Hardware Integration with Ash Luk – September 2025

Course Description

This course is designed to support female and gender-expansive artists using synths, drum machines, or hardware effects to create a seamless hardware-software setup for dynamic music production. This course is designed to support female and gender-expansive artists using synths, drum machines, or hardware effects to create a seamless hardware-software setup for dynamic music production.We will address common challenges faced by artists new to working with external instruments and explore innovative techniques such as MIDI sequencing, external audio routing, and sampling from unconventional sources. The course also covers the essentials of designing a functional live setup, including gear integration, signal flow, and performance workflows. Throughout the series, participants will have opportunities to collaborate and experiment with various gear and audio manipulation methods, culminating in the creation of a short collaborative recording or live performance.
We will address common challenges faced by artists new to working with external instruments and explore innovative techniques such as MIDI sequencing, external audio routing, and sampling from unconventional sources. The course also covers the essentials of designing a functional live setup, including gear integration, signal flow, and performance workflows. Throughout the series, participants will have opportunities to collaborate and experiment with various gear and audio manipulation methods, culminating in the creation of a short collaborative recording or live performance.

Requirements

This class will be taught exclusively in Ableton Live, so participants should have at least a basic understanding of the software and experience working in a DAW environment. You will need access to an audio interface (preferably one with MIDI capabilities). While we’ll touch on aspects of interface use during the course, please familiarize yourself with its basic functions beforehand, and ensure that any necessary drivers, firmware, or software are installed and working on your computer. Participants should also have some familiarity with at least one of the following: synthesizers, samplers, sequencers, or drum machines. Only a basic understanding is required—we’re all about taking your own approach and experimenting, so no need for a deep technical dive. This class is for FLINTA* participants.

Dates & Location