14 Best Ableton Courses Online

Here are the best Ableton courses to learn the basics of audio editing, MIDI sequencing, and more complex skills like making beats and audio mixing.

These courses will teach you how to use Ableton Live to produce music. You will learn Ableton’s interface and how to use it properly. You’ll also learn some primary effects and techniques that will help you on your music production journey.

With the help of online courses, you can learn Ableton Live quickly and effectively. These courses are taught by experts and professionals who have years of experience in using Ableton Live.

All these online Ableton courses are on Skillshare. You can get access to all these classes by signing up for a 30-day free trial. Cancel at any time.

Skillshare has over 28,000 online courses teaching all music production aspects from audio recording, music theory, mixing, piano, and more.

Best Ableton Courses Online For Beginners
Best Ableton Courses Online For Beginners

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The Best Ableton Courses Online

  1. First Steps of Digital Music Production
  2. MIDI Overview
  3. Shape Your Own Audio & Beats
  4. Finishing a Track
  5. Create, Record & Edit Music
  6. The Ultimate Crash Course
  7. Ableton Live For Beginners
  8. Create A Master Template
  9. Getting Started with Ableton Live
  10. The Interface & Basics
  11. Mixing in Ableton Live
  12. Ultimate Ableton Live – Interface Basics
  13. Produce A Song ( Recording & Mixing )
  14. Learn To DJ In Ableton Live
  15. Best Ableton Live Accessories

1. Ableton Live I: The First Steps of Digital Music Production

Ableton Live I: The First Steps of Digital Music Production
Ableton Live I: The First Steps of Digital Music Production

Learn about Ableton Live in this hour-long introduction. Get a better understanding of the interface, settings, and browser. You will learn about the difference between audio clips, tracks, and scenes.

Students: 12,850+ | Rating: 86%

What’s Covered

  • Finding Your Way Around
  • Essential Preferences
  • Saving Your Work
  • Organizing Clips on Tracks and Scenes
  • Clip Launch and Quantize
  • Clip View 101
  • Live Browser 101
  • Search and User Folders
  • Browsers and Tracks
  • What is Warping?
  • Warp Modes

View Course


2. Ableton Live II: MIDI Overview

Ableton Live II: MIDI Overview
Ableton Live II: MIDI Overview

Here you will learn about MIDI, the industry standard for linking a wide array of musical instruments, devices, and computers. You will learn to create melodies, draw in drum beats, record MIDI sounds, and practice quantizing, which is a technique to align a track’s timing so that it sounds professional.

Students: 2,700+ | Rating: 96%

What’s Covered

  • What is MIDI?
  • Setting Up Your MIDI Controllers
  • Computer MIDI Keyboard
  • Key and MIDI Mapping
  • MIDI Clips 101 – The Piano Roll
  • Finding Drum Sounds
  • Pencil a Drum Beat
  • Editing MIDI 101
  • Getting Ready to Record MIDI
  • Recording MIDI drums
  • Recording MIDI Keys
  • Quantize 101
  • Quantizing MIDI Performances

View Course


3. Ableton Live III: Shape Your Own Audio & Beats

Ableton Live III: Shape Your Own Audio & Beats
Ableton Live III: Shape Your Own Audio & Beats

This course is all about working with audio samples. You will learn how to record and import sounds, work with various samples, make beats, and warp complete tracks.

At the end of the class, you will have a practical and thorough look at Live’s sample instruments and their use so that you can create the sounds you want.

Students: 1,850+ | Rating: 90%

What’s Covered

  • Audio Preferences and Dealing with Latency
  • Recording Audio in Session View
  • Recording Audio in Arrangement View
  • Beats Mode in Detail
  • Other Warp Modes in Detail
  • Sample Box Parameters
  • Warp Options in the Context Menu
  • Intermediate Warping Techniques
  • Cropping Clips
  • Clip To Sample Instrument
  • Impulse and Simpler 101
  • Drum Racks 101

View Course


4. Ableton Live IV: Finishing a Track

Ableton Live IV: Finishing a Track
Ableton Live IV: Finishing a Track

You will learn to finish and export full tracks in this Ableton class. Understand how to balance levels and add reverb in the mixer view.

