matt's posterous pacygas

The design of tools incorporates aesthetic ideas and values from the creator. With freer access to those tools, and easier creation of custom tools, the line between a music release and a tool release blurs. The difference: you can take someone else’s tool, and warp it to your own purposes.

And so it is that Ableton is increasingly featuring artists and their Max for Live creations. While Max for Live was introduced last fall, many of its fruits aren’t appearing until now.

Magda works with effects and dynamics to polish her included set. Other artists turn to Sampler, Operator, drum machines, and studio tracks that have been adapted for live performance. Photo courtesy the artist.

Record label Minus, founded by Richie Hawtin, has partnered with Ableton to release a set of free Ableton sets to download. Now, a collection of someone else’s Live sets on its own wouldn’t be terribly useful. But using the underused Lessons feature of Live, the sets are accompanied by step-through discussions of the techniques behind the set, the artists’ musical ideas, and tips. It’s a bit like having a master class with the raster of artists, which includes Click Box, Hobo, Heartthrob & Troy Pierce, Magda, Marc Houle, Fabrizio Maurizi, Barem, Ambivalent, JPLS and Gaiser.

Complete full download:
http://www.ableton.com/minus

If an instrument is more your style, though, you can turn instead to a new, free FM synthesizing drum machine.

Berlin electronic duo Skinnerbox have released a free drum machine made with Max for Live, the sbx 2049. It’s a six-voice drum machine that incorporates FM synthesis techniques and makes some really lovely sounds. Using Ableton’s own Operator as a source for drum kits has long been popular, but here the range of the sonic palette is still wider. Interestingly, it really moves away from a typical Ableton workflow: the synth features and pattern sequencer are both built in, so while it runs in the Live environment, it feels more like a self-contained instrument.

The sbx 2049 is a perfect example of the convergence of artist ideas and tools, as well. You could load this up and make something that sounds exactly like Skinnerbox’s sounds. Or, push the knobs in another direction, and you can synthesize something very much your own. Thanks to the two halves of Skinnerbox, Iftah and Olaf, for sending this our way.

Even if you’re not a Max for Live user (though that probably means you haven’t read this far), it’s worth having a look through the video just to see their approach to designing the instrument.

Full details:
Skinnerbox Movie and Live Pack

Lastly, if you’re either under 15 or age 15-18, Ableton, Novation, Loopmasters, and Soundcloud have a challenge to make your own track. That could give young producers out there a chance to use these tips:
Summer Music Challenge

Simply amazing! See the full interview here: http://thezargon.org/2010/04/interview-diegostoccos-music-from-a-bonsai/

Win Bobby Owsinski’s Book “The Recording Engineer’s Handbook”

Jan 18th in General by Adrian Try

If you're hoping to improve your microphone and recording techniques this year, this book is perfect. To enter, all you’ve gotta do is comment! One random commenter will be chosen as winner. Too easy.

Author: Adrian Try

Adrian is writer and editor for Audiotuts+ and the AudioJungle blog. He has been playing keys and acoustic guitar for three decades, and has six kids. Follow him on Twitter at @audiotuts.

Win Bobby Owsinski's Book "The Recording Engineer's Handbook"

For the chance to win Bobby Owinski's book The Recording Engineer's Handbook (pictured above) all you need to do is comment. Make sure to include your correct email address with your comment so that we can contact you. This giveaway is open worldwide, but make sure to get your comment in before midnight this Saturday, Pacific Eastern Standard Time.

The Recording Engineer's Handbook shows you:

• Multiple miking techniques for recording just about any musical instrument
• The secrets of mic placement
• Keys to a great sounding drum kit
• How to choose the right mic for each recording situation
• The secrets of getting great sounds from inexpensive equipment
• How to make leakage work for you
• How to get the most from a vocalist
• Tips for a great headphone mix
• The history and uses of classic microphones and their modern counterparts
• The best way to prepare for a session
• Drum tuning tips from the famous “Drum Doctor”

This completely updated edition of the best-selling The Recording Engineer’s Handbook reveals the microphone and recording techniques used by the world’s top recording engineers. From practical microphone basics, to in-the-box DAW recording, to session setup strategies, to surround sound recording methods, you’ll find everything you need to know to lay down great tracks in any recording situation, in any musical genre, and in any studio.

The Recording Engineer’s Handbook also includes interviews with Grammy winning engineer's like Al Schmitt, Ed Cherney, Steve Albini, Michael Beinhorn, Frank Fillipetti, Mack, Eddie Kramer, Michael Bishop and more.

A long-time veteran of the music industry, Bobby Owsinski has produced and composed for records, motion pictures and television shows along the way. Currently a principle in the content creator 2B Media, Bobby has also penned hundreds of articles for many popular industry trade publications and has authored several books that are now staples in recording programs in colleges around the world including “The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook”, “The Recording Engineer’s Handbook”, “The Audio Mastering Handbook”, “The Drum Recording Handbook”, “How To Make Your Band Sound Great,” and “The Studio Musician’s Handbook.” Bobby is a regular writer of our Plus tutorials.

If you miss out, check it out at Bobby's website or buy it from Amazon. See the table of contents or read an excerpt.

Please note: Envato staff and people who have written more than two tutorials/articles for a Tuts+ site are not eligible to enter.