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NYC Ableton User Group – Drum Programming in Live
February 18 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm EST
DJ • Producer • Educator
Kiki Parker, known professionally as Speaker Honey, is a DJ, producer, and educator working across techno and electro. She has released music on respected labels including mau5trap, Octopus Recordings, SNOE, and Desert Hearts, establishing herself within the global electronic music scene. As a performer, she has played major stages such as EDC Orlando and Green Velvet’s La La Land, and has toured internationally alongside artists like deadmau5 and No Mana. Her sound blends analog hardware with modern production techniques. She teaches DJing at 343 Labs, helping students develop technical skills, musical intuition, and a strong understanding of the dancefloor.
DJing • Ableton Live
Producer • Composer • Educator
Owen Ross is a producer and composer focused on electronic music, songwriting, and arrangement. He has released music on labels including BBE and has remixed iconic artists such as The Who, bringing a contemporary perspective to established material. Beyond his studio work, Owen has hosted songwriting camps in Africa and Latin America, collaborating with artists across diverse musical cultures. His approach emphasizes strong musical foundations, structure, and storytelling within electronic production. At 343 Labs, he teaches Ableton Live and composition, helping students develop ideas into fully realized tracks with clarity, direction, and musical depth.
Composition & Arrangement • Ableton Live • Finishing Music Mastery
Producer • DJ • Composer
Pedro Passoni, known as Melon Blush, is a Brazilian producer and DJ whose music blends house, techno, indie dance, and melodic electronic styles. His releases include labels such as Turbo Recordings, Clash Lion, and Massa Records, and he has performed at clubs and festivals across Brazil and Europe. His productions are known for their emotional depth and genre-fluid approach. Pedro also works as a songwriter and is part of the Truelove Music publishing roster. At 343 Labs, he teaches Ableton Live and composition & arrangement, helping students develop a unique sonic identity.
Ableton Live • Composition & Arrangement • DJing
Producer • DJ • Educator
Matthew Martinez is a producer, DJ, and educator with over 20 years of musicianship and nearly a decade of teaching experience. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, he produces and performs as Sentient Number Six, with releases reaching Beatport charts in the psytrance genre. His work combines technical precision with creative exploration. Matthew has performed internationally and remains active in the global electronic music scene. At 343 Labs, he teaches Ableton Live, live performance, and DJing helping students build both technical skills and artistic direction.
DJing • Live Performance • Ableton Live • Hybrid Music Production • Sound Design & Synthesis
AV Artist • Producer • DJ
Alex Ricci is an audiovisual artist, music producer and DJ. Born in Canada, Alex now calls Berlin, Germany home. Alex’s creativity centers around live music performances, production of experimental electronica and techno, and multidisciplinary installation projects combining sound, video, LED lights and sculptural materials. He contributes to Canadian collectives Static Channel and Luxonus, Berlin collectives Mindscape and releases music under the name Alex Iso. Alex holds a Masters in Music Production, Technology and Innovation from Berklee College of Music.
DJing • Ableton Live • Sound Design & Synthesis
Mixing Engineer • Producer • DJ
Kevin McHugh is a producer, mixing and mastering engineer, and international touring DJ. Performing under aliases including Ambivalent and LA-4A, he has played over 600 DJ sets across more than 200 cities worldwide, including Berghain, Nowadays, Elsewhere, Ibiza, and Tokyo. He has released over 50 EPs and four albums on labels such as Drumcode, Minus, Kompakt, and Cocoon, with multiple records reaching the Beatport Top 10 and millions of streams. As an engineer, he has mixed and mastered for artists including DJ Bone, Josh Wink, Skream, and Azealia Banks, as well as brands like HBO, Sony Pictures, and TIME Magazine.
Music Business • Finishing Music Mastery • Mixing & Mastering • Ableton Live • Vocal Production
Producer • AV Artist • Educator
Justin Rockwell is a multidisciplinary artist, producer, and audiovisual performer based in New York City. Performing under the name Blnkng Objkts, he creates immersive live experiences that combine electronic music with visual elements. A graduate of BerkleeNYC, his work spans production, performance, and digital media. Justin’s approach emphasizes creativity across disciplines, blending sound design, composition, and visual storytelling. At 343 Labs, he teaches Logic Pro and Ableton Live, helping students explore new creative directions while building technical skills in both audio and visual environments.
Logic Pro • Ableton Live
Live Performer • Producer • Educator
Caro Duran is a Colombian-born live performer, producer, and Ableton artist known for her work at the intersection of electronic music and live performance. She is an official Ableton artist and brand ambassador for Yamaha and Roland in Latin America. Her work focuses on using Ableton Live as a performance instrument, translating studio productions into dynamic live sets. Caro’s approach emphasizes hands-on control, creativity, and stage presence. At 343 Labs, she teaches live performance and Ableton, helping students build expressive live setups and bring their music confidently into a performance context.