Here you will explore why Session View works well for live performances while Arrangement view works better for remixing and production. Whether you are a musician, producer, or DJ, you will be able to polish and share a full track by the end of this course.

Students: 1,200+ | Rating: 90%

What’s Covered

  • Volume, Pan, Mute, Solo, Crossfader, and Cue Out
  • Return Tracks and Sends
  • I/O and Routing Between Tracks
  • Working with Live’s Audio Effects
  • EQs, Filters, and Dynamics Processors 101
  • Time-based Effects 101
  • Other FX 101
  • Automation 101
  • Recording Automation in Session View
  • Editing Automation Envelopes
  • Recording from Session View to Arrangement View
  • Back To Arrangement Button
  • Copy & Paste Clips Into Arrangement View
  • Editing in Arrangement View 101
  • Automation in Arrangement View 101
  • Exporting your Finished Song

View Course


5. Ableton Live 10 – Create, Record & Edit Music

Ableton Live 10 - Create, Record & Edit Music
Ableton Live 10 – Create, Record & Edit Music

This course is designed for students who want to create, record, and edit their own music in Ableton Live 10. Here you will learn about the tools and processes to create, record, and edit your music with the power of this software.

This is for Ableton Live Suite 10, and above so some of the features discussed in the course will only be available to those users.

Students: 2,600+ | Rating: 75%

What’s Covered

  • Main Overview
  • Getting Started
  • Creating the Music
  • Start Writing in MIDI
  • Adding Drums with the Drum Rack
  • Adding Final Ideas
  • New Instruments + Parts Overview
  • Final Set Organization Tips
  • Session View Arrangement
  • More Session View Arrangement Tips
  • Recording into the Arrangement View
  • Editions Comparison for Ableton Live 10
  • Editing in the Arrangement View
  • MIDI Editor Recap
  • Recording Audio
  • Warping Audio
  • Main Preferences
  • Downloading Packs
  • Control Bar
  • Browser
  • Chord Progressions
  • Melodies
  • Drum Beats
  • Unusual Chords
  • Wavetable

View Course


6. Ableton Live: The Ultimate Crash Course

Ableton Live: The Ultimate Crash Course
Ableton Live: The Ultimate Crash Course | Live Electronic Music

This course does not cover all the different features of the software but focuses on what you need to know to start creating your sounds. In this Ableton course, you will learn the basics about the workstation, the sound browser, and how to record audio and MIDI. It also includes an Ableton template to get you up and running quickly.

Students: 2,400+ | Rating: 75%

What’s Covered

  • Overview
  • Navigation
  • Browser
  • Audio Effects Rack
  • Using Clips
  • Recording

View Course


7. Music Production: Ableton Live 11 For Beginners

Music Production For Songwriters: Ableton Live 11 For Beginners
Music Production For Songwriters: Ableton Live 11 For Beginners

This Ableton course is explicitly designed for beginners who want to learn to produce their own music but have no idea how to start and what tools and equipment are needed.

Here you will learn the basics of music production from the unique perspective of someone who writes by ear. You will learn how to create chords from basic to high-level fundamentals without knowing how to play an instrument.

Students: 800+ | Rating: 99%

What’s Covered

  • Creating & Saving Live Sets
  • Interface Overview
  • Session View
  • Arrange View
  • Creating Chords Using MIDI
  • Record & Edit Audio
  • Song Arrangement

View Course


8. Create A Master Template for Ableton Live

Create A Master Template for Ableton Live
Create A Master Template for Ableton Live

Speed up your Ableton Live efficiency by creating a master template so you can simply open a new session and get creative immediately. The teacher will share tips and tricks that he has learned over the years of studying with the best Ableton producers so you can understand the strategy behind suggestions and modify your template when you need to.

