Advanced Ableton Live: Dance Music

The Advanced Ableton Live: Dance Music course explores the essential production techniques behind professional dance music. Students will learn to craft authentic sounds, arrange compelling tracks, and mix specifically for high-energy club systems. While the focus is on house, techno, and disco-inspired music, the principles extend to most electronic subgenres. By the end of the course, students will produce a polished dance track ready for performance and playback on large sound systems.

Topics & Goals

• Foundations of Groove
  Build dance rhythms with kick, bass, percussion, and groove templates in Ableton.
• Sound Design for Dance Music
  Design basses, leads, pads, and textures tailored for house, techno, and disco.
• Arrangement & Energy
  Structure loops into full tracks using phrasing, variation, and automation.
• Automation for Tension
  Use filter sweeps, FX throws, and parameter changes to sustain energy.
• Mixing for Club Systems
  Layer drums, sculpt EQ, control headroom, and ensure mixes translate to large PAs.
• Ableton Production Workflow
  Apply warping, Drum Racks, Groove Pool, and racks for fast, effective workflows.

What's included

• 12 hours of in-person instruction at our NYC Facility
• Practice time on the day of your class
• 4 Day passes to be used on non-class days
• Free course assets and learning tools (for applicable courses)
• Access to In-Circle events while enrolled
• Access to the Sound Collective Talent pool while enrolled
• Certificate of completion

Instructors

Instructor

Sound Collective

NYC Facility

Sound Collective features a full suite of professional spaces, including a dedicated recording studio, modern production labs, a PA-equipped performance space, and a fully outfitted DJ studio. Every room is stocked with industry-standard gear, modern hardware & software, and flexible setups for classes, practice, and collaboration.

Located at 28 Broadway, New York, NY 10004