An introduction to using Ableton Live with electronic drums for live music performance.

Joe Clegg (Drummer and Music Director for Ellie Goulding, Clean Bandit, Mumford & Sons) breaks down his set-up and approach to programming and playing on some of the world’s biggest pop gigs.

“I personally think that there is beauty in the detail, that recreating a programmed drum part with accuracy is an art form in itself. I might be the only person that gets excited at the thought of pop shows being played fully live, by musicians using technology as an instrument, without conventional backing tracks, but it’s more attainable than ever.”

In this video series you will learn how to translate studio recordings into the live arena in a human and musical way.

Joe demonstrates the techniques he uses when approaching electronic drums on a live show. From selecting sounds, programming, automation, and practically how that works on stage.

Within a musical context, Joe breaks down a track from the final mix to stems and back to the multi-tracks—rebuilding it piece by piece into a playable version, ready for stage.

If you’re a drummer but totally new to MIDI, triggers, automation, and sample based drums from a DAW, you will discover a whole new world of possibilities. For the seasoned-pros out there, this is a rare opportunity to see behind-the-scenes as Joe walks you through the techniques that have worked for him time and time again out on the road.

“I use Ableton Live on almost every show I work on. It isn’t the only DAW used in the world of live music, but it is creative, versatile, and reliable. Ableton handles MIDI, samples, and software instruments in a unique way, designed with performance in mind.”

Recorded at Snap Studios in London, ‘Stem to Stage’ also includes three exclusive video performances of Joe Clegg’s original material, demonstrating how to incorporate electronic and acoustic drums, as well as outboard equipment, in three different set-ups. Watch Joe get creative with vintage tape echoes, 80s drum pads, spring reverb tanks, preamps, guitar pedals, and whatever else he can get his hands on!

Most importantly, you will learn not only how Joe approaches his work, but how you can use electronic drums in an original and imaginative way in your own performances.