If you have been trying to learn Live by watching YouTube videos and reading forum posts, you should really consider taking the Ableton Live - DJ/Performance course with Point Blank online. It helped me get over the frustration of trying to learn new software and performance techniques.
Let me explain.
I am a Traktor user that wants to use Live for making edits and remixes. But the learning curve is steep and it can be a real party-pooper when you can't do simple things like warp a track. Making any real progress seemed almost impossible. So I decided it was time to take the plunge and get some training. I looked at most of the online courses and, quite honestly, chose Point Blank because they had an Ableton course with a solid curriculum, required the smallest investment in time (4 weeks), and was the least expensive.
My expectations were simple: learn to warp, midi map, and use effects while making DJ mixes. But the course went so much deeper. There is discussion on various controllers/hardware, perfecting your DJ mixes with automation/overdubbing, preparing your sets and setting up for a gig, integrating with other performers, and much more. It is allot of information, but it is structured very well. Plus you can access the content for one year.
I went from barely being able to warp a track to making a 20+ minute DJ mix that used loops and cue points, different warp modes and transient settings, follow actions, performance effects, and mixing beats, basses, and melodies from different songs. Don't get me wrong - my performance is really rough and I need more practice. But at least I am making progress, and that is what makes it so much fun.
The best part is that you got a DVR every week. You upload your project and the instructor reviews your work and gives suggestions on how to improve - in a video. I learn by seeing and doing, so having a video critique is extremely beneficial to my learning process. The course instructor was so enthusiastic and talented, it really made me want to try harder. Plus he was very forgiving about late assignments and made time to give you a video review. Very cool.
In comparison, I am taking a Dubspot course for Traktor and it's totally disappointing. The videos can be long and unfocused, you only get an audio review of your assignment, and they are very strict about late work. If your assignment is late, too bad, no review for you. And it's moving so slow. After four weeks we have not really learned anything about the software or DJ performance. To be fair, the course is geared for people with zero DJ experience. My hope is that we will pick up momentum in the next phases, as my goal is to Jedi Master the Traktor program. I don't hate on Dubspot, maybe their other courses are better?
I am not a Point Blank pimp. I just had a great experience taking their course and know what it is like to stare at the Live screen and think, "WTF???" So I hope this may help a few people.
Please feel free to comment/question/flame.
Thanks!
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