Date of Award

2017

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Humanities

First Advisor

Dancigers, Mark

Area of Concentration

Music

Abstract

This thesis explores the use of Ableton Live 9 as a means to create contemporary instrumental hip-hop. The origins of instrumental hip-hop are discussed, as well as the methods that producers in the genre use to create their tracks. Furthermore, I will examine how producers in this genre have transitioned from using primarily analog equipment and sampling of pre-existing music to the use of synthesizers and instrument-sampling software, looking at the digital-musical environment found within contemporary instrumental hip-hop. A significant portion of this paper details the process of creating unique digital synthesizer patches, in this case for the Native Instruments Massive software synthesizer. Furthermore, there is a discussion of how digital synthesis was applied to the creation of the songs which make up the compositions accompanying this thesis. Through analysis of some of the songs, I will connect naturally to a discussion of how Ableton has played a role in the recent paradigm shift to digital (in-the-box) production. In order to understand how my personal experiences with instrumental hip-hop have led to my evolving passion for music production, these discussions culminate with an introspective look at my role in this musical movement.

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