Students: 800+ | Rating: 47%

What’s Covered

  • Bus & Summing Channels
  • Audio & MIDI
  • Plug-ins
  • Sidechain
  • MIDI Mapping
  • Saving the Template

View Course


9. Getting Started with Ableton Live 11 – Production Basics

Getting Started with Ableton Live 11 - Music Production Basics
Getting Started with Ableton Live 11 – Music Production Basics

This course will guide you through a step-by-step process so you understand the song creation process in Ableton Live. You will learn critical features while building a short and simple track. This class will help you explore various techniques, including keyboard shortcuts, recording audio, working with MIDI tracks, and adding audio effects to improve your performances.

Students: 250+ | Rating: 75%

What’s Covered

  • Objectives of this Course
  • Audio Interface Setup
  • MIDI Keyboard Setup
  • Session View vs. Arrangement View
  • Browser
  • Take Folders – Vocal and Audio Comping Explained
  • Working with MIDI Clips and Instruments
  • Recording and Editing Audio Tracks
  • Audio and MIDI Effects
  • Creating a Rough Mix for a Song Demo
  • Performance

View Course


10. Ultimate Ableton Live – The Interface & Basics

Ultimate Ableton Live - The Interface & Basics
Ultimate Ableton Live – The Interface & Basics

This is the first part of six classes to bring you the most comprehensive manual on Ableton Live production techniques. This course covers the basic interface of Ableton Live with 26 lessons.

Students: 6,200+ | Rating: 98%

What’s Covered

  • Overview
  • Session Vs. Arrangement
  • Arrangement Overview
  • Session Overview
  • Getting Around Intro
  • Info View
  • Help View
  • Navigation
  • Arrangement Navigation
  • Session Navigation
  • Clip View
  • Adding Content Intro
  • Preferences
  • Browser
  • Signal Flow
  • Recording
  • Record To Arrange
  • Deconstruction 1
  • Intro to Editing
  • Editing and Looping Audio
  • Editing MIDI and Quantizing
  • Automation

View Course


11. Mixing in Ableton Live: A Creative Approach

Mixing in Ableton Live: A Creative Approach
Mixing in Ableton Live: A Creative Approach

This course covers problem-solving and creative methods to elevate your mixes to professional standards using the audio effects included in Ableton Live. Although this class is designed for Ableton users, the concepts explained can be applied in any other DAW.

Students: 2,100+ | Rating: 82%

What’s Covered

  • Importing Stems
  • Volume, EQ, & Reverb
  • Panning & Widening
  • Compression
  • Advanced Ableton Racks

View Course


12. Ultimate Ableton Live – The Interface & The Basics

Ultimate Ableton Live
Ultimate Ableton Live

This class uses Ableton Live 10, and it is the first part of six complete classes. The course brings you the most comprehensive manual on Ableton Live production techniques. Each class has sessions, sets, and experiments for students to try and follow along with.

Students: 2,100+ | Rating: 96%

What’s Covered

  • The 2 Views
  • Arrangement View
  • Session View
  • New in 10
  • Navigation Overview
  • Info View
  • Help View
  • Navigation
  • The Main Sequencer
  • The Clip Slot Grid
  • Clip View
  • Adding Content Overview
  • The Preferences
  • The Browser
  • Signal Flow
  • Recording Audio
  • Record To Arrange
  • Capture
  • Session Deconstruction
  • Editing Overview
  • Timeline Functions And Looping
  • MIDI Editing And Quantizing
  • Automation
  • Groove Pool
  • Session Deconstruction

View Course


13. Ableton Live – Produce A Song ( Recording & Mixing )

Ableton Live - Produce A Song ( Vocal Recording, Arrangement, Mixing, Mastering)
Ableton Live – Produce A Song ( Vocal Recording, Arrangement, Mixing, Mastering)

This course will show you how to make music with Ableton Live and provide you with a workflow that you can adapt to your own creative process. You will learn Session View’s main features and how to record both MIDI and audio.

