Ableton Live Lite and Arturia MiniLab: A beginner guide and review.

Thinking about making music? Not sure what to buy? Read on! Maybe my Ableton Live Lite and Arturia Minilab : A beginner guide and review can help you.

Let me say that I am quite a novice when it comes to music production and electronic music. These tools are things I use which I have found reasonably priced, good quality and quite easy to start using for a beginner like myself. 

I have written music for a very long time. I have performed music for a very long time. Yet music is so fun because no matter how long you have been doing it, there is always more to learn. So I wanted to experiment with making electronic music. However, I like full control over the music I make and perform, so I also needed to learn how to record it.

These are my opinions based on my experience. I cannot promise they will be the same for you, but I hope they can shed some light on the complex world of music tools out there.

Tool 1: Software.

To record music, electronic or otherwise you will most likely need a digital audio workstation (DAW). This is the hub where creativity meets technology. These software platforms have revolutionized the way music is composed, produced, and mixed. They really make the artform accessible and empower aspiring musicians and professionals alike.

A DAW is a sophisticated software application designed to facilitate the recording, editing, arranging, and mixing of digital audio. Basically its a virtual studio, offering tools and features that once required expensive hardware and physical space, but not anymore!

Review

Ableton Live Lite offers a range of features and benefits that make it a fantastic choice for electronic music production, especially for beginners and those looking for a streamlined workflow. Here are some reasons why I like Ableton Live Lite:

• Affordability and Accessibility: Ableton Live Lite often comes bundled with audio interfaces, MIDI controllers, and other hardware. I bought my Minilab (which I’ll come to in the second half of my blog) and this came with a serial number to download Ableton Live Lite for free!
• Intuitive Interface: Ableton Live Lite features a user-friendly interface that is relatively easy to navigate. So it’s accessible to beginners while still offering powerful capabilities for more experienced users.
• Support for MIDI and Audio Recording: Live Lite supports both MIDI and audio recording. You can record performances, vocals, and external instruments directly into the software. (Though you will probably want a better microphone than your computers one in time)
• Seamless Integration with Hardware: Live Lite offers seamless integration with a wide range of MIDI controllers and hardware instruments. Many controllers come with pre-mapped templates for Live Lite, making setup quick and easy. As a complete beginner who had never used anything MIDI before, It did take me a day or so to configure my Minilab as a plug in on Ableton Live Lite, but after some online searching I managed to do it. The internet is full of useful resources- so you will be able to do it too!
• High-Quality Instruments and Effects: Despite being a lighter version of Ableton Live, Lite still comes with high-quality instruments and effects. Live Lite projects are compatible with the full version of Ableton Live, making it easy to upgrade as your needs evolve.

Overall, Ableton Live Lite offers a powerful and accessible platform for electronic music production. It’s an excellent choice for musicians of all skill levels. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for a versatile tool for music-making, Live Lite provides the features and flexibility you need for all your musical ideas.

Please don’t think you will make fantastic music after a day! Having a background in music theory and playing instruments will really help you in my opinion. This is because there is such an overwhelming amount of choices for sounds, rhythms and creating. Having some music knowledge can help you refine and focus your search quicker for the style, rhythm, or melody you want. Contact me to see how I can help with this part.

Mastering a DAW will however require more than just musical proficiency. It’s about understanding the intricacies of music production, from sound design and arrangement to mixing and mastering. I am learning as I go along! Fortunately, the internet is brimming with tutorials, forums, and communities where enthusiasts can learn, share, and grow together.

Tool 2: MIDI controller

To the best of my understanding, to make electronic sounds not with a regular instrument you will need some form of MIDI controller. In my case I use the Arturia MiniLab MkII

( Disclaimer: My review is for the MK II but now the Minilab for sale on the Arturia website is the III which I have not used but here is a link for it!) 

In this second part of my Ableton Live Lite and Arturia Minilab: A beginner guide and review, I will give a review of the Arturia Minilab II and why I really liked it for a beginner (as I was, and still am!)

Honestly, the reason I got it was:

1. I didn’t want to pay very much to start with. (The MiniLab III is 99 euros and the Mk II was around that as well- it really is incredibly reasonable.)

2. It looked so cute and colourful.

3. Arturia has a cool looking website. I guess aesthetics played a part in my decision! I didn’t have any experience with MIDI controllers, so all I can say is I was just lucky I chose it! Now I can give a more knowledgeable review for you.

Review

• Sleek and minimalist design: backlit pads, dedicated pitch and modulation touch-strips and a minikeyboard. Most of the buttons do what you think they will do, which I like.
• Easy integration with popular digital audio workstations (DAWs) and music production software: You will probably want some sort of VST (virtual studio technology) to “plug in” to your DAW. You can operate the VST through your MIDI controller- in this case the Arturia Minilab. I use Analog Lab VI and V as a VST which I got with my Minilab, but there are many, many to choose from! This VST will give you so many sequences, rhythms and ways to manipulate sounds you cannot believe. The Minilab works very easily and intuitively to control them.
• Impressive suite of software instruments and production tools: I’ve mentioned Ableton Live Lite and Analog lab, but there are many more as well.  These not only provide users with a diverse palette of sounds and textures but also serve as an entry point into the world of music production for beginners.
• Great price for what it does: Need I say more?

If you are experienced with music production and making electronic music, this might be a bit limited for you. You will probably want to add more equipment (physical and software) to your arsenal. Some may find the limited number of keys restrictive for certain musical applications, while others may desire additional customization options for the pads and encoders. Similarly, while the included software bundle is generous, more advanced users may eventually want additional plugins and virtual instruments to expand their creativity. 

In conclusion, the Arturia MiniLab MkII is a versatile and feature-rich MIDI controller that punches above its weight class. Whether you’re a bedroom producer, a travelling musician, or a professional studio engineer, this compact tool offers a blend of functionality, portability, and affordability. The MiniLab MkII is a great companion for music producers of all levels.

Final Thoughts…

I really enjoy using Ableton Live Lite and my Arturia Minilab. Making electronic music with these instruments has been so enjoyable. Ive been learning around 2 years now. I use these digital tools alongside my regular acoustic instruments including voice. (Lets discuss this more in another blog)! I also have so much more to learn using the instruments I have. (Although I’m considering buying a drum machine)… but that’s another story. Oh I should probably add an example of my work too:

Thanks for reading! I hope my Ableton Live Lite and Arturia Minilab : A beginner guide and review can help you navigate the overwhelming amount of choice there is out there if you’re just starting on your music making journey.