Today's creative DJ does so much more than just spin tracks. Alex Solano shows you how you can use Ableton Live, a AKAI Pro Rhythm Wolf, and a AKAI APCmkII to keep your beats live and your set exciting!
Alex begins by showing you the capabilities of the hardware and software used, and what they offer to the DJ. He then shows you how to optimally configure Ableton Live for a DJ set.
Next, Alex reveals how to set up an Analog Beat Box / Synthesizer like the AKAI Rhythm Wolf to add a sense of live excitement to your DJ set and avoid problems like tempo drift. He then follows up with a video on how the APCmkII makes an ideal DJ controller.
The last three videos are all about performance. Alex shows you how to use Ableton's Session View to drag in Clips and Loops and trigger them during your set. Following that, Alex explores the Effects Racks in Live and how to use them in your set. And finally, he walks you through the full workflow of performing the entire set.
Whether you're new to DJing and looking for ways to get started, or you're a seasoned DJ looking to add some live creative ideas, don't miss "Creative DJing Vol. 1!"
Why Users Choose Us
There are many things our users love about Groove3, but a couple always stand out at the top when asked why people choose us as their learning resource.
Quality Content
We meticulously craft professional quality tutorials that are thoughtful, informative and done with attention to detail. We stand behind our products with a 100% satisfaction guarantee and are trusted by 1000s of users every day.
Save Time & Money
Our library brings over 1500 hours of quality instruction to you fingertips and we release new content every week. Don't waste your valuable time scouring the web for information you may never find or is cumbersome to use and potentially can't be trusted.
1. When did you start dabbling in music?
The earliest I remember was at 12 years old. My older brother brought home an electric guitar and I was mesmerized to actually put my hands on one for the first time. From there its history. I basically spend all my teen years learning songs, playing in bands, figuring out how to sequence on workstations and eventually pursued an education in Music Technology.
2. What training have you had?
I obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Technology from Cal State San Bernardino in 2005, as well as numerous certifications from Avid Pro Tools and Media Composer while at Avid (2005-2012)
3. When did you get into recording?
When I was around 15, I was playing guitar in my older brother’s band the bass player, June, went back to Japan. June left his Yamaha SY-77 workstation in my care and I figured out how to multitrack and sequence as well as sound design and program all without a manual. What’s funny is that I had no idea what Quantization was, so I created these very long 96 bar sequences laying down one instrument at a time. Hey at least my timing improved ;-)
4. People you have worked with/for?
All through college I was recording and producing for various hip hop rappers and singers, as well as my own Reggaeton project called “Gran Impacto” back in 2003. But my career in mixing really took on a whole other dimension when I started making YouTube videos and had artists send me sessions from all over the world. Amongst the artists I’ve worked with include Gilligan Gadsby, Reggae Foundation, Skiptooth, Skeletones, Debonaires, Chica Ize, to name a few.
5. Why are you so good at training people?
Honestly, I’ve been shy all my life. But taking the courage to increase my confidence one step at a time, I’m able to teach people what I’m passionate about. With Digidesign I was a Pro Tools Product Specialist, and Digi had a very high standard on delivering world-class presentations. I knew I had some big shoes to fill, but through my personal journey I was able to hone in on presenting and teaching, especially to an online audience. And even though I’d say I have 10 years under my belt, I’m always looking to reinvent my self and not be stagnant or complacent.
Products by Alex
-
tutorial videoAKAI Advance Keyboards Explained
AKAI has one of the best MIDI control keyboards available today, and gear guru Alex Solano serves up some of the best tutorials on how to use these powerhouse controllers. See how to maximize its features and functions, as well as learn the included VIP Software Suite.
-
tutorial videoAlesis VI49 Explained
The Alesis VI49 Keyboard Controller lets you take command of your music software with its full compliment of controllers, and Alex Solano shows you how to take control of the VI49 and get the most out of both its hardware and the software!
-
tutorial videoCreative DJing Vol 1
Today’s creative DJ does so much more than just spin tracks. Alex Solano shows you how you can use Ableton Live, a AKAI Pro Rhythm Wolf, and a AKAI APCmkII to keep your beats live and your set exciting!
-
tutorial videoDenon MC6000mkII Explained
Denon has reimagined their next generation, flagship DJ controller and digital mixer, and Alex Solano explains how to get the most out of it, and its included software, Serato DJ!
-
tutorial videoM-Audio Code Explained
M-Audio has released their Code series of keyboard controllers packed with useful production features, and studio guru Alex Solano reveals those features and shows you how to make the most of this flexible and powerful controller with these great in-depth video training tutorials.
You might be also interested in
In this course, Josh Bess dives into a personal Ableton Live Session used to create the music for a high production live fashion runway show event. Alongside discussing topics focused around the production of the music, Josh discusses and shares ideas he personally experienced while involved with this entire show, supporting music creators who are interested in taking their music to a live performance scenario, as well as understanding ideas behind becoming a musical director and producer.
Electronic Music wiz Fabio Lendrum shows you how to produce a Trap track from start to finish, including everything that goes on in between. See how to produce this incredibly popular style of music step by step, using your DAW, various plug-ins, and the included downloadable tracks from the production. Get the info you need to make your own Trap masterpieces now.
Electronic Music guru and producer Morgan Potruff shows you how to produce a track in the style of Marshmello! See how to create a professional sounding electronic track from scratch, with explanations all along the way. You also get the individual tracks to experiment with and remix.
The All-Access Pass gives you just that, instant online access to every single video tutorial currently on the site and any ones that get added during your membership.
In this Groove3 video tutorial series, production pro Gary Hiebner reveals how to produce epic heroic musical themes, perfect for film and video productions, as well as gaming titles!
In this video course, world-renowned DJ Shortee teaches you how to find all your possible mix points in your instrumental-based electronic dance music so you can quickly create your DJ sets, both planned and improvised on the fly. She shows you how to dissect your instrumental-based song structures, step by step and in multiple ways, so you can easily identify all the different approaches you can take to mix your songs together and ultimately speed up your entire mix creation process. Every lesson is taught in a clear and concise way that is easy for anyone to understand.
In this video course, world-renowned DJ Shortee teaches you how to find all your possible mix points in your vocal-based music so that you can quickly create your DJ sets, both planned and improvised on the fly. She shows you how to dissect your vocal-based song structures, step by step and in multiple ways, so that you can easily identify all the ways you can mix your songs together and ultimately speed up your entire mix creation process. Every lesson is taught clearly, making it easy for anyone to understand.
Have old electronic music songs that you’ve never finished and are now a little dated sounding? Producer pro Chris Herrera delivers a video series designed to help you take stock of your old songs and productions, and discover ways to make them up to date and relevant again.
Production guru Tyler Coffin takes you on a journey into the world of Electronic Music! Designed for the EM newcomer, this series gets your feet wet with many of today’s popular electronic music genres, including sound design tips, production insights, as well as history to base your EM foundations on.
Super producer Paul Ortiz pulls back the curtain on the style of Post Malone in this in-depth U Produce™ series! See how to make an authentic track in the style of Post Malone step by step from scratch. Shot in Reason 10, the ideas and techniques will work with any DAW, and the Reason 10 session is also included!