Students: 1,100+ | Rating: 92%

What’s Covered

  • Introduction To The Session View
  • MIDI & Virtual Instruments
  • Audio & Recording (Setup & Equipment)
  • Audio & MIDI Effects
  • How To Use Return Tracks & Sends
  • Arrange Your Song (In Session View)
  • Record The Song From Session View To The Arrangement View
  • Editing & Arrangement (Arrangement View)
  • How To Use EQ (Equalizer)
  • How To Use a Compressor
  • Simple Ways To Master Your Track
  • Exporting Your Track

View Course


14. Learn To DJ In Ableton Live – DJ Mixtape & Radio Show

 Learn To Dj In Ableton Live - Dj Mixtape & Radio Show in Ableton Tutorial
Learn To Dj In Ableton Live – Dj Mixtape & Radio Show in Ableton Tutorial

Here you will learn to create a full mixtape and transition from one track to another. You will learn to make pre-made sets without any prior knowledge of music production or DJing. The course is designed so that complete beginners and advanced users can benefit from it and expand their knowledge in DJ mixtape creation.

Students: 950+ | Rating: 72%

What’s Covered

  • How to Get Ableton Live For Free
  • Session View
  • Controls
  • The Browser
  • Arrangement View
  • Warping & Warping Modes
  • Clip Envelopes
  • The Mixer
  • MIDI Editing & Warping
  • Automation
  • Automation Parameters
  • Capture MIDI
  • Grouping Tracks
  • EQ & Filtering
  • Delay & Reverb
  • Preferences
  • Choosing Audio Files
  • Create Voice Over & How To Get Voice Overs
  • How to Transition from One Track To Another
  • Creating The Mixtape
  • Creating The Mixtape

View Course


Best Ableton Live Accessories

Here are the most popular Ableton Live products on Amazon.

Last update on 2024-03-24 / Affiliate Disclaimer


Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ableton Easy To Learn?

Understanding the basics of Ableton is relatively simple. The minimalistic interface and pre-installed instruments and sounds make it easy for beginners to get on board quickly. The workflow features and easy-to-use tools make Live one of the most simple DAWs to learn.


Where Can I Learn Ableton Live?

As long as you have a computer that can run Ableton, you have everything you need to make music with it. You can choose to learn it by yourself at home or take online courses to understand the main features quickly.


How Long Will It Take To Learn Ableton?

A beginner will take between 6 and 12 months to learn Ableton, but someone with experience with other recording programs will take between 1 and 2 months.


Can I Learn Ableton Live Online?

Yes, absolutely! Learning Ableton online is pretty straightforward. With the online courses outlined above, you can quickly get acquainted with Ableton Live and reduce the learning curve.


Aspiring electronic music producers, you’ve got a world of music production tools at your fingertips with Ableton Live.

This dynamic digital audio workstation is a favorite amongst professional artists and sound engineers alike, serving as a critical tool in electronic music production.

Through online courses, you can learn to harness Ableton Live to express your musical ideas and elevate your music production skills.

You’ll dive into the nuts and bolts of audio engineering, guided by certified trainers who are experts in the field.

These professionals bring years of experience to the table, helping you navigate the world of sound design, mixing and mastering, and effects processing.

The music business is a competitive field, and a solid understanding of music production can set you apart.

With these courses, you’ll be taking a significant step towards becoming a professional producer, empowered to create electronic music that resonates with audiences.

In your own productions, you’ll use Ableton Live to breathe life into your compositions, creating dynamic live performances that set you apart as an electronic musician.

With the knowledge you gain from these courses, you can transform your recording studio into a hub of creativity, where your musical visions become reality.

In the end, learning Ableton Live is an investment in your future in the music industry.

Whether you dream of becoming a music producer, a certified trainer, or simply want to create electronic music that moves people, Ableton Live offers the tools and techniques you need to make it happen.

I hope you find these online Ableton live courses helpful.

Mark V.

Written By Mark V.

Mark Valenzuela is a professional blogger, entrepreneur, and educator with more than 15 years of experience in music production. In 2008, Mark founded Hip Hop Makers, a top resource for aspiring music producers and beatmakers. He specializes in content on music production, software, gear, and free music resources. Committed to empowering creators of all levels, Mark continues to inspire and help music creators pursue their dreams.

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