Published by Dan Giffin
Ableton Certified Trainer- Dan Giffin talks with today's industry experts and Ableton Live artists. We'll explore all things music from studio to stage. For sponsorship inquiries, email: Dan@AbletonPodcast.com Official page: AbletonPodcast.com
Listen on Apple Podcasts1 hr 15 min
In this episode, What So Not shares his creative process behind evolving his sound over the years, balancing artistry with strategy, and building records inside Ableton Live. We dive into his production workflow, sound design techniques, touring, AI in music, collaborating with vocalists, mixing on the road, and hear breakdowns from his upcoming projects. What So Not is an Australian electronic music producer and performer recognized as one of the defining architects behind the rise of cinematic trap and forward-thinking bass music. His production style has helped shape modern music through collaborations with Skrillex, RL Grime, Oliver Tree, Killer Mike, Toto, and Daniel Johns. With over 1.3 billion global streams across records like High You Are , Jaguar , Gemini , and Be Ok Again , he's entering a new chapter with his forthcoming project I SAW A TRAP DJ AND IT CHANGED MY BIO CHEMISTRY. Follow What So Not: https://www.instagram.com/whatsonot https://drop.cobrand.com/d/WhatSoNot/ISATDJ Sponsored by DistroKid: This episode is supported by DistroKid, which lets you upload once, get your tracks on all major platforms, and keep 100% of your streaming earnings. Their new DistroKid Direct feature also turns your artwork into print‑on‑demand merch like t‑shirts, mugs, and totes with no inventory to manage. Learn more below: https://tr.ee/distrokid-ableton Grab limited-edition Producer Merch & save 10% with the code "podcast": https://www.abletonpodcast.com/merch Join the newsletter to get free downloads, early episode access, and upcoming events: https://www.abletonpodcast.com/newsletter
1 hr 1 min
dnksaus (Carter) explores the future of Ableton Live, creative sound design workflows, Max for Live tools, and the new Ableton Extensions feature. They dive deep into building custom tools, making better "mud pies," AI-assisted coding, workflow optimization, and how producers can stay inspired while finishing more music. dnksaus is a producer, Max for Live developer, and sound designer known for his innovative Ableton tutorials and custom devices. His Max for Live devices and Ableton racks are used by producers including Marshmello, Skrillex, and RÜFÜS DU SOL. Carter has collaborated with Ableton on educational content and presentations, contributed to Sounds of KSHMR Vol. 5, and has become known for unconventional production techniques that help producers unlock new creative workflows. Sponsored by DistroKid: This episode is supported by DistroKid, which lets you upload once, get your tracks on all major platforms, and keep 100% of your streaming earnings. Their new DistroKid Direct feature also turns your artwork into print‑on‑demand merch like t‑shirts, mugs, and totes with no inventory to manage. Learn more below: https://tr.ee/distrokid-ableton Follow dnksaus Below: https://dnksaus.com Grab limited-edition Producer Merch & save 10% with the code "podcast": https://www.abletonpodcast.com/merch Join the newsletter to get free downloads, early episode access, and upcoming events: https://www.abletonpodcast.com/newsletter
1 hr 13 min
In this episode, Brendan aka Undulae shares his approach to experimental bass music, deep sound design, creating unique textures through phase manipulation, Max for Live devices, and generative tools. We dive into staying authentic in the attention economy, building a creative identity online, live performance workflows, and the process behind his latest album "No Worries If Not" — a 43-minute gapless listening experience. Undulae is a Denver-based electronic musician, producer, and educator known for sharing advanced sound design and production techniques with both new and experienced artists. His music blends experimental bass, cinematic influences, and IDM-inspired sound design. Brendan has won beat challenges hosted by Mr. Bill, participated in Andrew Huang’s 4 Producers Challenge, and has performed at popular festivals including Infrasound. Follow Undulae Below: https://undulaemusic.com Sponsored by DistroKid: This episode is supported by DistroKid, which lets you upload once, get your tracks on all major platforms, and keep 100% of your streaming earnings. Their new DistroKid Direct feature also turns your artwork into print‑on‑demand merch like t‑shirts, mugs, and totes with no inventory to manage. Learn more below: https://tr.ee/distrokid-ableton Grab limited-edition Producer Merch & save 10% with the code "podcast": https://www.abletonpodcast.com/merch Join the newsletter to get free downloads, early episode access, and upcoming events: https://www.abletonpodcast.com/newsletter
