Niecy Blues: Spiritual Sci-Fi Ambient from the South
South Carolina-based producer and singer-songwriter Niecy Blues discusses the making of her astonishing gospel-influenced experimental RnB album Exit Simulation.
Take a deep dive into beats and rhymes with this collection of posts featuring hip hop producers from around the world. Learn new techniques, grab some free downloads, and find out what inspires these diverse beatmakers.
H31R: Finding HeadSpace
JWords of experimental electronic hip-hop duo H31R details the evolution of the group’s unique sound and shares some of the production techniques behind their album HeadSpace.
Kiefer: How To B U
LA-based keyboard wiz and beatmaker Kiefer talks about his latest Stones Throw album and how his jazz upbringing made him want to demystify music theory and share his techniques.
HiTech: Reinventing Ghettotech
Detroit-based group HiTech delve into their intuitive approach to producing beats, chopping vocals and the hip-hop and techno lineage of ghettotech.
Cloudchord: Tending the Bloom Bap Garden
Chillhop producer Cloudchord discusses how to develop loops into full songs, provides tips for guitarists and beatmakers and shares a free Amp Rack and stems.
Good Timing – Beatmaking with Auto-Warp in Live 11.3
Warp longer samples or entire songs to the grid with Live 11.3’s improved Auto-Warp algorithm.
Beat Generation: Making Lo-Fi Hip Hop on the New Push
Learn how Jamie Blake brings life to his lo-fi melodies and finger drummed beats on Push’s new expressive pads.
Tiger JK: The Korean Rap Legend on Beats, Rhymes and Life
With Drunken Tiger he was one of the originators of Korean hip-hop, now Tiger JK is starting fresh and talks about making his own beats in Ableton Live.
Afriqua Presents Principles of Black Music: Improvisation
Afriqua’s Principles of Black Music series examines Improvisation – spontaneous creation between chaos and structure as the ultimate source and engine of music.
Kenny Beats: Connecting the D.O.T.S
Rap mega-producer Kenny Beats in an extensive interview with Ableton on making beats and making a career
ZULI: A Very Modern Sampler
Cairo-based producer ZULI discusses methods of sampling and composition using DJ tools and Ableton Live
Kaelin Ellis: The Internet’s Busiest Music Producer
Kaelin Ellis in conversation with Ableton about production tools and techniques, collaborating with Lupe Fiasco, sharing sounds through social media and more.
Studies in Sound: Arbour on Lo-fi, Beats and Musical Exploration
Lo-fi beats artist Arbour reflects on his musical development, production process and influences. Free sample pack included.
Justus West: Nurturing Creativity
Prodigious talent Justus West balances restless creativity and business as an in-demand beatmaker
Just Feeling It: Mapping Liv.e’s Musical Evolution
Modern soul artist Liv.e shares insight into her musical evolution and creative process
Knxwledge: Staying in ‘Go’ Mode
World-conquering beatsmith Knxwledge opens up about his working practices and relentless productivity
Made in Ableton Live: Freddie Joachim
Freddie Joachim chops up some Rhodes samples, slices drum breaks and lays down some live guitar in Ableton Live.
Make 10,000 Beats: The Story of STLNDRMS
Atlanta-based producer STLNDRMS lifts the lid on his sampling and mixing processes and shares some wisdom for young beatmakers.