Learn!
Included in Beatsurfing are 7 editable Tutorial Scenes that allow you to learn the basics of the App, with the relevant Ableton Live Project. This list is constantly updated with new material, and we’ll be adding other DAWs as we go.
If you do not own Ableton Live, there’s a fully working 30-day trial available here.
Other scenes & more are available here.
1/ Tutorial 01 – Circle Behaviors
- Download the Walkthrough PDF http://d.pr/f/sK91
- Download the Ableton Live Project: http://d.pr/f/jSaK
This tutorial is going to drive you through the different circle behaviors with real usage examples.
To read about this tutorial, download the PDF.
2/ Granular Synthesis
- Download the Ableton Live Project: http://d.pr/f/IEBZ
- Watch the Video: https://vimeo.com/40236917
This Scene shows a particular use of Beatsurfing, in which basic interactions are set between objects. Herrmutt Lobby used the app to create modular synthesis on a simple beat—kick, snare, and voice (vocals by MC NON of the Shadow Huntaz, a long-time Herrmutt Lobby collaborator).
You can read about this scene here: http://bit.ly/HVs16l
You can watch a video of this scene in action here: https://vimeo.com/40236917
You can download the Ableton Live project here: http://d.pr/f/IEBZ
This scene requires the Operator Synth and Maxforlive.
3/ Octo Double Beatfader
- Download the Ableton Live Project: http://d.pr/f/7DQu
This scene demonstrate the use of the Line operator with direction detection enabled to play different drums according to the direction you slide your fingers to create interesting beats.
It also demonstrate the use of overlapping operators. The Pink octogone Polygon operator play strings while the overlapped Blue octogone Polygon operator plays the same drums as the Lines.
This Live project uses a Quantize module made with Max4Live.
In order to work you must hit the PLAY button in Live.
Credits: Maxforlive Quantize Device By Nonagon / Get the latest version of the module.
4/ Ascending/Descending 3rd
- Download the Ableton Live Project: http://d.pr/f/fDQ8
This scene demonstrate how to play major or minor chords according to the direction you slide your finger.
The yellow lines are transposed by one semitones according direction you glide or strum on it.
The top row work with behaviours and the bottom row use direction detection to provide same functionality.
To play with this scene, you can use any synth you want. Any background compatible app could do the job.
5/ Circle & Bass
- Download the Ableton Live Project: http://d.pr/f/cGNA
This scene demonstrate the use of Circle, Line and Fader operators with some Behaviours to create various interesting beats.
6/ Minor/Major 3rd
- Download the Ableton Live Project: http://d.pr/f/zhwC
This scene demonstrate how to play minor and major third in a easy way.
It is an horizontal sequence of minor and major third, 3 semitones and 4 semitones. Notice than 3+4 or 4+3 = 7, a fifth.
Vertical axis increment by semitones. it allow to augment or diminish any notes of the simples chords you get when you just play 4 consecutive notes on a horizontal line.
The big yellow circles on top permute all minor and major intervals.
Watch Herrmutt Lobby play with this scene and only Background Audio Apps.
7/ 2 chords nes
- Download the Ableton Live Project: http://d.pr/f/pOja
The two green circles operators on the left control the pitch of the yellow operators + some bonus.
