Imagine it's the first night of a an international tour. You're hired as tech to help with playback and drums, and suddenly the MD and keys player gets sick. You've got to step up and run playback and play keys. COULD YOU DO IT? That's exactly what my student David Dombrowski had to do. You'll hear how it went, and why he had the confidence he coul…

Get Access to my weekly group coaching calls 👇 https://fromstudiotostage.com/subscribe In this episode of "Behind the Space Bar," Will shares tips and tricks for successfully upgrading the operating system (OS) on a computer used for live performances. He emphasizes the importance of waiting for bugs to be fixed and being intentional about the timi…

In this episode of "Behind the Spacebar," Will discusses the essential skills needed to become a successful playback engineer. He emphasizes the importance of service, the ability to say "yes" instead of "no," effective file management, quick edits, working quickly, handling multiple tasks, and staying calm under pressure. Key Takeaways: Playback e…

Building a Playback rig? Don't make this mistake that I see all too often in new Playback Techs. The Playback and Playback Tech community is a wonderful community. I love the trend of sharing rig builds and learning what others are doing. Seeing the gear others rely on, and what they use to craft their sound is inspiring. But... I'm noticing an ala…

If you're just starting out with Ableton or using tracks, you're not a burden-we're glad you're here! Every month, I hold a call just for From Studio to Stage students. [Want access? Join me here: https://fromstudiotostage.com/subscribe ] This past month, I noticed an alarming trend. There were multiple people asking questions, and apologizing for …

I’m no swifty… but T-Swift got it right… I’m the problem.. it’s me. Do you believe that the next piece of gear will unlock your potential? We'll debunk the myth of external factors and shed light on the internal drive that genuinely propels us forward. 🚀 Understanding the difference between internal vs. external motivators. Personal experiences fro…

Are you trying to convince your band to use tracks? Here’s a difference approach you can take. I get it. You’ve seen the light. You want your band to use tracks. It’s going to improve your sound, make it easier to perform on stage, but you can’t get the rest of your band on board. I’ve been there. I’ve coached students that are there (or have been …

Sure — anybody can learn how to use Ableton as a software program. But the ones who master using Ableton on stage don’t think of it like that. What’s the difference between knowing how to use Ableton and using it on stage to put on a killer performance? It’s pretty simple, really. It’s your mindset in how you approach it. If you only view Ableton a…

Martin Roberts has had a successful career bringing artists’ records to life on stage (including Shawn Mendes, M83, and others). He’s a playback engineer, music director, system designer, and just an all-around pro. Watch the interview to hear Martin’s thoughts on live performance, playback, gear & music tech, and what it was like working with Shaw…

The bands that use backing tracks the best are the ones that do it without anyone noticing. But how do they do it? Context is everything. EDM, cover bands, acoustic bands — all different types of bands use tracks. But they don’t all put the same stuff in the tracks because, well, it would be ludicrous for an 808 drop to happen in an acoustic set (o…

Brian (Not Brain) Funk teaches a class at Berklee Online Online, hosts the The Music Production Podcast, and creates sample packs for Ableton Live (and is also an Ableton Live Certified Trainer). How in the world does he do it all? I got to sit down with Brian to discuss his crazy schedule and how he stays productive and creative with so many thing…

There’s a lot that goes into a redundant playback rig, and it can feel pretty complex to figure out. So, the natural question is…is it really worth all that time and money? I break it all down for you in this video so you can know whether or not you really should invest in one or if you can get by without it. ★ Support this podcast ★…

I’ve helped thousands of people get more out of Ableton. But you shouldn’t trust me. Apparently the best way to trigger anyone who uses Ableton is to show them another way to do things. I’ve spent years creating hundreds of videos and tutorials about using Ableton on stage, and most people have found them helpful (over 4,000 people have now downloa…

If you’re stepping on stage to do anything, embarrassing mistakes are part of the job. I share some of mine and some of my favorites that you all shared with me. If you’ve ever experienced a major on-stage fail, you know what it’s like to want to just crawl into a hole…forever. But you gotta laugh at yourself and just take it on the chin. Especiall…

Jeff is the creator of one of my favorite MIDI controllers ever made: the Oakboard Mini. In this interview, Jeff talks about how he came up with the idea for the Oakboard Mini, and how that eventually grew into a fully-fledged music software and hardware company. I love Jeff’s story because he never set out to start a company. He just started solvi…

Sometimes what seems like the simplest solution is actually the worst. If you’re using your computer to run in-ears, there are a lot of things that can go wrong. I’m as much an advocate for using computers on stage as anyone, but this is one thing that you shouldn’t use your computer for. I’ve got 8 reasons why and what you should do instead. P.S. …

Here’s how to use tracks on stage, without cheating and feeling like a fraud. We’ve all seen those videos of a pop artist’s performance going sideways with tracks and all of the sudden the whole world knows they’re lip-syncing. And yeah, I’m not a fan of that. But that’s not what the way most artists use tracks. Some of the best musicians in the wo…

