Ableton Live Tutorials: External Hardware & MIDI CC workflows

In this Ableton Live tutorial, Liam O'Mullane shows you how to record, capture and edit MIDI data from a hardware instrument, and send MIDI data from Ableton Live to the instrument. You'll learn what MIDI CC is and how it can be used to control various parameters on your hardware, and how you can use a MIDI controller for a more hands-on approach. You'll also learn how Max For Live devices can be used to help you edit MIDI in the DAW,

0:00 Start
0:15 What is MIDI CC?
1:36 Setting up MIDI with an external instrument
3:21 Routing configurations
3:55 Sending MIDI data
5:18 Applying automation
6:09 MIDI implementation
9:23 Capturing MIDI from an instrument
13:03 Using a MIDI controller
15:20 Editing MIDI data with Max For Live devices
18:02 Recap

[merih]

Great video. Perfectly described how to record hardware in Ableton. For a newbie with Ableton I am very thankful to the creator

[sw_]

your videos are always my go-to when setting anything up

[rayderrich]

11:20 is the key moment in this video. I recorded a nice jam for #jamuary2023 and hoped for sweet CC movements but Live did not record any of them, only the notes. I missed the part where I have to tell the software to also record automation. What a bummer, but what a joy to find this in this video, so thank you, I will take better care next jam.

[Thinkingshop]

Thank you for sorting the MIDI HW interaction for me. I have been using Cakewalk for 30+ years and the MIDI HW interaction was easy after you created/obtained sound libraries for a module, etc.. Ableton made it a bit obtuse. For example putting the controller data in the macro area - mindblowing, but logical in the Ableton universe. 😎

[axelbouffier]

Many thanks for that, I've made a huge step forward again today and, above all, explained things well.🥇

[cutler]

Brilliant video mate. Clearand comprehensive

[ianmcdanielmusic]

you giving us all the game AND wearing a Salad Fingers shirt. love it!

[carstenbecker]

Very nice Video. Brilliant. Thank you very much for your work. 👍

[FOUXmusic]

Hi man, thanks for this great video! I have an issue I'd like to get insights on:

I have 2 identical MIDI MIX connected to my Mac. How can I send different info on both these similar MIDI MIXES?

I keep having the issue of moving one fader in Ableton (ex: CC23) and it automatically affects the other knob also triggered by CC23 on the other midi mixer.

Any solutions?

thanks!!

[SPIKE]

Very well explained - thank you, now I have to translate this into Cubase

[sodastudio]

Hey great video!
Is there a way to rename midi cc on the Ableton control surface?? I got a synth with no control surface preset :(
Thank you!!

[Tapepusher]

Is there a way to send MIDI CC from Ableton with a MIDI controller without starting playback? I'm doing it now by midi mapping clips in session view but it starts playback. I'm just controlling a hardware looper with MIDI CC but I don't want playback to start every time I do 🤔

[parabel_]

Just thank you for the max for live device, that was exactly what I was searching for, thank you <3

[underwatersunlight]

How do you send a particular MIDI-channel in Ableton Live 12 to an external audio effect hardware device ? Since it's not an instrument the effect device is not selectable in the MIDI-settings.

[cubdweller]

How do I connect my Rusty Spoons, friend?

[lwpweb]

easier turn the filter knob at the external hw and ableton will show you the altered parameter. So no look to cc table necessary

[fabianbuess]

Thanks for the video!, is also something in planing for NRPN messages?

[AlexRanedo]

Hey, a question, although it seems to be a limitation: Is it possible to record midi cc from hardware into the arrangement and not into clip envelopes? I am trying to record my session jams into arrangement to then edit (clip launching, sending live midi cc, etc). Of course it records clip launches etc but not the midi cc. Maybe it is actually an odd limitation (to me anyway, lol), or I'm missing something. Cheers for the content though, it's always super clear and helpful!

[Geepstar]

so I recorded turning the frequency knob with the novation peak. I can hear the difference, but Ableton doesn't show it. Where can I find it, this is driving me mad.

[kyleversemusic]

But like…where can I get that shirt? 🤣 Had me distracted the whole time. Thanks for the tips!