Quantized rhythms in Ableton Live

Quantization involves aligning rhythms to the tempo grid in an exact, mechanical way.

Unlike natural human performance, which includes small imperfections, groove and expressivity, quantization artificially snaps rhythms and durations perfectly to the timeline grid.

I. Prepping the session view

• Open a new session in Ableton Live.
• Enter the session view, AKA Clip launcher view. (Click on the three vertical lines on the right side of the screen). We will use the first MIDI track.

• Search for the instrument 808 Core Kit and drop it on MIDI track 1.
• Activate the computer MIDI keyboard and adjust to the octave C1 to D2. You can navigate between octaves by pressing the keys Z and X.
• Press any key in the line of letters from A to L and you will listen percussion sounds.

Video example 1

II. Recording a new MIDI clip in the launcher

• Press the click metronome button and hit play to listen to the tempo,
• when you're ready, play a simple rhythm.
• Click on the first cell of the clip launcher, we will record our rhythm here for looping.
• Play the rhythm two or three times.
• Press the capture MIDI button to show what you just played. The clip should start to loop automatically. We will not use the record button just yet

Video example 2

III. Adjusting the loop length and quantizing values

• Adjust the loop length and listen a few times.
• Click Command + A to select all the midi information.
• Make a secondary click (right click) and select quantize.
• To quantize to a specific rhythm value, select quantize settings.
• Make sure to "select all" midi notes before quantizing, otherwise some rhythms will be aligned and others won't.

Video example 3

IV. Creating syncopations by adjusting the loop length and recording the result.

• In the second MIDI track, add the drum instrument 606 core kit.
• On the first track, press option and click on the MIDI clip you just recorded, then drag to the second track, this will create a duplicate.
• Press play at the rightmost play button to trigger the entire scene simultaneously.
• You will hear both tracks synchronized.
• Extend the loop length on the second track by one beat, this will create a rhythmic syncopation.
• Click the main record button to record both tracks together.

Video example 4

V. Adding tempo automation to the loop playback.

Video example 5