Corey Baker is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and Ableton Certified Trainer. Corey made a huge impact on the electronic music scene and toured the world as Kill Paris. He shares his workflow and techniques in his tutorials and courses, and hosts a weekly sample flip challenge.

I spoke with Corey about his music, educational community, and production techniques. We discussed some of the newer features in Ableton Live 12.1, as well as the process of learning complex software to create music. Corey shared how being discovered by Skrillex on SoundCloud changed the course of his career.

This episode is sponsored by Baby Audio, makers of incredible music software. Use the code MPP15 to save 15%! https://babyaud.io 

Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube

Takeaways:

• The early days of using Ableton Live involved a supportive community and tutorials helped in the learning process.
• Transitioning from hardware to digital plugins allowed for more flexibility and experimentation in music production.
• The MIDI tools and scale awareness in Ableton Live 12 provide a user-friendly way to explore music theory and create musical compositions.
• Balancing technical knowledge with creative exploration is important in music production
• Breaking the rules and trying new things can lead to unique and interesting results.
• The standalone version of Ableton Push has improved workflow and allows for a more immersive and enjoyable music-making experience.
• Reacting and responding to what you are creating in the moment is important for staying in a creative flow.
• Simplifying your setup and focusing on using default Ableton devices can help avoid getting caught up in technical details and allow for a more fluid creative process.
• Challenging oneself and embracing the struggle in the creative process leads to a deeper sense of satisfaction and connection with the music.
• The energy and process put into creating music can be felt by the listener, even if it's not consciously recognized.
• Bringing energy and enthusiasm to live performances is crucial for creating a great show and engaging the audience.
• Creating a comfortable and engaging atmosphere can help build a connection between the performer and the audience.
• Playing for smaller venues allows for more eye contact and a sense of community, while larger crowds can create a domino effect of energy.
• How platforms like SoundCloud and YouTube have played a significant role in the success of many musicians, providing opportunities for exposure and collaboration.
• Gamification and metrics in music production can provide valuable feedback and motivation for producers.

Links:

• Corey’s Site - https://funthingsfunlife.com
• Corey’s Intro to Ableton Live Course - https://corey-baker.mykajabi.com/offers/YjH3Muz2/checkout
• Corey’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coreybakercoreybaker
• Corey’s Clubhouse on Discord - https://discord.com/invite/PJtmtk5ydg
• Links to Corey’s Work and Music - https://funthingsfunlife.com/links
• Making Music by Dennis DeSantis PDF - https://cdn-resources.ableton.com/resources/uploads/makingmusic/MakingMusic_DennisDeSantis.pdf
• Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com
• Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc 
• 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book
• Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit
• Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast
• Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store
• This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk