How I Make Generative Music in Ableton Live 11 Suite

Here's an Ableton Live tutorial about my strategies for making generative music. Most of the ambient-adjacent music I've made over the past two years has come to life using techniques and tricks detailed in this video!

Here's a link to download the Ableton Live set I'm using in the video (clicking the link will immediately download the file):

Check out the full versions of these songs:

Follow the links to see everything else I make -

00:00 - intro
00:29 - about generative music
01:16 - about my generative music
01:48 - input MIDI signal
02:20 - Melody Terrain - Wavetable synth MIDI
04:30 - Melody Terrain - Wavetable synth instrument
05:29 - Melody Terrain - marimba
05:45 - a note about rests
06:10 - Melody Terrain - marimba MIDI
07:29 - Melody Terrain - marimba instrument
08:13 - Industrial Oasis Zen Bowls
10:39 - Industrial Oasis bansuri
12:29 - Industrial Oasis - all instruments in
13:25 - Stargazing guitars
13:55 - Stargazing chords
15:29 - Stargazing electric piano
16:24 - Stargazing - all instruments in
18:02 - about the Pitch device kill-switches
19:09 - outro - thanks for watching :)

[MasonLynass]

sorry to anyone who tried to download the file when it wasn't working! I fixed the link in the description, let me know if it doesn't work!

[patshep]

Very helpful for me. I’ve been working with someone who uses this type of thing and I love Eno, it’s time I delved in myself

[Gallanitte]

I started this video a couple of times but kept pausing because I felt it deserved my full attention and maybe even some note-taking. I finally sat down to watch properly, and I am blown away by the depth of knowledge you have shared. It is clear this comes from years of experience, and I truly appreciate your generosity in making it accessible. The music is fantastic, the techniques are deep, and the system you built and even shared as an Ableton set is nothing short of amazing. There is so much value in this video that I would donate something if I could, but instead, I am heading to your Bandcamp to buy some music. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[phule]

You're an actual god for providing the ableton file. subbscribed!

[dovlev]

dude this is so sick. Big thank you for showing us these wicked signal chains!

[dudewhodoesnotwanttobeknown]

Crazy work man, its amazing. thinking that everything is done almost automatically, i imagine the computer having fun with weird instrument, so lovely

[everettmajor]

This just opened up an entire new world for me! I have been on a Brian Eno craze for awhile, and decided to dip my toes into ambient music. This seems to have taken me to the next level. I like how easy your setup is to make the system quickly but unique for the piece!

[wahspec]

What a cool way of working. I've been listening to some home-baked ambiances for the past 30 minutes or so. :) Thanks for sharing!

[roymitchell]

Thank you so much for the huge inspiration and for sharing what goes on behind the curtain. Thank you!

[danielfishman]

Fascinating - I remember playing with Koan, back in the day. Thanks for sharing your Live set - very generous of you.

[sksession]

Thanks so much! Great ideas!! Great atmosphere in your sounds

[denonmam]

so sick i would love to see you live one day

[PoE.Farmer]

That was absolutely amazing, thank you for showing us your workflow/set design.

[lalolanda]

you are a midi monster!! thank you for sharing!

[AlexTrimpe]

Funny coincidence. I am starting to learn how to make generative ambient music. I'm also interested in modular synthesis.. and I'm moving to Seattle in 2 months from the east coast. Can't wait to check out that event! And maybe play some day ..

[JonDigitalTV]

This is really amazing. So many great ideas. Thank you :)

[londreslush]

Nice work, useful informative video, thanks for sharing ..

[reptilyan]

this is brilliant thanks for the video💕

[rfj_]

Really nice. Would you mind clarifying exactly how you are generating rests? I’ve watched a few times and keep missing the actual devices / process. Thanks!

[wdekeizer]

amazing. having trouble downloading the ZIP.