1 hr 24 min
Kill The Noise breaks down his evolving creative process—from couch-surfing bass producer to film scores—while navigating an AI-heavy landscape and real-life deadlines. We dive into his Ableton Live workflow for sidechaining and sound design, “stink mode” bass concepts, and the mindset to finish records without getting stuck in perfectionism. From film scores to studio production and major festival stages, Jake Stanczak—better known as Kill The Noise—has built a career defined by evolution and experimentation. Influenced early on by visionary filmmakers and boundary-pushing artists, his sound bridges cinematic intensity and forward-thinking electronic music, with collaborations ranging from Skrillex and Deadmau5 to Tom Morello, plus contributions to major film scores like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and xXx: Return of Xander Cage alongside Brian Tyler. Follow Kill The Noise: https://www.instagram.com/killthenoise Grab limited-edition Producer Merch & save 10% with the code " podcast ": https://www.abletonpodcast.com/merch Join the newsletter to get free downloads, early episode access, and upcoming events. https://www.abletonpodcast.com/newsletter
1 hr 52 min
In this episode, COPYCATT dives into bass music sound design and Ableton workflows—breaking down a track, talking clipping vs limiting, fun stories, and sharing tools for getting movement and character. We'll talk about waveshaping, feedback experiments, and a few Live 12.4 favorites. COPYCATT (Andre) is an Australian-based producer with a dedicated following in the neuro/ hip-hop/ bass scene, known for his unique sound design. His collaborations include working with artists like Frequent and Mr. Bill, and his tracks have been performed by acts such as Pretty Lights, Haywyre, Mr Carmack, Tipper, Excision, and more. Since his first release in 2015, COPYCATT has built a cult following around 90’s hip hop-inspired grooves, hard-hitting snares, and bone-rattling sub basses—and he also releases sample packs and video tutorials to share his production process. Follow COPYCATT below: https://soundcloud.com/itscopycatt https://instagram.com/itscopycatt https://discord.com/invite/9cW8Hnszvf Grab limited-edition Producer Merch & save 10% with the code "podcast": https://www.abletonpodcast.com/merch Join the newsletter to get free downloads, early episode access, and upcoming events. https://www.abletonpodcast.com/newsletter
1 hr 8 min
In this episode, NUEQ shares how he writes high-energy dance music in Ableton Live, breaking down his Operator-heavy sound design, groove-first drum mindset, and how he builds “call and response” ideas that stay cohesive through a track. He also digs into resampling, distortion chains, sidechaining, and favorite stock tools like Vocoder for adding character. NUEQ is a bass music producer known for detailed, rhythm-forward productions and building sounds from scratch. He’s played festivals like Tipper & Friends, Infrasound, Submersion, Fire Lights, Desert Bass (IL), and Balter Festival (UK), and has supported artists including Tipper, Culprate, K.L.O, Tsuruda, kLL sMTH, Duffrey, and Thought Process. He’s collaborated with Mr Bill, Culprate, Yehezkel Raz, Azaleh, and Omnist (with ongoing work w/ Vorso + Culprate), released on Inspected, VALE, Billegal Beats, Colony Productions, and Wormhole Music, and has sync placements with Tesla, Nothing Phone, and Ninja. Follow NUEQ: https://linktr.ee/NUEQ Grab limited-edition Producer Merch & save 10% with the code "podcast": https://www.abletonpodcast.com/merch Join the newsletter to get free downloads, early episode access, and upcoming events. https://www.abletonpodcast.com/newsletter
48 min
