The school where I teach - Pop Studio Academy

 How did Pop Studio Academy begin?

Established in 2002 by Ashe Narayan, POP Studio featured the first soundproofed practice studio in Singapore dedicated to DJs. Over time, the requests for DJ lessons increased and POP Studio DJ was born. The jamming studio expanded into a place of education for local and regionally DJs to practice and expand their knowledge. With increased demand for performances and talent, the school formed Knight Out to manage events, collaborations and DJ bookings for potential students. 

Always at the cutting edge of the evolution of music, the school added electronic music production courses to the arsenal of academic options available to students. Visit the Pop Studio Academy website to find out more.

What are our goals?

At POP Studio Academy, our boutique school offers a comprehensive electronic music education—from beginner-friendly classes to advanced training in DJing, music production, and live performance. No matter your background or starting point, we’ll guide you through every step of your musical journey.

We believe that musicality—not just technical skill—is what truly connects with audiences. That’s why our program goes beyond what online tutorials can offer. Yes, you’ll master the tools and techniques, but just as importantly, you’ll learn how to craft performances that resonate and leave people wanting more.

Whether you’re working, studying, serving NS, or simply juggling a busy life, our flexible, blended learning approach is designed to fit your schedule. You’ll be supported by experienced electronic music educators who understand how to nurture talent at every level.

Learn how to produce music and remixes with Ableton Live at Pop Studio Academy, Singapore

 

Interested in learning how to make your own music, cover version, remix your favourite song, or take your existing music production skills to the next level? 

Open up new possibilities with music production and music performance classes led by Ableton Certified Trainer Ben Ang. If you're in Singapore, come for lessons at our exclusive music production school Pop Studio Academy. 

Find out how to make music on Ableton Live, Ableton Push, Ableton Move, and more. Click on the Course links or e-mail ben.ang.music@gmail.com to find out more 

How to play Electronic music live

Thus article compiles several resources on how to perform electronic music live

Tips on how to bring electronic music live on stage

EXPOSED MAGAZINE 

https://www.exposedmagazine.co.uk/features/tips-on-how-to-bring-electronic-music-live-on-stage/

1. PLAY WITH SOUND eg changing envelopes or the equalizer live.

2. Arrange live

3. Use Controllers eg to change all parameters like volume, effects, equalizer, oscillators

4. Use MIDI instruments like drum kits, wind

5. Add acoustic instruments

Definition of Live Set by pheek

https://audioservices.studio/performance/how-to-prepare-for-playing-a-live-set-part-1

"To me, a live set of electronic or computer-based music:

• implies playing your own music.
• is not playing songs as is. Nothing pre-recorded unless live tweaking is involved.
• involves some improvisation; experiments and an element of risk taking.
• means that there are some possible interactions with the audience; therefore the timeline of songs played shouldn’t be planned in advance (like they often are in a DJ set).
• should be unique every time you play it. But I understand this is difficult and/or not important to everyone."

Learn Music Production or Performance on Ableton Live in Singapore

 

Updated 1 January 2023

Interested in learning how to make your own music, or take your existing music production skills to the next level? Open up new possibilities with music production and music performance classes led by Ableton Certified Trainer Ben Ang and Ableton Trainer Tan E-Reng (Falling Islands). If you're in Singapore, come for lessons at Pop Studio Academy. If you're not in Singapore, meet us by video call and learn in the comfort of your own home. Find out how to make music on Ableton Live, Ableton Push, Ableton Max for Live and more. Click on the Course links or e-mail ben.ang.music@gmail.com to find out more 

Sat 3 Sep 3pm Ableton User Group SIngapore Gathering - feat Claire Marie Lim (dolltr!ck)

POP Studio Academy is proud to be supporting this edition of Ableton User Group Singapore Gathering with special guest Claire Marie Lim (dolltr!ck) from New York!

Find out how Claire creates and performs music in Ableton Live, learn cool Ableton Live tips and techniques, and meet other people who share your interest in making music.

Hosted by our very own Ableton Certified Trainer, Ben Ang, the session will be informative, educational, and fun.

💻 Ableton User Group Singapore is where you will meet passionate independent musicians and producers ready to share their knowledge and experience. Whether you’re just starting out with Ableton Live or already have a few versions under your belt, the Ableton User Groups are open to any interested Live user.

Join us this 3rd of September and we welcome Claire Marie Lim back to the sunny Islands of Singapore.

FREE Entry but tickets are limited to get yours now here https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/ableton-user-group-singapore-gathering-feat-claire-marie-lim-dolltrck-tickets-407351829287

Official School

POP Studio Academy

https://popstudioacademy.com/

Official Partner

City Music Singapore

https://www.citymusic.com.sg/

Official Venue

Crane Living

https://www.wearecrane.com/

Schedule

3.00 Registration

3.10 How Endless jam works with Ableton (Falling Islands)

3.20 Up close and personal with dolltr!ck (Claire Marie Lim)

3.30 Tips and Techniques for producing and performing (Claire Marie Lim)

4.15 Q&A (Ben Ang / Claire Marie Lim)

4.30 Performance by (dolltr!ck)

4.45 Tea break social

5.00 Closing

Address

Crane

46 Kim Yam Road ##01-06,

Singapore, 239351

CLAIRE MARIE LIM

Claire Marie Lim is a Singapore-born music technologist and educator, also active under her artist project dolltr!ck. She specializes in instruction for live electronic performance, production and programming, and is an advocate of women and Asian representation in music technology.