Live Performance • Youth • Ableton Live • DJing
Composer • Producer • Songwriter
Alden Muller is a composer, producer, and songwriter working across video games, theater, and electronic music. Originally from Northern California, he combines strong musical storytelling with technical production skills to create immersive compositions. He composed the score for the dark fantasy game Nothing At Stake. Alden also performs and releases music as Siide Quest, blending humor, narrative, and electronic production. At 343 Labs, he teaches Ableton classes as well as composition and arrangement, helping students translate musical ideas into structured, expressive, and fully realized productions.
Composition & Arrangement • Youth • Logic Pro • Ableton Live
Ableton, Sound Design & Synthesis
Vasco Ispirian came up in Madrid, where he co-founded one of the first-ever successful clubbing DJ collectives in Spain, Innerlife, and became one of the primary residents of Madrid’s legendary house and techno night, The Room, responsible for breaking Madrid’s incoming generation of deeper electronic music. Since 2004, Ispirian has released prolifically for many smaller Spanish labels and retains ties to the most prestigious names in the Spanish scene. As an Ableton-Certified Trainer, Ispirian has taught at Dubspot in New York, Point Blank Music School and is now an instructor at 343 Labs Berlin.
DJ • Producer • Ableton Certified Trainer
Vasco Ispirian came up in Madrid, where he co-founded one of the first-ever successful clubbing DJ collectives in Spain, Innerlife, and became one of the primary residents of Madrid’s legendary house and techno night, The Room, responsible for breaking Madrid’s incoming generation of deeper electronic music. Since 2004, Ispirian has released prolifically for many smaller Spanish labels and retains ties to the most prestigious names in the Spanish scene. As an Ableton-Certified Trainer, Ispirian has taught at Dubspot in New York, Point Blank Music School, and is now an instructor at 343 Labs Berlin. At 343 Labs, he teaches Ableton Live and sound design, helping students build solid foundations and develop their own artistic voice.
Sound Design & Synthesis • Ableton Live • Live Performance
Producer • Composer • Sound Designer
Stasys Musial is a Berlin-based producer and sound designer specializing in electronic music, game audio, and experimental sound design. He has composed music for institutions including Volkstheater Rostock, Theater Bonn, and Anhaltisches Theater Dessau, and has worked with artists such as Underbelly (You Suck At Producing) and Azaleh. His work also includes musical direction, scoring, and sound implementation for multiple self-developed indie games. Trained at the Popakademie Mannheim, Stasys focuses on detailed sound design, complex rhythms, and immersive sonic environments. At 343 Labs, he teaches composition & arrangement as well as sound design, helping students expand their creative range and technical skillset.
Composition & Arrangement • Sound Design & Synthesis
Producer • Mixing Engineer • Songwriter
Rainer Rütsch, also known as Rob Rox, is a German producer, songwriter, and mixing and mastering engineer with extensive international experience. After moving to Los Angeles in 2011, he worked with artists including Lupe Fiasco, BANKS, Imagine Dragons, and Ellie Goulding, developing a strong foundation in modern pop production and mixing. Now based in Berlin, he continues to collaborate with a wide range of artists such as Seven Lions, Jessie J, WhoMadeWho, Klingande, GusGus, and Kungs. Known for his clean, powerful, and emotionally driven sound, Rainer teaches vocal production, mixing, and mastering at 343 Labs, helping students create polished, industry-ready records.
Vocal Production • Music Business • Mixing & Mastering • Logic Pro
Producer • Ableton Certified Trainer • Label Owner
Peter Trimbacher, also known as Metapattern, is a Berlin-based producer, Ableton Certified Trainer, label owner, and author. With over 15 years of experience in the electronic music industry, he has released music on respected labels including MORD, Hayes, and Truncate, and is known for his distinctive approach to techno production and live performance. He is also the lead author of The Secrets of Techno Production, reflecting his deep technical knowledge and commitment to education. Peter’s work combines sound design, rhythm, and improvisation. At 343 Labs, he teaches Ableton Live and sound design, helping students develop both technical mastery and creative control.
Ableton Live • Sound Design & Synthesis
Mixing Engineer • Mastering Engineer
Marian Hafenstein is a Berlin-based mixing and mastering engineer with extensive international credits across music and media. His work has been released on major labels including Universal Music, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, Interscope, and BMG. He has worked with artists such as Oliver Tree, Diplo, Interpol, Nina Chuba, Rina Sawayama, and Louis Tomlinson, and contributed to projects for clients including Netflix, The Voice Rap, and Ich will zum ESC!. With over 800 releases and more than 440 million streams, Marian is ranked in the top 2% of mixing and mastering engineers on Muso. At 343 Labs, he teaches mixing and mastering, helping students achieve professional, release-ready sound.
Producer • DJ • Vocal Producer
Stella Key is a producer, DJ, and topliner from the Netherlands known for her melodic, bass-driven electronic sound. Her music has accumulated over 65 million streams across platforms and has been featured on major Spotify editorial playlists including Mint and Dance Covers. As a performer, she has opened for artists such as Tiësto and DVBBS, bringing her sound to international audiences. Combining songwriting, vocals, and production, Stella creates emotionally driven, club-ready tracks. At 343 Labs, she teaches Ableton Live and vocal production, helping students develop their songwriting, refine their sound, and build complete, professional records.