Matt Hill from The Floozies joins the podcast breaking down the live-looping workflows that keep their sets flexible and more. We get into fun show stories, building performance-ready rigs (including multi-Serum setups), mapping + record-arm shortcuts, and the mixing/mastering tools that save time—like Ozone, referencing, and other “work smarter” tech. Brothers Matt and Mark Hill are the sonic visionaries behind electronic-funk powerhouse The Floozies. Known for sold-out shows nationwide (including their annual hometown Funk Street Festival), they’ve lit up major festivals like Bonnaroo, Electric Forest, High Sierra, Summer Camp, Wakarusa, Camp Bisco, Summerset, and Bumbershoot—plus headlining Red Rocks. Their formidable sound continues to get love from coast to coast. Follow The Floozies Below: http://flooziesduo.com https://www.youtube.com/user/FlooziesDuo http://instagram.com/flooziesduo Grab limited-edition Producer Merch & save 10% with the code "podcast": https://www.abletonpodcast.com/merch Join the newsletter to get free downloads, early episode access, and upcoming events: https://www.abletonpodcast.com/newsletter
1 hr 5 min
In this episode, Dillon Bastan breaks down how he approaches building playful, physics-inspired music tools—plus the stories behind Iota, the Inspired by Nature Pack, Entanglement (his “quantum” synth concept), and the viral new ChatDSP Max for Live devices that generate instruments/effects from text prompts. We get into why he loves workflows that invite happy accidents, and his broader philosophy around creativity, meaning, and making art. Dillon Bastan is a multi-talented artist and developer known for esoteric Max for Live devices and experimental artistic adventures. His work pulls from natural processes, mathematical systems, and physical forces—often replacing traditional parameters with unconventional controls and environments. He created Ableton’s popular Inspired by Nature Pack, the granular-looping instrument Iota, and advanced tools like Entanglement, and ChatDSP (a viral new prompt-based AI device builder). Follow Dillon Bastan Below: https://dillonbastan.com https://www.instagram.com/dillonbastan https://dillonbastan.bandcamp.com Grab limited-edition Producer Merch & save 10% with the code "podcast": https://abletonpodcast.com/merch Join the newsletter to get free downloads, early episode access, and upcoming events. https://www.abletonpodcast.com/newsletter
1 hr 20 min
In this episode, Flozone sits down and shares his Ableton workflow—from his production template and sidechain setup, to dialing in kick/sub balance that translates on small speakers. We also get into mixing decisions (clippers, limiters, and avoiding weird plugin glitches), Serum tips, and how he stays creative without forcing ideas. Flozone is a bass music producer known for overwhelming low-end, gritty leads, and a fluid-but-aggressive sound shaped by Southern trap influences and modern bass music. He’s played major stages like Lost Lands, Wakaan, and Okeechobee, hit Red Rocks, toured on the Wooli bus tour, and is now stepping into his first headline shows. Follow Flozone Below: https://linktr.ee/flozonebass Grab limited-edition Producer Merch & save 10% with the code "podcast": https://abletonpodcast.com/merch Join the newsletter to get free downloads, early episode access, and upcoming events. https://www.abletonpodcast.com/newsletter
1 hr 25 min
In this episode, we dive deep into advanced Ableton sound design, resampling techniques, and creative workflow strategies with Leotrix and eliderp. The conversation covers everything from using Melodyne for unique bass design, building fat racks, and pushing stock Ableton devices to their limits, to unconventional sampling methods that spark new ideas. Leotrix is an Australian bass producer known for his original sound design, melodic future riddim style, and explosive live sets, with support slots alongside Excision, Zeds Dead, NGHTMRE, Kayzo, Virtual Riot, and Marshmello, plus appearances at Bassrush, Red Rocks, and Lost Lands. Eliderp is a producer, visual artist, and film/game composer whose detailed sound design has led to collaborations and releases with artists like Mr. Bill, The Widdler, Knoir, JoeB, and DABOW, including a Virtual Riot remix with Mr. Bill. Follow Leotrix and eliderp Below: https://linktr.ee/eliderp https://linktr.ee/leotrix Grab limited-edition Producer Merch & save 10% with the code "podcast": https://abletonpodcast.com/merch Join the newsletter to get free downloads, early episode access, and upcoming events. https://www.abletonpodcast.com/newsletter
1 hr 31 min
