CERTIFIABLY ABLETON
ABLETON WHO ? | Matt McCoy
Ableton Live . Chances are you ’ ve heard those words if you ’ re a worship leader who is interested in using multitracks in worship . Even though Ableton Live has been around for almost 20 years , it ’ s increasingly become a buzzword in the worship leading world . To break it down , “ Ableton ” is the name of a German company who makes software called “ Live ". Live is an extremely powerful software application that worship leaders use to run multitracks . Multitracks are similar to backing or accompaniment tracks , but fully customizable . Worship leaders also use Ableton Live to run click tracks , videos and even automate lyrics and lighting . Interestingly , Ableton Live was not designed with churches in mind . You ’ ll find a computer running Ableton Live on stages of all sizes - from stadium pop concerts to the band at your cousins wedding . Music producers use it to record in the studio and electronic musicians use it to perform live . Worship leaders have found creative ways to use Ableton Live to raise the bar of weekend services .
My first exposure to Ableton Live was in 2004 while on staff at a church in Cincinnati . On a weekend I wasn ’ t leading , I wandered into the auditorium during worship practice . The worship leader had a MacBook sitting at his feet along with a foot controller . As the band ended a song , I saw the worship leader press a button with his foot and , all of a sudden , an electronic drum beat came on . The drummer swelled in and the entire band started to play along to the intro of the next song . The band sounded more full and huge than I ’ d ever heard . My mind was blown and raced with questions . How is the band staying in perfect time ? What is the computer doing ? What is that foot controller ?
At the time , I didn ’ t realize what kind of impact this experience would have on the rest of my worship leading life . Not to be dramatic , but looking back now , I could say that moment changed my life forever . Not only did Ableton Live completely change the way that I would lead worship for the next 15 years , but my entire career has been built around making worship technology simple . It ’ s the reason I started Loop Community .
The benefits that Ableton Live will bring to your worship leading will far outweigh your initial learning curve to get started .
While there are many benefits to using Ableton Live in worship , there are a few foundations . The most important thing you can do to enhance the sound of your band is to get everyone to play along at the same tempo . Using a click ( metronome ) in Ableton Live will ensure that everyone is in time with each other . Ableton Live also allows you to use tracks to enhance the sound of your band . If you ’ ve ever wondered how popular worship bands sound so massive , it ’ s probably because they are playing along with tracks . If you look closely , I bet you ’ ll see a computer somewhere on stage running Ableton Live . It allows you to add instruments that you don ’ t have in your band or parts that are hard to replicate live - like a synth or percussion . It also allows you to replace a musician that is missing . If your bass player doesn ’ t show up , you can play along with a bass track that weekend .
Some worship leaders won ’ t even consider using Ableton Live in worship because they feel it will be distracting . However , like most things , distractions can be eliminated by working on your craft . Just as a drummer who hasn ’ t practiced can be distracting , or an out of tune guitar can be distracting , technology can be distracting if you don ’ t take the time to learn , practice and become a master at it . Learning anything new can feel daunting , but the reward afterward is well worth the effort . The benefits that Ableton Live will bring to your worship leading will far outweigh your initial learning curve to get started . Ableton Live is much easier to use than most people think at first . Although it can look a little scary initially , you can fully understand the basics in under an hour . I ’ ve seen hundreds of my students go from not understanding anything about Ableton Live , to programming their entire services with it .
If you ’ re interested in learning more , don ’ t feel pressure to have it all figured out at once . It ’ s important to just jump in and get started . Take it one small step at a time . You will sound great using tracks in worship and I ’ ll be here to help you along the way . A good starting point is to take an Ableton Live class . I teach a free 1-hour beginners course designed specifically for worship leaders . To sign up , visit AbletoninWorship . com
You won ’ t look back - I can guarantee it .
Matt McCoy Matt is a worship leader and songwriter from Chicago . He is the founder of LoopCommunity . com and an Ableton Certified Trainer .
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130 October 2018 WorshipMusician . com