I’ve been an Ableton Certified Trainer for 13 years. These are the 8 most common questions I get. I take a few minutes to answer each question, but I also share where you can get loads of free resources to dive deeper into each topic. My suggestions on the best gear for live performance 👇 https://fromstudiotostage.com/gear Session View vs. Arrangem…

Mike is a pro drum tech and playback tech — building and setting up rigs for some of the biggest metal artists to…Avril Lavigne and Smashing Pumpkins? Yep. Plus, he’s a From Studio to Stage student. Mike was kind enough to hop on a call with me and share his story about becoming a playback tech and what really helped him get to the point he’s at no…

I’ve made this dead simple. These are the only 5 pieces of gear you need to start running tracks with your band. When it comes to buying gear to run tracks, you’ve got more options than you know what to do with. And if you’re just starting out, it’s hard to know what’s actually necessary versus what can wait til later. Well, I’m making it easy. The…

I branched out from Ableton and live audio for two whole years to run a video broadcast. What I learned surprised me. I never wanted to be a broadcast video guy, and honestly, I don’t know if I’ll do it again. But for 2 years, that was my job. And it was 100% worth it. It made me a better Ableton trainer and playback tech, and it taught me some bas…

I used to see other people in my industry as a threat. And it turned me into a bit of a jerk. But I eventually flipped the script and became a champion of others rather than just viewing them as the competition. I guess I’m still a jerk, but I’ve made a lot of progress (yep, it really was that bad). So to build on this, I’m focusing on community ov…

If I were in charge of a music tech company, these would top my list of things to create. These three pieces of music tech don’t exist yet, or if there’s a version of them that does, there are things I’d change. Or maybe I’m not aware that they do exist! (Drop a comment with a link if they do!) What’s in this episode: 3 ideas for music gear and/or …

Wanna learn Ableton the best and fastest way? Start with these 7 tips that you can do before spending any money. I started using Ableton on stage to run tracks 20+ years ago. I made a lot of mistakes, but also did some things well. Book a 15-minute coaching session with me 👇 https://fs2s.link/15minute Book a 1-hour coaching session with me 👇 https:…

What goes into being a musical & exec producer for a live TV special? How do you manage 40+ musicians on stage? And how do you plan and prepare for it all within just a few weeks? Keith Everette Smith is here to break it all down for us. Keith and I have been friends for long enough to make us both feel old, and he recently invited me to run playba…

Charge too much — no clients. Charge too little — wasting your time. These are both myths. Watch to find out why and learn how to set your rates for teaching Ableton (including a breakdown of my own rates and the reasoning behind them). If you’ve been using Ableton for a while and think you’re ready to start teaching others what you’ve learned, you…

Ableton crashes suck. Take a deep breath, and let’s get you up and running ASAP. Few things are as frustrating as software not working properly. And I get it — you’re relying on Ableton for a live performance. You’ve gotta get this fixed RIGHT NOW! But you can’t rush through troubleshooting — at least not if you want to do it successfully. So do wh…

Don’t make the mistake that brings so many solo live looping shows to a screeching halt. Instead, learn this simple concept from traditional on-stage performers. Bands and artists who play on a stage do this without even thinking. But it’s something live looping and solo artists sometimes overlook — because it’s not inherently built into the set up…

6 side hustle ideas for musicians and how to actually be successful with them. Making extra money from side hustles is completely possible. My entire company started as a side hustle, and I was able to grow it into my main source of income. You can sell your time, your knowledge, or both. In this video, I’m gonna help you get started so you can cru…

Learn exactly when and how you should update your software and hardware. The tale is as old as time (well, as old as the internet has been around, I guess). There’s an update available and you jump on it. Next thing you know, things are broken and you’re chugging coffee trying to fix the mess. If you’ve had that happen, maybe you’ve resolved to avo…

A systematic process to help you quickly troubleshoot when things go wrong in Ableton Live. You can apply this process to anything in Ableton, and honestly anything else you’re troubleshooting. In this episode replay, you’ll learn the four steps to troubleshooting that will help you stay calm, find the problem, and quickly fix it. At the end, I’ll …

Pretty much anybody can learn how to do something or develop a new skill. But experts go beyond just learning how to do something. Today’s throwback episode is from an episode I did in January of 2022 where I talked about the one thing people need to focus on to be successful. The difference between a good guitar player and a great guitar player is…

Why can some people persevere through learning something hard while others give up? This video is a look back at a podcast episode I did in January 2022. In the episode, I talked about how I noticed a difference in people who would stay subscribed and get the most out of my course subscription at From Studio to Stage vs. those who would cancel and …

Bands make these 5 mistakes all the time when running tracks, and it kinda ruins everything. Here’s what they are and how to avoid them. If you’re running tracks on stage or you plan to soon, make sure to avoid these 5 mistakes that way too many people make. Mistake #1: Faking It Don’t have your lead vocal or a blazing guitar solo in your tracks wi…