Classically-trained as a pianist, flautist and composer, Claire slipped headfirst into the abyss of electronic music in college. She emerged from its depths as a DJ, remixer and live performance designer for numerous award-winning artists, including two-time Grammy nominees Alphabet Rockers, acclaimed keyboardist Rachel Z, My Brightest Diamond and Nona Hendryx of Labelle.

Full bio here https://www.ableton.com/en/certified-training/claire-marie-lim/

BEN ANG

Ben Ang (Ableton Certified Trainer) is Lead Electronic Music Instructor at Pop Studio Academy (http://popstudioacademy.com), half of synthpop duo Cosmic Armchair (http://cosmicarmchair.com Instagram @cosmicarmchairofficial), music producer and remixer (http://benangmusic.com Instagram @ben.ang.music), and Principal Tutor of the NUS Electronic Music Lab (http://nuseml.com Instagram @emusiclab)

FALLING ISLANDS

Falling Islands (Tan E-Reng) is a Singapore-based electronic musician and synthesist and also an Ableton Live and Novation Circuit instructor at Pop Studio Academy (http://popstudioacademy). In addition to releasing music as Falling Islands (Instagram @fallingislands YouTube @fallingislands), he does scoring, sound design and soundtrack work, most recently the 2021 hybrid live-show/short film “Past . Presence . Future .” by NUS Electronic Music Lab and NUS Dance Ensemble at the NUS Arts Festival 2021.

Music Production Courses in Ableton Live

Basic Music Production Course (Ableton Live) (updated 1 Sep 2022)

This 12 hour course is ideal for students who want to start learning how to make their own music or remixes or covers. No previous experience in either music software or playing musical instruments is needed. Students with previous experience will be given additional materials to suit their level. See more details.

Advanced Music Production Course (Ableton Live)

This 12 hour course is ideal for students who have completed the BASIC MUSIC PRODUCTION COURSE, or music producers / musicians who already have experience producing music and want to bring their production skills (and their tracks) to the next level. See more details.

Private Classes (Ableton Live)

Learn at your own pace with weekly private classes in electronic music production classes. Build up your music production and beat-making skills, power up your mix with professional advice from our instructors, and learn continuously, focusing on the key skills that you need. 

Duration: 2 hours per class

Fee : $200 per class (Additional hour: $85)

Times: by Appointment

How this class is conducted

• If you are in Singapore, come to our studio at  Pop Studio Academy
• If you are not in Singapore, you can learn by video call in the comfort of your own home.
• All lessons are one to one
• Your instructor will guide you through the software (90 day free demo) on your own computer - so you will be hands on creating your own music

 

Make new chord progressions & melodies (even without music theory)

Learn how to make new chord progressions and melodies with help from Autochord (free resource) and Ableton Live. You can make chord progressions even if you don't know music theory, and if you do know music theory, this is a tool to help you spark new ideas.

Link to Autochord http://autochords.com​ 

This is a lesson by Ben Ang, Ableton Certified Trainer in Singapore, for the National University of Singapore's Electronic Music Lab (NUS EML), a performance group based at the NUS Centre for the Arts (NUS CFA). 

 

How to make a Lo-Fi Beat in Ableton Live 11

Learn how to a make a Lo-Fi Beat using the new features in Ableton Live 11.

2:25 Electric - electric piano music instrument with new graphics

5:05 Macro Snapshots - capture and swap between different versions of an instrument or device

5:30 Hybrid Reverb - combining algorithmic and convolution reverb

7:05 Spectral Resonator - Breaks the spectrum of an incoming audio signal into partials, then stretches, shifts and blurs the result by a frequency or a note in subtle or radical ways

8:33 Spectral Resonator has MIDI sidechain input which allows you to process material in key and even play the device as if it were a polyphonic instrument.

9:50 Collision - physical modeling music instrument with new graphics

11:46 MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) software instruments allow you to control multiple parameters of every note in real time for more expressive instrumental performances.

12:35 Scales - new view in Clip mode makes it easy for you to play in key

15:16  Randomize - Velocity chance define ranges for velocity probability for subtle, humanized variations in the dynamics of your patterns.

16:08 Randomize - Note chance sets the probability that a note or drum hit will occur and let Live generate surprising variations to your patterns that change over time.

17:49 Edit MPE parameters like aftertouch

19:50 Voice Box pack features contemporary vocal samples from multiple voices, a set of playable vocal instruments, and Effect Racks designed for vocal processing.

20:37 Voice Box MIDI devices include Scale Arpeggios which help generate musical phrases in key

This demo was conducted by me for the Central Victoria Ableton User Group.

