See What Ableton Move Can Do
Say Hello to Ableton Move
Ableton Move is a compact, standalone tool for instinctive music making.
With a rechargeable battery and a built-in processor, microphone, and speaker, it’s the ideal companion for creating on the go. Pick it up, get an idea down, capture and shape sounds in seconds. Move is ready when you are. Take a first look.
Head to the Ableton shop to get yours now.
Creating beats with Leap, modern loop engine
What is sample manipulation?
Sample manipulation involves altering digitally recorded audio (samples) to create new sounds. Techniques include time-stretching, pitch-shifting, reversing, chopping, looping, filtering, and layering. Producers often use these methods to fit samples into new tempos, keys, or styles, transforming them creatively for unique compositions.
How do you loop a sample?
There are various ways to loop a sample depending on the software that you use. Most samplers and audio editors feature one or more loop modes that allow you to repeat a sample indefinitely.
In terms of jamming with live sample loops, many musicians use dedicated “looper” hardware or software, and Kontakt 8’s Leap feature is a dedicated looper feature that makes looping samples easy whether you’re a beginner or seasoned pro.
Creating a beat with Leap
1. Selecting a Leap kit
Load up Kontakt 8 on a MIDI track in your DAW. To see the Leap Expansions that are available to you, click the Leap button below the search bar.
How to write a disco song using Komplete 15 Select (Band Edition)
What is the structure of a disco song?
Disco songs usually follow a traditional verse-chorus structure. They often begin with an intro before introducing the groove, which is followed by verses and a catchy chorus. Later in the song a bridge or instrumental breakdown adds variation. Repetitive hooks and groove are central to maintaining an energetic feel throughout, and disco songs will usually end with a danceable, extended outro.
What makes a song a disco song?
A disco song is characterized by a steady four-on-the-floor beat, syncopated bass, and use of instrumentation such as strings, horns, and electric keyboards. Their tempo is upbeat, designed for dancing, with a repetitive, groove-oriented rhythm. Disco emphasizes lush orchestration, catchy melodies, and soulful vocals.
How to write a disco song
1. Starting with samples
Let’s get a headstart on this project by using a string loop from the Disco & Funk Leap Expansion. Create a new MIDI track, then add Kontakt and select the Leap category. Click the Disco & Funk Expansion, and double-click the Leapadelic Kit preset in the list on the right-hand side of the interface.
How to produce a tech house track
How to create a tech house track
Most tech house producers use DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) software to make tech house tracks. In this walkthrough we’ll demonstrate how to make a tech house track using the DAW Ableton Live, along with instruments and effects from Komplete 15 Select Electronic Edition.
How to structure a tech house track
Tech house tracks are often based around a rhythmic “DJ-friendly” intro, which leads into a beatless breakdown, followed by a drop where the beats and bass kick in. This guide will show you how to make tech a house arrangement in addition to crafting each element.
What makes a good tech house track
A good tech house track features an energetic house beat, an infectious bass line, and some kind of catchy vocal or melodic hook.
How to make a Latin trap beat
What is a Latin beat?
Historically a Latin beat refers to rhythmic patterns commonly found in Latin music, though today, when people talking about a “Latin beat,” they might be referring to genres like Latin trap or reggaeton. Latin trap, in particular, has gained global popularity, characterized by its syncopated rhythms, heavy bass, and urban influences, while still drawing from Latin musical roots. Latin trap is sometimes called “trap Latino” or “trapeton,” a nod to its reggaeton roots.
How to make a Latin trap beat
1. Programming a drum part
Begin by setting your DAW to 100 BPM.
Instant sonic inspiration with Phrases & Chords Tools
Tools are sophisticated MIDI effects that can be used with any Kontakt instrument – old or new. This adds a whole new layer of creativity to Kontakt. Whether it’s high quality curated MIDI content, smart randomization features, or innovative new ways to transform material, Tools can help jumpstart your creative process.
The first two Kontakt 8 Tools to be released are Chords and Phrases. Chords lets you quickly write and customize chord progressions, while Phrases is an inspiring melody creation tool. Both are designed to be fast and fun to use, but with deep customization options that will satisfy producers of any experience level.
How do you get creative with chord progressions?
One easy way to get creative with your chord progressions is by exploring the Chords Tool for Kontakt 8. Writing interesting chord progressions is one of the most challenging tasks in music production – particularly if you haven’t had years of music theory training. But Chords makes the process painless.
Over 100 sophisticated preset progressions get you started quickly. From there, you can get creative by using advanced customization features to transform your chord progression in smart and surprising ways. With the Chords Tool, you don’t need to labor over a MIDI keyboard for hours to come up with a good chord progression. It’s right there at your fingertips.
Writing effective chord progressions with Chords
Here’s how to create fun chord progressions with Kontakt 8’s new Chords Tool. We’re going to use these chords as the basis for a new sketch – we’ll add a melody after.
To start, pick a preset from the Chords menu. There are over 100 to choose from, each with seven chords that can be played in any order you choose.
Creating sci-fi sounds with Conflux
How to create sci-fi sound?
To create compelling sci-fi sounds, you need to start with clear sound-shaping goals. Are you designing laser sound effects for a space battle scene, writing an evocative soundtrack for a sci-fi video game, or making abstract textures to enhance your next electronic track?
Next, find a synth, sampler, or other electronic instrument that has the right features to achieve this goal.
In the below examples, we’ll walk you through this process with four different sci-fi sounds, from cosmic musical elements to futuristic foley.
We used Conflux to create our sci-fi sounds. Conflux offers a number of features that make it ideal for this task. A powerful wavetable synth engine – including the coveted wavetables from the legendary PPG wave – is primed for evocative sci-fi textures.
Extensive modulation options make it easy to twist and sculpt sounds in bold ways – particularly the frequency, pulse, and ring modulation capabilities.
Finally, a battery of pro-level Native Instruments effects make it easy to dial in cosmic delays, outer-space reverbs, and other futuristic sonics.
Why upgrade to Kontakt 8? Exploring what’s new
New to Kontakt?
If you’re totally new to the Native Instruments ecosystem, Kontakt is the virtual instrument platform used across the industry by leading producers, sound designers, and studios. It hosts the world’s largest range of virtual instruments from Native Instruments, official partners, and scores of indie developers. Plus, everything is completely tweakable, so you can make any sound your own.
With an unmatched range of sounds and advanced manipulation capabilities, Kontakt sets benchmarks for everything from meticulously sampled acoustic instruments to futuristic sound design. Find out more or try out the free version: Kontakt Player.
Why upgrade to Komplete 15? What’s new
Comparing Komplete 15 versions
For a breakdown of all the products that have been added to the individual Komplete 15 bundles since the Komplete 14 generation, check out this table.
Komplete 15 Standard
Packed with legendary synths, sampled instruments, and effects, Komplete 15 Standard comes with all the sounds you need – whatever music you’re making. This edition offers more than 95 pro-grade instruments and effects, over 40 Expansions, and over 50,000 sounds.
Komplete 15 Ultimate
Discover an extensive array of tools for professional production, scoring, performance, and sound design. Komplete 15 Ultimate includes over 150 premium instruments and effects, ranging from cutting-edge synths to detailed symphonic sample libraries, and more than 70 Expansion sound packs.
Komplete 15 Collector’s Edition
Unlock nearly everything Native Instruments have ever created with Komplete 15 Collector’s Edition. It’s an incredibly wide-ranging collection that offers more than 165 top-tier instruments and effects, along with a total of 120 Expansion sound packs, providing unparalleled resources for professional production, scoring, performance, and sound design.