Ableton visits the home studio of Berlin-based producer Robert Lippok (Raster Noton, To Rococo Rot). I’m a great fan of Robert’s work; to me, it’s full of musical imagination, and I like his reflective-but-free approach to his music. I had the fortune of interviewing Robert about iOS over the summer in front of the CDR Berlin crowd. (CDR is an excellent, multi-city event that puts production technique under the spotlight.) I know one of the things Robert probably wanted to talk about was the new stuff in Live 9. Now, he can – and it’s interesting to hear what moves him musically. No one musical tool will fit everyone, but this at least illustrates why this particular tool suits him.
Ableton has always faced the challenge of explaining what they mean by “Live.” While being able to work in real-time is essential in performance, it can still be significant in the studio – with no one watching. So, Robert describes “spontaneous” production. Some of the highlights he mentions in the video:
- Improved Max for Live integration, and the variety of new devices
- The MIDI Echo device is one favorite, on percussion
- Library accessibility, particularly finding and dragging and dropping samples
- Convolution reverb, both in its presets and for its ability to let you drop in your own impulse response files for custom effects. (Among the presets, he says he likes “Wooden Room”)
- Session View automation, easier automation editing
It’s not an Ableton product, but for the third time in the past week, we get to highlight Konkreet Performer for control. That app was a favorite for Robert this summer, as well, and you’ll see it back in action controlling his Live 9 and Max for Live rig.
Robert’s rig for the iOS event over the summer. From his notes on Facebook: “preparing tomorrows iPad event. OSC, MIDI, IP Address, hostname, CC….
Konkreet Performer works great with Ableton together. Now i want to know if my Micro Modular does the same. : )”
So, this is how he approaches his tools. Who is Robert, and how did he get where he is? He explains that in a private interview he gave back in the summer at CDR Berlin. (sadly, we’re missing footage of him in the chat with me being totally mesmerized by GarageBand on the iPad!)
A private chat with ROBERT LIPPOK (Raster Noton, To Rococo Rot) at CDR Berlin from CDR on Vimeo.
From our friends at CDR:
Robert Lippok has been an active part of the Berlin music scene for more than 2 decades. As a member of To Rococo Rot he released his latest album on the influencial Raster Noton label. At CDR Berlin on July 12th 2012 he talks about his influences, special turning points in his career and how he explains what he does to his grandmother.