz, not A4=440Hz.)
  • The other standard is ISO/ASA 16, and follows A4=440Hz. This cheat sheet is here. 

 

Plugins Etc.

• Sidechain reverb preset for Ableton Live (watch Tutorial)
• GTune – a free VST that displays current note and frequency for accurate instrument tuning

• Virtual Audio Cable – route audio internally to record sounds playing from your computer
• Sine wave creator – a free online tool where you can see the effect of modifying amplitude and frequency on the resulting waveform
  •  Read more on sound wave properties
• Hardcore Beats II – VST for making frenchcore kicks, by Adrenokrome. Well worth the purchase. 

 

Samples Etc.

• General Guyble– super high-quality sample packs (hardcore, frenchcore, and rawstyle) and supporting tutorials
• Fragment Audio – free (and paid) sample packs for hardcore, frenchcore, rawstyle, hardstyle, industrial
• Cymatics – sample packs for tons of genres, free and paid
  • Template  for Ableton Hardcore Kick (I haven’t tried this one yet)
• Citizen DJ Labs – free-to-use audio and video collections from the US Library of Congress
• Musical Key Characteristics from Christian Schubart’s Ideen zu einer Aesthetik der Tonkunst (1806)

 

Applied Music Theory

• How to use a chord theory cheat sheet to find chord progressions for electronic music production 

• • Chord progression cheat sheet 

 

Ableton Live & Push 2 Series

• Basics of making and playing a live set using session view in Ableton Live and with Ableton Push 2
• Introduction to making chords, melodies, and harmonies in session view in Ableton Live and with Ableton Push 2
  • Project files
• Introduction to warping audio samples in Ableton session view & playing with Simpler using Push 2
  • Project files
• Introduction to setting up a drum rack with effects chains in Ableton Live session view with Push 2
• Setting up and playing the drum rack instrument in Ableton Live session view and with Ableton Push 2
• Introduction to playing clips and sessions in Ableton Live session view with the Push 2
• Setting up tracks, instruments, and groups in Ableton Live session view for consistency and variety

 

Kick Series

• Theory of a Frenchcore and Hardcore kick in electronic music – note length per BPM, bars, & sections
  •   Kick theory diagram 
• Setup of a Frenchcore and Hardcore kick in Ableton Live session view – Tracks, midi, grouping, & effects chains
• How to use a note/pitch to frequency conversion matrix
  • Cheat sheet for DAW/midi use 

 

Waveform Series

• Waveform construction of a Frenchcore kick & comparison of amplitude & frequency of a reference kick
• Introduction to frequencies (pitch) and harmony according to different instruments in hardcore and frenchcore electronic music production
• Mathematical basis of generating sound waveforms for electronic dance music production – modifying amplitude (loudness) and frequency (pitch)
• The science of sound waves to make electronic music – waveform math, additive synthesis, & harmonics

 

Effects Series

• How to sidechain your reverb in Ableton Live to make lead instruments more emotional
  • Sidechain reverb preset for Ableton Live
• How to apply, record, and edit effects (FX) in Ableton Live using automation envelopes  

 

Hardware & Setup Series

• Walk-thru of my studio setup and integration of my hardware and midi instruments with Ableton Live
• Introduction to setting up the Novation Bass Station II in Ableton Live for midi & audio