ULTIMATE DRILL 808 TUTORIAL | Ableton Drill Live Beat Tutorial

While most DAWs sound the same for drops and melodies, 808 slides require specific techniques that differ between software.

Learn how to make 808 slides in Ableton 11 using the note expression panel.

This technique is unique to Ableton and distinguishes it from other DAWs like FL Studio.

A new approach to creating glides with advanced automation curves and note expression control.

Create a basic drum pattern using the Trouble's drum kit.

Work in E minor scale by enabling the scale feature in the piano roll.

Start by placing the bass note first and muting it to serve as a reference.

Prepare to add 808 bass notes that will later slide between higher and lower positions.

Write higher notes as if composing a melody, similar to how you would in any DAW.

• Underneath the high notes, place lower 808 notes in the same order • Disable the higher notes by pressing 0 to use them as reference helpers

If the beat sounds good at this stage, you're on the right path to creating successful 808 slides.

Now you're ready to use the note expression panel to create the actual slide automation.

In the note expression panel, drag the automation line to match your helper notes and create a curve for the slide.

• Copy the automation from one note to another instead of writing it every time • Adjust the curve to match your helper notes after copying

• Control the slide duration by adjusting the curve length • Experiment with slower or faster slides to find the sound that fits your beat

Slide higher than the target note and quickly return to create dynamic 808 effects.

Adjust slide timing and curve shapes to fit different sections of your beat.

Drawing automation curves lets you control how fast or slow your 808 slides move.

The note expression panel opens unlimited possibilities for creating glides with precise automation control.

• Test this technique in your own beats using Ableton • If using FL Studio, check out the dedicated FL Studio tutorial for their 808 sliding method