digitalworship.net

Last I discussed getting started with Live and a worship song. I’ve got a second and thought I would share a couple tips on ways to “enhance” your basic loops.

1. Search and download some sampled shaker and tambourine loops. Usually I will use a shaker to enhance loops I use for the verses and tambourines for chorus/bridges. Pan them out (shakers left, tambos right usually).

2. Listen to the new steve fee album and you will hear a lot of ‘clicks’ helping keep the rhythm. check out audiopervert.com and download their free sample set and you can find something similar to that in there. Just like above create a clicky rhythm that sits well with the loop and it might be just what it needs. If I do this I will usually use one of Ableton’s Delays (my fav is the filter) to create some cool textures or rhythms.

Here is a screen shot of the delay I use on a Tomlin song where I do this and a the click that sits with another loop:

Click Example

3) Rhythm Enhancers are loops created to… well… enhance your existing loops. You can check out sample craze’s (www.sample craze) hiphop loops which have these or you can be a little creative and sample out some of your favorite loops and then apply high and low pass filters in Live to EQ out specific frequencies. Its usually times I do this that people notice my loops and ask “did you do that?” And the answer is… yup.

4) And last for today, a good way to enhance your basic loop is to create over all filter delays. This is similar to the click mentioned above, but applies to the entire loop. A good start is to use all three channels of the Filter Delay in Live (L, R and LR) panning certain frequencies to each side. I usually keep my higher (hats, top of snare hits, etc) to the right (to create space in the loop cause it is normally coming through on the opposite side) and lower to the left and with a short delay (1 or 2) and quick decay. Try this and keep the mids in the middle. Mess around with where the delay hits and you will quickly be satisfies at how your loops sound more creative.

DISCLAIMER: This is one man’s version of how to implement Ableton Live in worship. Obviously there are may other ways.

Ableton Live is in my opinion one of the best resources for worship leaders who might be looking to add more color/a modern feel to their sets, as well as (as is most cases) if you are lacking certain instruments/musicians.

Basically Ableton Live functions as a loop based instrument (when its used in a live performance). You are able to create your own loops with Abletons built in instruments and effects (as well as any other 3rd party VST/AU effects/instruments), or load and use stock loops you have purchased or downloaded from a 3rd party. Both are killer options and I do both. I also use Live as a full DAW as well.

It all begins with getting your session set up. First you need to know what song, its tempo and time signature. The song is obviously up to you. You’ll need to know the time signature, such as 4/4, 3/4, 6/8 etc. Plug that in in the header of Ableton and then set the BPM. The tap tempo is a good resource if you are wanting to keep around the same tempo of the original song. Just click a couple beats in and your set.

Once I’ve got that rolling its all about creating a simple loop (or using a stock loop you’ve purchased). For the sake of being original I’ll assume your gonna create your own. For most of our songs I create a simple loop (check out the loops page for an example) using the impluse instrument in Live. Keep it simple is usually the key. I suggest using alternate samples/sounds (other than typical drum sounds) for this.

Start by recording the length of the loop. How many bars will it be? Once you’ve got that make sure its lined up properly and turn on the metronome. I usually start by playing out (on my trigger finger) the kick and snare pattern. Once thats down I layer in some sort of high hat section. Then I have a couple custom Impulse kits that I have “flavor sounds” that I add here and there to make it my own (usually glitchy or odd samples I have found over the years). Be creative but keep, and I’ll say it again, keep it simple. To much can be… well, to much.

Sometimes this is all people need… they either have a full band or they keep it simple and dont require more. Often I strip things down for a set and rock just acoustic guitar, piano and a loop that get brought in and out of the FOH mix. I usually dig these sets.

Ill end here for this one. Just an intro I guess. Next I’ll talk about using this in a set and staying in time. And just so you know where we’re headed… I’ll also hit on (1) tips for improving your loops (2) creating the hook of a song (3) options for triggering loops or “playing along” with a pre tracked song (4) routing options (5) making it easy for your sound guy, and I’m sure more along the way will come up.

I’ve searched the internet and music stores. I’ve talked with other worship leaders. Here is what I have found to be the most useful “rig” when it comes to loops and multi-tracks being used in worship:

1. Ableton Live 6.0

2. Apple Laptop (I currently have a MacBook)

3. Sample Sets/Loops

* www.smartloops.com

* www.naturalgrooves.com

* www.audiopervert.com

* (check out a post called “samples” for a couple other resources)

4. M-Audio Trigger Finger

5. M-Audio Axiom 61

6. Presonus Firebox Interface

7. Ableton Live Essential Instrument Collection

8. M-Audio Key Rig/ Drum and Bass (although they havent released a Intel Mac Patch yet)

9. Apple Logic Pro (not totally necessary)

10. Wave Arts (http://www.wavearts.com/) plugins

11. Audacity Audio Editor (It’s FREE!) (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/)

Some people have asked why I dont use Reason or other programs and my response is that I am able to accomplish everything I need with Ableton Live. Reason is a great program though and you could check it out but my first recommendation is for Live.

When you sequence drum layers into a set you need good drum samples. Here are two sites I have tapped into to create the sounds I use weekly.

1. http://www.samplecraze.com - has both sample sets (look at their hip hop samples) and loops you can use straight out the of the folder

2. http://www.peaceloveproductions.com/ - has some killer loops (especially their warped loops) you can implement right away.

The question is, “why this?” Why another blog on worship? The simple answer is that I am unaware of any other site that addresses, specifically how worship music and elements such as loops, multitracks and other digital elements can be implemented into the worship setting.

I am a worship leader. I use ableton live like crazy - mostly out of necessity, partly cause it is fun :). I have found a killer nitch when it comes to hwo these two world collide and I am convinced that there needs to be a movement in how we network and resource other leaders in similar situations.

Enjoy.