A few weeks ago, we visited Ben Böhmer in his studio in Berlin to learn more about how he sets up his amazing live performances. ★ TIMECODES ★ 00:00 Intro 00:27 Ben explain's his Live Setup 17:15 Live Performance
thank you, but you don't explain how works in your setup the pads A-P (pads under volume faders) of your xone's controller. From your live video it seems you don't use them to control clips and arrangement, as you could do with a Push controller for example.
This collaboration between Ben and PML is GOLD for the producer community! Thanks a lot to everyone who is a part of this project and especially thanks to Ben for showing his magic in Ableton!! 🙏🏻
OVERVIEW OF USED GEAR by Ben • Main Controller: Xone k2 (3 of them) • Live Midi Keyboard: Korg Minilogue XD • External Reverb: Eventide Space Pedal • Loop Controller: Akai Midimix • DAW: Ableton Live
Very interesting and helpful video! Thx a lot ... One question: does he use mix-down-stems of different groups (i.e. Sequencers, pads ...) because 3x4 Xone channels + 8 Akai channels (perc loops only) - that's not very much for a complex production ?
I've been coasting for years doing a few hours a month or so with a Maschine that I have come to realise I hate, wheras I love Ableton. Watching his track in 20 mins video made me buy a second hand Push and Ableton 11 so I can get stuck into it again
I wonder how many people saw Ben playing the Minilogue XD during his sets and rushed out and got one but it's actually only controlling a Diva VST plugin. I nearly did but then when I listened to the Minilogue I changed my mind and now I know why. Thanks for sharing how you create your magic on stage.
I've been wanting a minilogue xd and knowing he used one made me want to get it even more. However, as I watched this video again, I just learned that he uses it to control Diva, which is a vst that I want and plan to get soon. I still may get the minilogue because I want an analog synth, which would also be my first analog synth.
I knew immediately that was not Korg sound, but impressive nevertheless how he uses it. The fact that the parameters are identical to diva is what really sales. Diva is an amazing VST.
I've been listening to drum & bass almost non-stop for the last decade. My opinion is that there are several jewels in each genre. But lately, however, maaaaaaaan, I really like deep house. Ben and all involved, God bless you.
@@kiethj7 Also music goes through patches that appeal to you - for a while I didn't listen to much else that dnb (maybe early 2010's) but now there's just not much new dnb that excites me whereas Anjunadeep are just killing it
@@ConflictedYouth Busy producing album at the moment I'll share a link to the Ben Bohmer style track I'm working on when Ive published it. But for now check out some videos on www.shenfm.com if you have time
Wowww I didn't imagine he does this live! Now I understand why his sets sound so human. Ben Bohmer is the best, I wish him all the best. Maybe you should do a masterclass featuring him!
Ben, your sound... it feels like what joy would sound like. It has depth that lets you breath into the space around you. Thank for sharing your heart through your music and the fun technical work behind it.
I always feel Deadmau5 should never be named next to all the other ones... Each time I read his name I'm like "errr what, no way". Am I the only one to think his music is very cheesy and commercial ?
@@James-pc1ku Im not talking about the style here mate. Im talking how this man puts all his time in his studio and then he still goes and gives a live performance of what he did. It is a more elegant way of showing off his music. Better than grabbing a song that we all know, matching the tempo with another song that we all know and mix em together xD. But I agree with you, Everybody shouldbe pursuing their own style. But fans would appreciate the artists even more if they could just not go in stage and DJ. Cheers my friend!
@@aShtk85 You could be right. His music has somehow touched the commercial taste, I'm not arguing that. But I'm not talking only about the music here, I'm talking about all the extra work behind of making his cube (which is his IDEA) and how he comes up with things to create stuff on live and deliver something completely different to the audience. That's what I think everyone should be pursuing. Cheers my friend
You can do a lot more than he does, and you have thousand ways to do it. He doesn't trigger scenes by hand at all, so his set is not very flexible to my opinion. He controls the effects, but the durations of the songs are always the same. I prefer something like Thylacine for example. He launchs his scenes. So if he his in a club, he can begin a song with the bass and the kick, if he is in a more quiet place, he can bring the melody first. He can switch parts if he wants too. He can mix two songs together also. It helps a lot for transitions. He can really re-arrange his songs from the construction, to effects & transitions. I mean I really like Bohmer's work but not my favorite way to do live sets.