In this special 200th episode, Dan Giffin (Philia) gets interviewed and reflects on what he’s learned from 200+ conversations with producers, artists, and industry pros on the podcast. He talks about how his approach to music has evolved over the years, practical Ableton tips for file management, faster workflows, favorite max for live devices, and building a live performance setup. Dan Giffin is an Ableton Certified Trainer, producer, performer, and educator based in Denver, Colorado. He teaches Ableton Live through AbletonPodcast.com, hosts the Ableton Music Producer Podcast, and produces under the artist name Philia. Dan has taught Grammy-winning artists, led workshops at SAE Institute and Sweetwater, and has collaborated with major label artists including Mac Miller, Machine Gun Kelly, and more. As Philia, he blends jazz-infused bass music with live drums, keys, improvised DJing, and has shared the stage with artists including Tiesto, Slushii, Daily Bread, Blookah, Beats Antique and others. Follow Philia Below: https://linktr.ee/philiamusic https://www.tiktok.com/@philiamusic https://www.philia-music.com https://www.facebook.com/PhiliaMusic https://www.instagram.com/philiamusic Grab limited-edition Producer Merch & save 10% with the code "podcast": https://www.abletonpodcast.com/merch Join the newsletter to get free downloads, early episode access, and upcoming events. https://www.abletonpodcast.com/newsletter **Thanks to Brennan & Ben for interviewing this episode: Brennan Forrester: http://instagram.com/brennanplayskeys https://www.instagram.com/8_of_spades_dnb Ben Spilker: https://www.instagram.com/spilkerben https://github.com/benspilker
1 hr 1 min
In this episode, STVSH breaks down his approach to bass music production, sound design, and how his background in film and Foley work has shaped his unique sonic identity. We dive into Ableton workflows, creating “mud pies,” resampling techniques, and why simplifying your process can actually level up your music. Nathan Lienau, aka STVSH, is a rising bass music producer and DJ from Atlanta, Georgia. Known for blending raw hip-hop influences with gritty, urban textures, his sound is deeply inspired by the “sonic architecture” of his city. With a background in sound design for film and visual arts like graffiti and illustration, STVSH brings a multi-disciplinary approach to music. His career highlights include performing at Red Rocks Amphitheater, playing Lost Lands, collaborating with Mersiv, releasing on UKF, and completing his first headline tour. Follow STVSH Below: https://linktr.ee/stvsh Grab limited-edition Producer Merch & save 10% with the code "podcast": https://abletonpodcast.com/merch Join the newsletter to get free downloads, early episode access, and upcoming events. https://www.abletonpodcast.com/newsletter
1 hr 11 min
In this episode, Tom Cosm talks about building Orchid with Telepathic Instruments, getting back into live performance, brainwave-driven music experiments, and creative workflows in Ableton Live. He shares thoughts on AI for producers, live set design, sound design, and how technology can remove friction without replacing creativity. Tom Cosm is a New Zealand–born producer, technologist, coder, and educator who has been pushing the boundaries of music and sound for over two decades. Known as an “audio mad scientist,” his career spans global tours as an electronic artist, pioneering music tutorials on YouTube, and building custom creative software that fuses sound, code, and biometrics. As Technical Director at Telepathic Instruments, Tom built the first prototype of Orchid alongside Kevin Parker from Tame Impala, and now oversees its development, bridging code, electronics, and design. Follow Tom Cosm Below: https://www.instagram.com/tomcosm/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyiC_SKm-R5WLVMYmxuMXxA https://www.cosm.co.nz/ Follow Telepathic Instruments Below: https://telepathicinstruments.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@telepathic.instruments https://www.patreon.com/cw/telepathicinstruments https://discord.com/invite/UY8PpbQaXz https://www.tiktok.com/@telepathic.instruments https://www.instagram.com/telepathic.instruments/ Grab limited-edition Producer Merch & save 10% with the code: podcast https://abletonpodcast.com/merch Join the newsletter to get free downloads, early episode access, and upcoming events. https://www.abletonpodcast.com/newsletter
1 hr 12 min