What’s more important for your musicians, playback techs, and engineers: knowledge or experience? Well, you need both. Here’s why and how to get there. Each of us leans towards one or the other. Maybe you love learning but have some fear or hesitancy when it comes to applying your knowledge. Maybe you love diving into the performance without really…

Click and tracks shouldn’t be universally used by anyone performing on stage. Here are 4 reasons you shouldn’t use them. Every once in awhile, I get someone commenting about how “real musicians” don’t use click and tracks. I’ve spent plenty of time debunking that myth, but I will concede there are times when you shouldn’t use click and tracks live.…

These 5 tips will help you get out of your creative rut and start churning out work. Everyone gets stuck when they’re trying to create something. Even the best artists deal with it. But they also know how to get out of it. Here are 5 tips that I regularly use to get myself out of a rut and start creating. 1. Say it out loud 2. Schedule a pity party…

Ableton doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are 3 simple tips for saving money when purchasing or upgrading Ableton. Tip 1: Ableton for free? Yep. You can get a starter version of Ableton for free. Tip 2: Already have Ableton? Save when you upgrade. Tip 3: Discounts for qualified users: students, churches, etc. Bonus Tip: Discount for From Studio …

I've been running tracks for over 18 years, and I believe these are some of the best free tools out there to add to your Ableton Live setup. S Some will save you time. Others will grant you access to the power of automation. And all of it will cost you $0. Links to resources and tools 👇 MIDI Monitor https://www.snoize.com/midimonitor From Studio to…

If you’re going to use a click, don’t do it like this. Playing with a click track can be a game changer for your band. It can make you sound tighter and also open the door to playing with tracks that can fill out your sound. But there are 5 common mistakes I see bands regularly make. Listen to find out what those mistakes are and why you should avo…

Why do bands do this to themselves?! These are mistakes that are EASY to avoid and ensure you don’t embarrass yourself in front of or distract your audience. 1. Change things right before getting on stage Trust your preparation! If you have a moment of inspiration, write it down as something to try later that you can iron out in a rehearsal. 2. Upd…

I made a pretty big mistake 15 years ago when running tracks for a new gig. What I learned still guides the way I run and teach running tracks with Ableton today. It even inspired the unofficial motto for From Studio to Stage: Humbly Confident. Humbly Curious. In this podcast, I talk about the mistake I made and how you can avoid it. PODCAST: Humbl…

These 6 tips will help you land (and keep) a gig as a playback tech. 1. Start with another role — most playback techs are also guitarists, drummers, or guitar/drum techs that learn Ableton to help their band switch to in-ears and start learning tracks. 2. The Little Mermaid Principle: be where the people are. 3. Show up and genuinely serve. 4. Be a…

WARNING: 🌶 spicy takes inside. Learn what I think is wrong about the way we approach buying music gear and three suggestions for how to do it better. It may sound cool to think PF Flyers are guaranteed to make a kid run faster and jump higher. But if you’re skipping leg day, there’s really no hope for you. Music gear is really only as good as the s…

Tips & tricks to help everyone in the band stay on the same page when things get off the rails. Good bands aren’t perfect bands. Things can go wrong even for the best. But when they do, they have ways to communicate with each other to avoid any noticeable errors. In this episode of Behind the Space Bar, you’ll learn four ways the pros communicate w…

It requires two hands and two feet to play drums. So yeah, sure, let’s add the highly technical responsibility of tracks to the drummer’s plate. Makes sense. Bands that successfully run backing tracks think intentionally about who will be responsible for them. Here are 7 tips to help you choose the right band member to run click and tracks in your …

School’s out for the summer, kids. I won’t be making any new content this week, but there are some links below to some recent content you might have missed. I’ll be back at it next week so stay tuned for some exciting new stuff I’ve got coming your way. Thanks for subscribing, watching, and/or listening in. Because of you, I get to do this full tim…

Learn how to get your computer ready to use on stage. If you’re going to use Ableton Live on stage, you’ve got to make sure your computer is setup and configured properly. In this episode of Behind the Spacebar, you’ll learn the best practices and best steps to follow to get your computer ready for the stage. Should you update to Ableton Live 11.1?…

If you're using click and tracks on-stage with your band, you don't have to sacrifice your transitions. In this episode of Behind the Spacebar, we discuss some of the most common mistakes we make and how to improve your transitions between songs. Download Free Resources for Running Tracks https://fs2s.link/free For all episodes of Behind the Space …

Learn what a redundant playback rig is, and why you should use one. If you're using tracks on stage, you should be using a redundant rig. In this episode, I explain what a redundant rig is and why it's essential if you're using tracks on stage. Download Free Resources for Running Tracks https://fs2s.link/free For all episodes of Behind the Space Ba…