Outstanding author who is really pushing the whole industry forward. Making music every time, not just mixing ready tracks with a crossfader. Genius! 🤞
Pure gold, Ben`s setup is very intelligent...clean structure and a lot of space for creativity. It takes years to develop such a system...thank you for sharing it!
Thanks Stefan, couldn't agree more. This system takes a lot of preparation, iterations and trial and error to set up properly. It's kind of similar to what David August figured out to work for his sets (example: Boiler Room Set). BTW: I'm still a big fan of your "Read All About It" mix. It's such a fantastic piece of music! Cheers!
This is extremely valuable guys! I did bought your complete courses bundle and I would totally buy a complete course with Ben Böhmer as an instructor. Ps: maybe a masterclass would be possible? 😅
I met Ben backstage at the Anjunadeep Printworks show in London last year. We talked about his live setup and our shared use of the Akai APC40 mk2. Really nice guy, and an inspiration for my own live setup!
@@alexchavosaurus9041 For sure! That's one of the great things about Ableton and all these hardware controllers - there's so much room for customisation! Nowadays I find the Push 2 suits me best, but I'd also love to have a couple of xone's cos they look badass haha
@@westparade4366 honestly I love Abletons versatility. It really works like magic with some of these controllers. I saw the xone here for the first time and now I want to try them haha! I’ve been debating on getting a push 2 controller. I think the debate is over though because there are so many useful features!
@@alexchavosaurus9041 Yeah man, I'd definitely recommend the Push! It's totally worth the money and gives you so much more hands on control. Go for it!
Ben B is such an incredible musician, he has a deep insight into making music that is beautiful and good for the soul. I find his music, and the way he plays it, completely mesmerising and immediately puts my mind in a better place! Thanks Ben, keep it up!
Sehr tolles Video, soo viel Arbeit die Herr Böhmer in die Entwicklung seines SetUps gesteckt hat. Das mit uns zu teilen ist nicht selbstverständlich! Ich könnte da stundenlang zuschauen und zuhören. Für mich einer der talentiertesten Producer für elektronische Tanzmusik der Neuzeit. So viel Leidenschaft und Hingabe für das was er macht. Eine Inspiration für alle Anfänger und Pro‘s und dabei sehr bodenständig.
what a g really out here making beats feel liveee. not a lot of producers know how to make electronic music really feel unique every time it is played 🐸
Love this - thank you PML and thank you Ben ^-^ The man, without a doubt, has unique sound and the fact that he plays all his sets live, is undeniable sign of a true musician ^.^ 00:17 - "I don't know how to DJ - I guess I'll just play all my sets live" xD
Thanks for this amazing mastermind of Ben. There is a famous video of Jim Morrison where he predicts the Future of Music. Can't think of better video and artist that suits this prediction. Would be great to hear from Ben what he thinks future of music in 30 years would look like!
Finally, someone who admits midi-mapping is a f... nightmare !! After so many years, why do we still have to use a completely outdated standard (afaik midi 2.0 does not address this issue) ? Great video BTW - showing all the (necessary) details to get things working for Ben's (live) workflow ! It takes serious thinking & effort to translate the concept in your head to something that actually does the job. 🙏👍
What I wouldn't give to A) see what all this stuff costs... and B) have someone like Ben teach courses in person to train us to make this incredible music!!!!
Thank you for showing us your live setup. I'm a new fan because of this! 'I never learned that' I.e. DJng. Brother, I'm with you.Here's to producing our own vibes 🙂
"I don't know how to play DJ-sets and I've never learned i." Nice! I can't DJ either and want to perform on stage. This is highly inspirational (and your music is superb). 👍
Got to say its amazing watching the skills of Ben in action. I've been listening to Sync24 and Carbon Based Lifeforms and came across his live sets. His music is stunning to listen to so different to much of the offerings out there
Awesome video! Beautiful melodic and inspiring music Ben!! It is so helpful to see what goes into the process of your live performances. I love PML I am learning so much in your courses
Awesome Ben, Thanks for giving us a deeper look into the production of your beautiful music! The last Set for Amazon was amazing. Keep on creating. Grüße aus Sydney :)
