ABLETON LIVE
COURSES MEET 7-10pm CST BOTH:
ONLINE w/ INSTRUCTOR - ALDEN GROVES
MINNEAPOLIS w/ INSTRUCTOR - MIKERAT
Winter Semester
Level 1 - Mondays 01/29/24 - 04/15/24
Level 2 - Thursdays no open enrollment
Level 3 - Wednesdays 01/31/24 - 04/17/24
Enrollment Now Open
Spring Semester
Level 1 - Thursdays 04/25/24 - 07/18/24
Level 2 - Mondays 04/22/24 - 07/15/24
Level 3 - Wednesdays 04/24/24 - 07/10/24
Enrollment opens 02/12/24
Summer Semester
Level 1 - Mondays 07/22/24 - 10/07/24
Level 2 - Thursdays 07/25/24 - 10/10/24
Level 3 - Wednesdays 07/24/24 - 10/09/24
Enrollment opens 05/06/24
Fall Semester
Level 1 - Thursdays 10/17/24 - 01/23/25
Level 2 - Mondays 10/14/24 - 01/13/25
Level 3 - Wednesdays 10/16/24 - 01/15/25
Enrollment opens 08/05/24
MINNEAPOLIS w/ INSTRUCTOR - MIKERAT
ONLINE w/ INSTRUCTOR - ALDEN GROVES
BOTH MEET
7-10pm CST
Winter Semester
Enrollment Now Open
Level 1 - Mondays 01/29/24 - 04/15/24
Level 2 - Thursdays no open enrollment
Level 3 - Wednesdays 01/31/24 - 04/17/24
Spring Semester
Enrollment opens 02/12/24
Level 1 - Thursdays 04/25/24 - 07/18/24
Level 2 - Mondays 04/22/24 - 07/15/24
Level 3 - Wednesdays 04/24/24 - 07/10/24
Summer Semester
Enrollment opens 05/06/24
Level 1 - Mondays 07/22/24 - 10/07/24
Level 2 - Thursdays 07/25/24 - 10/10/24
Level 3 - Wednesdays 07/24/24 - 10/09/24
Fall Semester
Enrollment opens 08/05/24
Level 1 - Thursdays 10/17/24 - 01/23/25
Level 2 - Mondays 10/14/24 - 01/13/25
Level 3 - Wednesdays 10/16/24 - 01/15/25
MINNEAPOLIS w/ MIKERAT
ONLINE w/ ALDEN GROVES
BOTH COURSES MEET 7-10pm CST
Winter Semester - Enrollment Now Open
Level 1 - Mondays 01/29/24 - 04/15/24
Level 2 - Thursdays no open enrollment
Level 3 - Wednesdays 01/31/24 - 04/17/24
Spring Semester - Enrollment opens 02/12/24
Level 1 - Thursdays 04/25/24 - 07/18/24
Level 2 - Mondays 04/22/24 - 07/15/24
Level 3 - Wednesdays 04/24/24 - 07/10/24
Summer Semester - Enrollment opens 05/06/24
Level 1 - Mondays 07/22/24 - 10/07/24
Level 2 - Thursdays 07/25/24 - 10/10/24
Level 3 - Wednesdays 07/24/24 - 10/09/24
Fall Semester - Enrollment opens 08/05/24
Level 1 - Thursdays 10/17/24 - 01/23/25
Level 2 - Mondays 10/14/24 - 01/13/25
Level 3 - Wednesdays 10/16/24 - 01/15/25
Members can login to add this class to their schedule. Join today. Learn more about Membership
Join Ableton Certified Trainers and learn the world's leading production platform.
Ableton Live is the premier production and performance software on the market. Our Ableton Live Program is a six-month plan designed to give students a comprehensive understanding of this powerful and versatile tool. Every student leaves with the ability to produce music in any genre, under any circumstances.
Students can take the full Ableton Live Course over the course of three 12-week Levels:
- Ableton Live 1 - Basics:
- Learn the fundamental concepts and workflows that are employed when creating music using the Ableton software. Explore the interface with expert guidance to unlock a holistic understanding of all of the ways to use Ableton Live. Create original MIDI sequences, audio recordings, automations, and arrangements alongside our expert instructors. This course ends with a deep dive into effects processing and learning how to sculpt your tracks into something that is alive, dynamic, and professional.
