Experimenting with Field Recordings in Ableton
In this workshop, participants will focus on different approaches to working with field recordings in the music software Ableton. A variety of audio sampling techniques will be demonstrated and then experimented with, culminating in the creation of a short composition. A small library of samples and template projects will be provided by the artist. Time will be put aside in the final part of the workshop to listen to each other’s short compositions (this can be done anonymously).
Participants should:
– Have a foundational understanding of how to use Ableton*
– Bring their own laptop with Ableton installed (Ableton Suite 10, 11 or 12 is
recommended)
– Bring their own headphones
– Bring a midi controller (if available)
*This includes basic functions like:
– Navigation of software (Arrangement, Session, Browser, Mixer)
– Editing audio
– Familiarity with Ableton’s Sampler and Simpler
– Basic knowledge of mixing and layering sounds
– Basic automation
– Using midi
– Applying effects
Workshop language: English
Image caption:
Ableton workshop by Zai Tang. Courtesy National Gallery Singapore.
Presented By
Zai Tang is a multidisciplinary artist based in Singapore. Drawing influence from acoustic ecology, phenomenology and electronic & experimental music, his practice is built upon a belief that listening is an invaluable means of attuning to and forming deeper relationships with the worlds we inhabit. As a collaborator, Tang plays the role of composer, sound designer, and musician across different contexts, having worked with visual artists, filmmakers, choreographers, theater practitioners, and other musicians. Recent presentations include the No.60 at Hong Kong Arts Festival (2024) with Pichet Klunchun Dance Company; Sonic Medi(t)ations at National Gallery Singapore (2023); Escape Velocity V (Solo Version) at Seoul Museum of Art (2022); Redder at Thailand Biennale, Korat (2021); Dormant Soil / Concrete Reflections at Busan Biennale, South Korea (2020) with Rei Hayama. Tang has been part of The Migrant Ecologies Project since 2015. Their film {if your bait can sing the wild one will come} Like Shadows Through Leaves won the FIPRESCI Award at ISFF Oberhausen (2021) and Best Singapore Short Film at SGIFF (2021).