You can write metal in Ableton Live 12??!!

Writing Metal in Ableton Live: A 30-Minute Riff Challenge

Hey everyone, welcome back to the channel! It’s been a while since I posted, but I’ve been busy building out the studio and working with clients. Today, I’ve finally carved out 30 minutes to write a riff, and I wanted to take you along for the ride. We’re diving into Ableton Live to see how far we can get in just half an hour. Let’s jump into it!

Follow along with this video!

Laying Down the Riff

So, I’ve had this riff idea in my head all day and couldn’t wait to get it recorded. First things first, I’m not worried about perfecting the timing just yet. The goal here is to get the raw idea down and build from there. I can clean it up later, but right now, it’s all about capturing that initial creative spark.

After a bit of noodling around, I ended up with something I really liked. I started by recording two sections, and after playing them back, I actually liked the second section better as the opener. Quick switch, and boom—the foundation of the riff was set!

Adding Drums

Next up, drums! I love getting the kick drum locked in first because it helps guide the rest of the instruments. Once I had the kick laid down, I consolidated the drum pattern and got ready to drop in the bass. For this track, I went with a D-sharp tuning, which gives it that heavy, aggressive feel we’re going for.

Drums are crucial in metal, and I wanted something mean. I’ve been a big fan of using GetGood Drums kits, especially their Invasion pack. There’s this one snare in the kit that just snaps perfectly—it cuts right through the mix with incredible power.

Building Impact with Bass and FX

With the drum groove in place, I moved on to the bass. I usually like to copy the kick drum pattern and paste it into the bass line, which keeps everything tight and locked in. This approach also helps create that punchy, unified low-end sound that metal thrives on.

Now, to add some extra impact, I dropped in an effect that’s not quite a bass drop but gives that heavy, driving push. It’s subtle, but it makes a huge difference in adding energy to the track.

Getting Experimental with 808s and Hi-Hats

In the final minutes, I wanted to add something unexpected, so I pulled in an 808 kit. Yep, you heard that right—808s in a metal track! I’m a big fan of blending genres, and adding some 808 closed hi-hats creates this cool shaker effect that adds a unique rhythmic texture to the riff.

I automated the panning of the hi-hats to give them some movement, which helps keep things dynamic and interesting. After a quick run-through, I adjusted the levels and dropped a mastering chain on the track to give it a final polish.

The Final Listen

With everything recorded, I hit play and gave the track a full listen. In just 30 minutes, we went from an idea in my head to a fully fleshed-out riff with drums, bass, and some added production effects. Not bad for a half-hour session, right?

Wrapping Up

That’s it for today’s riff! I hope you enjoyed this quick dive into my writing process in Ableton Live. If you want to see me finish this song or explore more ideas, let me know in the comments. I already have some thoughts on where to take it next, but I’d love to hear your input!

If this is your first time on the channel, be sure to hit the like and subscribe buttons, and turn on those notifications. I’m planning more videos like this, especially with the launch of Ghost Noise Studios.

Thanks for hanging out with me today—I appreciate all your support! See you next time.