In the studio, where do the technical tasks end and the creative work begin? In this episode of Doing Music, Ebonie Smith talks to Craig Schuftan about her work as an engineer and producer for Atlantic Records. Ebonie's varied career covers a lot of ground, and she describes the influence she draws from cinema soundtracks and celebrates the ingenuity of contemporary hip-hop and trap producers. From the unique challenges of working with spoken word performers to amplifying the voices of Black women, poets and political figures, Ebonie offers unique insight into the top tier of major label production and the artistry you can bring to the most technical jobs.

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Danny Elfman - The Nightmare Before Christmas OST

101 Dalmatians OST

Alice Randall

Phillis Wheatley - On Imagination

Kris Bowers - Bridgerton OST

Kesha Lee & Lil Uzi Vert

Recording Unhinged Book About Unconventional Techniques By Sylvia Massy And Chris Johnson

Keep up with Ebonie Smith on Instagram, on YouTube and via her website.

Tell us what you think of this episode: doingmusic@ableton.com

Doing Music is brought to you by Ableton. Follow us on TikTok and Instagram.

When does a technical challenge become an artistic act? In this episode of Doing Music, producer and educator Chuck Sutton talks to Craig Schuftan about the musical results he gets from creative problem solving. As a teacher with a busy YouTube channel, Chuck has lots to say about bridging the gap between accessible information for beginners and compelling insights for experienced Live users. His enthusiasm for the hidden character in the most universal tools made him the perfect choice to make the demo song for Live 12, bringing the newest features to life and squeezing surprises out of familiar devices.

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Susan Sontag - Reborn: Journals and Notebooks 1947-1963

La Roux - In For The Kill (Skrillex Remix)

Art FX - Chopping vocals like the pros!

TroyBoi - Medusa Dayz

Chuck Sutton - Transform Your Mic into ANY Instrument

Keep up with Chuck Sutton on Instagram and YouTube.

Tell us what you think of this episode: doingmusic@ableton.com

Doing Music is brought to you by Ableton. Follow us on TikTok and Instagram.

How hard is it to break the cultural coding around an instrument and realize its true potential? In this episode of Doing Music, Emily Hopkins talks to Craig Schuftan about her life-long relationship with the harp and her exploration of the instrument's experimental possibilities. Joined by her partner and sound engineer Russ, Emily details the various electro-acoustic methods she uses, the deep well of sound that comes from running her harps through pedals and her desire to inspire with her successful YouTube channel. As a classically-trained player now scoring high-profile soundtracks on her own terms, Emily's story is a relatable quest to maintain her own identity with an instrument everyone thinks they know.

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Edmar Castaneda

The Emotron - Life Without Horses

Wah Pedal on Harp is Ridiculous

Addi & Jacq

Zeena Parkins

Keep up with Emily Hopkins on YouTube, Instagram and via her website.

Tell us what you think of this episode: doingmusic@ableton.com

Doing Music is brought to you by Ableton. Follow us on TikTok and Instagram.