The Mashup:An Arbiters Perspective

Using Ableton Live to create mashup productions

Lecture 3. Feb 6, 2010

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Agenda

• Introduction

• Approach to DJing

• Approach to Mash-up Production

• Using Ableton to develop ideas

• Finishing Touches

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Introduction

• 2001: the benefits of hindsight

• KCRW: a playground for the insatiable

• SIX FEET UNDER: expanding the experience

• SYNCHRONIZE re-score: bad tv begets better art

• SYNCHRONIZE live: bringing it to the dancefloor

• THE ARBITERS: the next step forward

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DJ APPROACH

• Share what you are passionate about.

• Only play what you love

• Tell a story with your selections

• Let emotion navigate your story

• Express the connections

• Practice makes perfect

• Keep yourself entranced

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Building the Mash Up

• Organize your first ideas

• Establish the foundation song or concept

• Establish your BPM

• Bring ideas into Ableton Clip View

• Break songs down into musical ideas

• Experiment, then record & critique experiments

• Work out the arrangement

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Organizing your ideas• Use iTunes as a creative sketchbook

• Organize by BPMs

• Experiment

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The Arbiters “Virgin Voices”

• Establish the foundation song: PHOENIX “Congratulations”

• Establish foundation concept: integrate a number of acapellas from different genres

• Establish BPM: 101

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The Arbiters “Virgin Voices”

• Bring ideas into Ableton Clip View

• Break songs down into musical ideas

• Experiment, then record & critique experiments

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Work Out The Arrangement

• Foundation - PHOENIX “Congratulations

• Familiar Tease - THE CARS “Since Youʼre Gone”

• Added Percussion & Vocal - MARVIN GAYE “I Want You (vocal & rhythm)”

• Lead Rap - MIMS “Like This (acapella)”

• Backing Vocals - DEBARGE “Virgin”, THE POLICE “Voices inside my head”, RYE RYE “Bang (feat. M.I.A.)”

• Added touch - CYMANDE “Dove”

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The Arbiters “Virgin Voices”

Work out ideas in the Ableton Live Session View