Vocal Production • DJing • Ableton Live
Techno Producer • DJ • Label Owner
John Selway is a New York–based electronic music producer, DJ, label owner, and educator who has been active in the international electronic music scene since the early 1990s. With releases on respected labels such as Drumcode, Ovum, Tronic, and Intec, and decades of experience as both a performer and producer, he has developed a deep understanding of groove, arrangement, and electronic music production. As a label owner and longtime educator, John brings both artistic and industry knowledge into the classroom. At 343 Labs, he teaches Ableton, sound design & synthesis, and his own “Making Techno” class, helping students develop strong technical skills and their own artistic voice.
Sound Design & Synthesis • Ableton Live
Producer • Composer • Sound Engineer
Icarus Moth is the sonic project of electronic music producer, pianist, and sound engineer Nathan Miller. Born in Denver and based in Brooklyn, Miller’s own work has spanned a formidable career, recording and touring with some of the most prominent independent acts such as MEMBA, Mothica, and Ehiorobo, in addition to work for Atlantic Records, Mercedes Benz, Geberit, and UMG. His work under Icarus Moth blossomed in late 2016 with a remix of alt-Js Breezeblocks, which drew the attention of national artists and garnered 10 million plays on Spotify.
Ableton Live • Composition & Arrangement
Producer • DJ • TeamSupreme Founder
Dane Morris, known professionally as Great Dane, is a Brooklyn-based producer and DJ known for his work in bass music and forward-thinking electronic production. Over the past decade, he has released six full-length albums and performed internationally, including major festivals such as EDC Las Vegas and Coachella, as well as touring alongside artists like Diplo, Flying Lotus, and Tokimonsta. As a co-founder of TeamSupreme and founder of ADBC Records, Dane has been deeply involved in artist development and the independent electronic music scene. At 343 Labs, he teaches music production and DJing, focusing on creativity, arrangement, and developing a distinct artistic voice.
Ableton Live • DJing • Finishing Music Mastery • Composition & Arrangement
Mastering Engineer • Ableton Certified Trainer • Author
Brian Jackson is a Brooklyn-based producer, audio engineer, Ableton Certified Trainer, and author with over 20 years of experience in music production and education. Originally from Detroit, Brian has worked across independent and commercial music, collaborating with artists such as Idris Elba, Chris Baio (Vampire Weekend), Bombay Dub Orchestra, and Chemlab, and has worked with companies including Ableton, Access Music, and d16. He is the author of The Music Producer’s Survival Guide and has taught and designed curriculum for SAE Institute, IAR, Dubspot, and The New School.
Hybrid Music Production • Mixing & Mastering • Ableton Live • Finishing Music Mastery
Composer • Cellist • Producer
Brent Arnold is a composer, cellist, and producer whose work spans film, television, theater, and live performance. He composed the cello music for the acclaimed TV series Louie and co-wrote the opera Ali, performed at La Monnaie in Brussels. Brent has collaborated with artists including Modest Mouse, Reggie Watts, and The Antlers, and has performed internationally across a wide range of musical settings. His work bridges classical training and contemporary production. At 343 Labs, he teaches composition and arrangement, helping students develop musical depth, emotional expression, and strong compositional foundations.
Producer • DJ • Educator
Abe Duque is a New York–based techno producer, DJ, and educator with a career spanning more than three decades. Emerging from the early underground scene, he has released extensively on influential labels such as Tresor, Cocoon, Ovum, and Plus 8, and remixed artists including The Chemical Brothers and Pet Shop Boys. As a performer, he has played leading clubs and festivals worldwide, including Berghain, Fabric, Sónar, and Time Warp. Alongside his artist career, Abe is a highly respected educator, teaching production, mixing, and music business while helping students develop their own sound and long-term artistic direction.
Ableton Live • Mixing & Mastering • Music Business • Hybrid Music Production • Live Performance • Finishing Music Mastery
We are excited to bring you the next in-person NYC Ableton User Group meetup! As always, the meetup is open to producers, songwriters, DJs, and musicians of all types and proficiency levels looking to exchange ideas, network, meet like-minded producers, and learn new tips and tricks from our presenters and fellow participants.
In this special topic Ableton User Group, we’ll look at drum programming in Live 12 from a beginner perspective. We’ll discuss the difference between making your drums with audio samples and MIDI, when to use Session view vs. Arrangement view, and how drum programming looks different for different genres.
During the event, you will also have the opportunity to see the 343 Labs facilities, meet some of their instructors, and learn about their courses.
This month’s Ableton User Group will be hosted by John Selway.
John Selway is one of 343’s longest-standing instructors and is considered a pillar of the 343 community, known for his wildly popular Techno Saturdays stream on 343 TV. He is considered a techno trailblazer of his time, with a career that started in his hometown, NYC, in the 90s. He is known for his contributions to the early productions of Deep Dish, his first success as part of the seminal New York underground duo Disintegrator, his long-running collaboration with Christian Smith, and his many releases on Serotonin records.
Links:
Website
Details
Organizer
Venue
New York, NY 10011 United States + Google Map
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