How long does it run?

36 hours as a group course, or 20 hours 1-on-1.

What's the actual structure of the course?

It builds from Ableton basics through MIDI and audio, live performance and DJing, composing with virtual instruments, and advanced Live Suite techniques.

Can I take this remotely?

Yes - sessions are available in-person or Live Online.

Do I get support after the course ends?

Yes - expert-written reference materials are included so you can keep building on what you learned.

Is there a discount on Ableton Live itself?

Yes - enrolled students get a 40% EDU discount.

Ableton Live Class

Name: Ableton Live Class
Price: 1499 USD

Ableton Live Production Course

A Real-World Intro to Music Production

Want to make the music you love but feel overwhelmed by YouTube tutorials and endless how-to books? You're not alone—and you’re in the right place.

Let’s Get Going!

→How to set up: Audio and the preferences window
→Explore what makes Ableton different to other DAWs
→Applications of session view and arrangement view: when to use which
→Live concepts: clips / browser / scenes / library
→Launching clips
→The concept of Ableton’s unique warp engine
→An introduction to FX
→An introduction to instruments

Creating With MIDI & Audio

→How to quantize audio
→How warping works
→Clips – exploring clip view & properties of clips
→How to make beats with Drum Racks & Simpler sampling
→Live’s effects and employing third-party effects
→How to record MIDI and set up live looping
→Basic routing and resampling
→Automation – how to create dynamic change in arrangements

DJing and Live Performance

→Preparing whole tracks (warping) and harmonic mixing
→‘On-the-fly’DJ effects
→Grouping tracks and basic routing
→How to use MIDI controllers more effectively / mouse-free control
→Bespoke Ableton controllers – Akai, Push and Novation
→Structuring your sets & using loops
→How to record your performance & edit the arrangement view
→Bouncing down

MIDI Tracks and Composing with Virtual Instruments

→Simpler – Learn to unlock the full potential of this simple sampler
→Drum Rack – Programming beats, how to chop up loops, manipulating sounds, vocals and tracks – making rhythms from any sound source and also exploring the technique of Slice to MIDI.
→Grooves & how to extract them
→Using & controlling virtual instruments from third party developers
→Setting up controllers via MIDI keyboard or drum pad
→How to get creative with MIDI effects

Recording Techniques and an Introduction to Sound Design

→Balancing – an introduction to the art of mixing. Group tracks and advanced uses of routing
→The recording patch in detail, & an introduction to gain structure
→EQ and compression for recording
→Introduction to sound waves, frequency & amplitude
→Foldback, headphone mixes & latency
→Microphones overview and stereo mic-ing techniques
→Recording specific aspects of Ableton
→Digital, analog, sampling rate and bit-rate explained
→How to compile audio takes

Advanced Techniques

→Advanced warping – manipulate classical music, a capellas and anything else without beats!
→Clip envelopes – how to use the unique loop-based technique, unique to Ableton, for automation on audio fx,, midi fx and instruments. Learn to achieve complex music, sound and rhythm manipulation with ease.
→Multi-track warping
→An introduction to Racks & Chains – their powerful hidden features. Also includes how to layer FX and instruments
→Bringing all automation types together – and how to create build-ups and break-downs with complex sounds.

Our Ableton Production Course is the perfect hands-on introduction to music production. Based on our full Electronic Music Producer Program, this streamlined 36-hour course gives you the essential tools, techniques, and creative confidence to start making music you're proud of.

You'll get straight into the action with guided, practical sessions using Ableton Live—the revolutionary DAW powering music across the globe. Whether you join us in-person or LIVE online, you'll finish the course with real skills, a real track, and a real understanding of how to bring your ideas to life.

No guesswork. Just music, made by you.

“I needed to brush up on something, so I called Garnish, as they have the best instructors” – Jamie Jones

Ableton Live has revolutionized how producers create and perform—its unique Session View makes it an unbeatable tool for jamming, experimenting, and evolving ideas in real time. Its intuitive layout makes it perfect for beginners, while its depth keeps even seasoned pros coming back for more.

Our Ableton Production Course is ideal whether you're just getting started or you've already dabbled and want to fill in the gaps. With expert instruction and hands-on guidance, you'll build a solid foundation, sharpen your workflow, and unlock the full creative potential of Ableton Live.

In Portland this course is deliberately small: a handful of students, one working producer, and plenty of time on the equipment. If getting to the studio is not practical, the same classes run live online, using our specialist music collaboration software, Muse. Discover qualities that distinguish us, here.

Good to know

Questions we hear a lot.

Tuition

$1499 + $100 Registration if booked 14 days before start or $1799 + $200 Registration