- Ableton Live 2 - Instruments and Effects:
- Pick up where Ableton 1 leaves off with a deep dive into learning the synthesizers, samplers, and advanced effects and instruments of Ableton Live. Learn to connect, control, and produce music with your studio using external equipment such as microphones, instruments, external hardware, MIDI controllers, and the Ableton Push. This course finishes up with the exploration of live performance techniques including DJing with Live and playing and conducting an original live performance that incorporates live instruments, looping, and jamming on your original song ideas.
- Ableton Live 3 - Mixing, Mastering, and Song Completion:
- Ableton 3 focuses entirely on helping you finish your tracks and making them sound like your favorite music. Learn advanced mixing and mastering techniques, as well as sound design, effects processing, and arrangement strategies to help your music really shine. Work alongside master producers and engineers as they work with you on your songs to get them ready for streaming services or the main stage.
What Our Students Have To Say
Joshua Tolund (Motiz)
Motiz was already an experienced producer but wanted to get deeper into effects and sound design.
Mike Rieckenberg (Specks)
After one year, Specks is putting out finished, professional albums. “Slam is like hanging out with your best friend.”
Julie Thoreen
Julie talks about her creative process that she found in the Sound Design Program, and learning to find her sound.
Ben Gardner (Bolo)
Listen to Bolo talk about the resources he had access to as a student at Slam. Ben got from the classroom to the stage in no time.
Maggie Schultesis (Magnetik)
Getting that immediate feedback from instructors and classmates was a highlight for Magnetik during her time in class!
Rex
Rex was looking for a way to build connections while he learned, and a place he could make his own.
Ali Coyle (DJ Ali D)
DJ Ali D had always wanted to learn to DJ, ever since she was a kid. She found Slam and was able to turn that into a reality.
Mike Johnson (Michaelton)
Michaelton came to us after completing a traditional college music education. Hear what he has to say about the differences.
Jacob Butler
Check out student Jacob Butler talking about his experience in the Ableton Program, and his “Break-through A-Ha” moment.
Patrick Caye (Verum)
Check out Verum talking about his musical journey, finding confidence in his skills and a home at Slam Academy.
Renne Knott (Xeela)
After taking our program and learning some workflows and filling in those gaps, Xeela is finishing tunes and growing at a quicker pace!
Jason Soderlund
Jason is a guitar player who came to Sound Design to explore ways to extend his guitar techniques.
Alex (Moonshine)
Moonshine found a sense of community waiting for him on campus when he stepped through the door.
Michael Evalds
Walking in, Michael couldn’t even find the kick and the downbeat. Now he is making amazing tracks in Ableton Live.
Katie (K80)
K80 talks about her experience not even knowing how to open the program all the way to making her first tracks.
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR:

ALDEN GROVES
Boasting more than a decade of music production, education, and performance, Alden Groves is known for his ability to work in a multitude of styles. From Bass Music to Pop to Hip-Hop, his versatility reflects a deep and nuanced understanding of modern music.

MIKERAT
Slam Academy’s original ninja. Across dozens of original tunes, MikeRat has become a heavy hitter in the Minneapolis glitch-hop scene. A resident performer of Infrasound, his sets are fun, bright, and riddled with samples from old kung-fu movies.
PROGRAM INCLUDES:
- Instant access to course materials online
- Exclusive Ableton Certified Training
- 3 hours weekly class time online or in-person
- 3 x 12-week levels of in-depth curriculum
- 1-on-1 help guidance from instructors
- Extra lab time available online
- Personalized feedback on your tracks
- Invitation to our private online community
- Check out all the additional member benefits!
PRODUCE
Navigate modern music-making tools with confidence to create your own sound and express your musical ideas.
PERFORM
Share your music with the world. In stage or streaming online, our programs include techniques for live performance.
INDUSTRY
Learn music industry standards, get expert feedback on your tacks, and build connections.