After using Ableton for about 3 months now I can safely say that it’s a fantastic tool for DJs and producers alike, probably more so for the former. The reason I say that is because it’s more of a user friendly effects driven kind of programme that you can load loops or songs into and fiddle around for ages making it squeak and squeal then drop and sound all crunchy. I don’t produce at the moment but if I did I would imagine that the capabilities of Ableton wouldn’t match the kinds of things that can be done in Logic in terms of drum and synth creation. However, if I produced stuff in Logic then I’d like to run it through Ableton and just fiddle around with it because it’d probably allow you to think about your tune in a whole new way.
Anyway, I’m getting away from my gimpy DJing observation…. I have used decks for years and really enjoyed it but as you’ll see from some of my other posts the capabilities are limited in comparison to CDJs or whatever. So recently I’ve been thinking more and more about DJing solely with live and midi controllers, but then I thought I’d go for Ableton and a deck, then I thought a CDJ a deck and Ableton…now I’m back to just Ableton and midi!! AAAAAHHHHHH!! I can’t really make my mind up for the following reasons…
Firstly I love vinyl and everything that goes with it, the sound, scratching and the all round feel. That’s why I thought Ableton and a deck but the kind of stuff I want to do with Ableton isn’t really compatible with a deck, looping and heavy effects use. Oh I dunno.
Secondly, if I was to just use Ableton on its own I then I’d just look like I was doing my e mails….if I was to ever get a set somewhere…..so sad. Having said that, one of the best sets I’ve ever seen was Luke Vibert on a tiny apple mac. If we/I were going to do everything on a laptop then I’d like to have visuals along with the set to take the focus away from the fact that I’m pressing keys and stuff but that might all change if I had a few midi controllers all whurling away.
Right, basically I want to do something with Ableton in a DJing capacity and I’d like to use a deck for scratching and stuff. I guess if it sounds good then nobody will care how I’m making the sound. There are plenty of people out there just using that PCDJ thing and nobody cares – where’s the skill though, where’s the demonstration of the skill? Is it needed? I say learn the trade on decks and vinyl then graduate to other mediums. No hang on…that’s not the point I was trying to make….I’m gonna use Ableton and midi and f*ck whoever wants to have a go coz I/we could take it to the decks too!!!
Watch this space for more incoherent and pointless ramblings. This is the kind of stuff I think about on a hourly basis whilst at work, rest and play – why? Because I love it!!