Tim Linetsky (Underbelly) is the creator of You Suck at Producing— he shares about Ableton Live 12.4 updates, building an educational music brand, AI tools, royalties, live performance, and making EDM (emotional dance music). Dan and Tim break down their new collab “Home,” discuss stem separation, Splice’s new AI features, and what it takes to suck less as a producer. Tim Linetsky produces as Underbelly and is an Ableton Certified Trainer best known for his hilarious and educational YouTube channel You Suck at Producing, which has over 400k subscribers. He’s created tutorials for DJ Tech Tools, Earmark, and Pyramind, and has collaborated with artists like Lido, Tchami, Keys N Krates, Giraffage, and San Holo. Tim is also building a new interactive learning platform designed to help producers level up directly inside their DAW. Follow Underbelly: https://www.youtube.com/@yousuckatproducing https://www.instagram.com/underbellybeats https://yousuckatproducing.com Grab limited-edition Producer Merch & save 10% with the code "podcast": https://abletonpodcast.com/merch Join the newsletter to get free downloads, early episode access, and upcoming events. https://www.abletonpodcast.com/newsletter
1 hr 14 min
In this two-part episode recorded at Ableton's U.S. Headquarters, Dan Giffin sits down with Tony McCall and Alberto Chapa to explore the company’s direction, leadership, and vision for the future. In the second half, a panel of producers—Chuck Sutton, Au5, Underbelly, and Louis Futon—answer rapid-fire questions from a live audience. Topics include mixing loudness, creative workflow hacks, project organization, and their thoughts on AI and sound design. Follow the Guests Below: Tony McCall (Managing Director at Ableton) Alberto Chapa (Business Development at Ableton) https://www.instagram.com/musicalguest Au5 www.au5music.com Chuck Sutton www.instagram.com/chuck_sutton Underbelly www.instagram.com/underbellybeats Louis Futon www.louisfuton.co Grab limited-edition Producer Merch & save 10% with the code "podcast": https://abletonpodcast.com/merch Join the newsletter to get free downloads, early episode access, and upcoming events. https://www.abletonpodcast.com/newsletter Schedule a visit at Ableton's Showroom: https://www.ableton.com/pasadena-spaces
8 min
We dive into everything new in the Ableton Live 12.3 update. From built-in stem separation and deep Splice integration to Push 3’s expressive XYZ layout, this update is packed with workflow upgrades and creative tools for sampling, sound design, and live performance. If you use Live for production or DJing, this breakdown is for you. Grab exclusive Ableton Podcast swag from the new Merch Store: https://abletonpodcast.com/merch (Use discount code: podcast) Join the newsletter to get free Ableton content + early episode access: https://www.abletonpodcast.com/newsletter
1 hr 5 min
In this episode, Louis Futon dives deep into his journey from college dropout to rising producer and performer. He shares how his sound evolved, collaboration experiences producing for artists like Cherub and Armani White, favorite production tools, and much more. Louis Futon (Tyler Minford) is a Philadelphia-born, LA-based producer known for seamlessly blending live instrumentation with electronic production. He’s performed at major festivals like CRSSD and Splash House, toured with ODESZA, GRiZ, and earned 45M+ streams. His collaborators include Masego, Anderson .Paak, Duckwrth, Alison Wonderland, and many more. Follow Louis Futon Below: https://www.instagram.com/louisfuton https://twitter.com/louisfutonbeats https://tiktok.com/@notlouisfuton https://facebook.com/Louisfutonbeats https://www.twitch.tv/louisfutontv Grab Ableton Podcast swag from the new Merch Store: https://abletonpodcast.com/merch Join the newsletter to get free Ableton content + early episode access: https://www.abletonpodcast.com/newsletter
1 hr 48 min