If you'd like to learn how to make your own electronic music or remixes, in individual lessons, contact me (Ben Ang, Ableton Certified Trainer) at ben.ang.music@gmail.com 

Basic Electronic Music Production Course

Updated 1 September 2022

Back to full list of Music Production Courses

Who this class is for

This course is ideal for students who want to start learning how to make their own music or remixes or covers. No previous experience in either music software or playing musical instruments is needed. Students with previous experience will be given additional materials to suit their level.

How this class is conducted

• If you are in Singapore, come to our studio at Pop Studio Academy
• If you are not in Singapore, you can learn by video call in the comfort of your own home.
• All lessons are one to one
• Your instructor will guide you through the software (90 day free demo) on your own computer - so you will be hands on creating your own music

What you will learn (12 hours total)

Module 1: Introduction to DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) music software

Module 2: Making Beats and Adding Melodies

Module 3: Instruments and Parts

Module 4: Chords, Scales, and Keys

Module 5: Audio Effects

Module 6: Automating Effects

Module 7: Music Arrangement

Module 8: Sound Design

Module 9: Sampling

Module 10: Sound recording and production (vocals or instruments)

Module 11: Mixing down

Module 12: Finale

Download the full course curriculum here

Course Fee : $1020

Duration : 2 hours per class

Total Hours : 12 per course

Classes : by Appointment

Contact us at ben.ang.music@gmail.com to find out more

Back to full list of Music Production Courses

Updated 1 September 2022

Advanced Electronic Music Production Course

Back to full list of Music Production Courses

Who this class is for

This course is ideal for students who have completed the BASIC MUSIC PRODUCTION COURSE, or music producers / musicians who already have experience producing music and want to bring their production skills (and their tracks) to the next level. 

How this class is conducted

• If you are in Singapore, come to Pop Studio Academy
• If you are not in Singapore, you can learn by video call in the comfort of your own home.
• Your instructor will guide you through the software on your own computer - so you will be hands on creating your own music

What you will learn (12 hours total)

Module 1: Workflow and shortcuts

Module 2: Creativity with MIDI Effects

Module 3: Ableton Live Packs and resources

Module 4: Max for Live 

Module 5: Music theory for pop, electronic, and electronic dance music: Chords and Scales

Module 6: Music theory software tools: Chords and Scales in Ableton Live

Module 7: Sound design for pop, electronic, and electronic dance music

Module 8: Transitions, contrast, dynamics, builds, and drops 

Module 9: Vocal and sample processing, auto-tuning, and harmonies

Module 10: Vocal chops and loop slicing

Module 11: Protecting your track - basics of music business, copyright, streaming, and business law

Module 12: Mixing and Mastering for Demos

Download the full course curriculum here

Optional Topics

• Using Ableton Push for production and performance
• Playing MIDI controllers and launchpads
• Remixing
• Vocal chops
• Audio recording

Course Fee : $1120

Duration : 2 hours per class

Total Hours : 12 per course

Classes : by Appointment

Contact us at ben.ang.music@gmail.com to find out more

Back to full list of Music Production Courses

About the Instructor

With over 30 years at the forefront of the local music scene, and 15 years of expertise in Ableton music software, Benjamin Ang now conducts production and performance classes with Ableton Live, Ableton Push, and Max for Live at POP Studio DJ. Ben is one of only 200+ official Ableton Certified Trainers worldwide, and has taught hundreds of students at workshops, seminars, and at the Electronic Music Lab (National University of Singapore).

An ever-present figure in the electronic music production community, Ben has been performing with Ableton Live since 2004, and has been using Ableton Live for music production and teaching courses ever since.

As Principal Tutor of the Electronic Music Lab (EML), a performance group which is part of the Centre for the Arts, National University of Singapore, Ben has been exuding his passion for education through his inspiring and carefully-conducted production classes there, as well as at the School of Music & the Arts (SOMA).

You might also recognise Ben as Cosmic Ben, one half of iconic home-grown electropop/synthpop duo COSMIC ARMCHAIR, described by the Straits Times as a group that ‘defies any form of easy categorisation or criticism’. COSMIC ARMCHAIR were recently signed to international electronic music label Alfa-Matrix, joining a world-renowned roster including the likes of analogue techno icon Adam X and British industrial legends Nitzer Ebb. As of 2018, the group have released four EPs and one full length album, as well as numerous club and dance remixes for European artists. His other musical projects include experimental ambient found sound compositions such as Project FSED.

New release by Cosmic Armchair

  Ben's small group classes at POP Studio DJ include Basic Electronic Music Production, Advanced Electronic Music Production, Basic Electronic Music Performance (Pads), and Advanced Electronic Music Performance (Pads/Controllers). He also conducts public talks and customised workshops, like the one below at City Music.

Learn Music Production / Music Performance on Ableton Live

Updated May 2025

Interested in learning how to make your own music, cover version, remix your favourite song, or take your existing music production skills to the next level? 

Open up new possibilities with music production and music performance classes led by Ableton Certified Trainer Ben Ang. If you're in Singapore, come for lessons at our exclusive music production school Pop Studio Academy. 

Find out how to make music on Ableton Live, Ableton Push, Ableton Move, and more. Click on the Course links or e-mail ben.ang.music@gmail.com to find out more