In this episode, Au5 dives deep into the intersection of sound design, creativity, and production workflow—sharing his philosophy of music as a transformative art that bridges science and spirit. He breaks down his process behind the new Emberwake EP , discusses the evolution of his vocal work, and offers production tips for breaking out of loop hell, mastering dynamics, and designing powerful bass textures in Ableton Live. Au5 is a renowned electronic artist, producer, and educator celebrated for blending intricate sound design with emotional and spiritual depth. His discography includes releases on Monstercat, Armada, OWSLA, and Wakaan, alongside collaborations with BT, Tritonal, and Seven Lions. Beyond performing and touring globally, he teaches music production and sound design through his School of Bass masterclass series and free tutorials. Follow Au5: https://www.au5music.com https://www.instagram.com/au5_official https://discord.com/invite/au5ome SPONSORED BY BABY AUDIO: Tekno by Baby Audio is a new drum synthesizer plugin with 18 engines ranging from vintage machines to modern percussion. Generate unique, organic drums with its Humanize function or get instant inspiration using the preset randomizer. Currently on sale & free demo at: https://babyaud.io/tekno Use code ABLETONPODCAST for an additional 15% off. Quickly grow your skills and learn with Abe, the Ableton AI Chatbot: https://www.abletonpodcast.com/ableton-chatbot Join the newsletter to get free Ableton content + early episode access: https://www.abletonpodcast.com/newsletter
1 hr 6 min
In this episode, Jason Huber from Cherub dives deep into the duo’s 15-year journey—sharing how they built their sound, evolved their live show, and continue to innovate using Ableton Live. He talks about slimming down their touring rig, producing with modular synths, crafting custom effects with stock plugins, and how the band keeps everything stable even after hundreds of shows. Cherub is a well established electro-pop duo made up of Jordan Kelley and Jason Huber , known for their viral hit “Doses & Mimosas” and energetic, guitar-driven live shows. Since forming at Middle Tennessee State University, they’ve released multiple albums including Year of the Caprese , Bleed Gold, Piss Excellence , and their latest record Everything Changes and That’s Okay . Blending funk, indie, and electronic vibes, Cherub remains a big name in the festival and touring scene. Follow Cherub Below: cherublamusica.com instagram.com/cherublamusica SPONSORED BY BABY AUDIO: Tekno by Baby Audio – a new drum synthesizer plugin with 18 engines ranging from vintage machines to modern percussion. Generate unique, organic drums with its Humanize function or get instant inspiration using the preset randomizer. Currently on sale & free demo at: https://www.babyaud.io/tekno Use code ABLETONPODCAST for an additional 15% off. Quickly grow your skills and learn with Abe, the Ableton AI Chatbot: https://www.abletonpodcast.com/ableton-chatbot Join the newsletter to get free Ableton content + early episode access: https://www.abletonpodcast.com/newsletter
1 hr 9 min
In this episode, INZO and Blookah dive deep into their collaborative process behind their album Nexum, sharing how they blend analog synths and sound design. They open up about their collaboration process, favorite synths (hardware and software), drum programming, and their nuanced approach to layering and mixing textures in Ableton Live. INZO is a genre-bending producer and DJ from Chicago, now based in Denver, best known for his viral track “Overthinker,” which has surpassed 50 million streams. He's headlined major venues like Red Rocks, and festivals like Bass Canyon and Wakaan, collaborated with LSDREAM and Blookah, and continues to push sonic boundaries with every release. Blookah is a Chicago and Denver-based producer, multi-instrumentalist, and beat maker known for blending future bass, funk, hip hop, and neo-soul into lush, feel-good soundscapes. A longtime collaborator with INZO, Blookah’s music is rooted in live instrumentation, rich sound design, and groove-heavy production, showcased in their joint album Nexum and his solo releases on labels like Lowly, Wakaan, and SSKWAN.Follow Local Void Label & Remix Contest: https://linktr.ee/localvoidrecords INZO: https://www.instagram.com/inzomusic/ https://inzomusic.com/ Blookah: https://www.instagram.com/blookah/ https://blookah.com SPONSORED BY BABY AUDIO: Tekno by Baby Audio – a new drum synthesizer plugin with 18 engines ranging from vintage machines to modern percussion. Generate unique, organic drums with its Humanize function or get instant inspiration using the preset randomizer. Currently on sale & free demo at: https://babyaud.io/tekno Use code ABLETONPODCAST for an additional 15% off. Quickly grow your skills and learn with Abe, the Ableton AI Chatbot: https://www.abletonpodcast.com/ableton- chatbot Join the newsletter to get free Ableton content + early episode access: https://www.abletonpodcast.com/newsletter