Using your MIDI Controller with Ableton Live

Using a MIDI Controller with Ableton Live allows you so much flexibility when you’re performing on stage. Plus, you don’t look like you’re checking your email on stage!

In this week’s tutorial Ableton Live Certified Trainer Will Doggett shows you how to set up and configure your MIDI Controller to use with Ableton Live.

You’ll learn how to use the built-in Control Surface mappings (and when not to use them). You’ll learn what Track, Sync and Remote mean for MIDI inputs and outputs. How to adjust how Ableton responds to you moving the fader on your MIDI controller. And you’ll learn how to control multiple things in Live with one button or fader on your controller (it’s WAY easier than you think).

Most Ableton Live training is focused on producers and electronic music performance. From Studio to Stage provides a community learning experience that shows you how to use Ableton Live on stage, so that you can confidently perform and spend less time preparing.

If you want to learn how to use Ableton Live on stage, start a 7-day Subscribe:

[JznChou]

Honestly this is THE BEST breakdown of mapping out MIDI controls I've seen. Very thorough explanations. Subbed for sure!

[kevinmelton]

Will Doggett is the MASTER! So easy to understand! Great teacher/trainer.

[aishaa]

i'm getting my first midi keyboard ever in 2 days!! even though i've been producing for 6 years 💀 i guess i've saved up enough and i'm old enough to know i will be making music in my own time for a long time. this video is helping me a lot with what i should do. thanks! 💙

[coyoteserranoband]

Are you able to map an up and down in midi? For track sectioning?

[tiagocost]

Thanks for this video. Very easy to understand

[grinchtv]

what if your midi controller isnt in the preferences?

[ramonrios]

Hi, can you do some tutorial about how run tracks using session view? I would like to play with ableton and run tracks in the same computer, but i don't know how to have the same flexibility of arrangement view for tracks as in session view.

[taboonola]

Is there a way I can send a midi message to ableton to arm a scene from an external midi device? I’m trying to use a BandHelper app to send a midi messge to arm a particular scene in my project?

[Dougie-]

Is it possible to have the mapping so that it only sends to the currently selected track?

[jamiebeattie]

How do i assign up and down buttons on my nano kontrol 2? I want to be able to move up and down on the set list and then be able to press play.

[carstenschreiberprivat]

How can I map my NI F1 as a step sequenzer to Ableton live?

[CSOps]

Very nice video! I have a problem though... I use a novation circuit and a akai mpk mini. When midi map the pad 5 to one of the buttons however there is a button that I use when I play on the circuit that does what the pad 5 does. what should i do?

[blainerush]

This would have been more helpful if you used a non USB controller everybody does not have a brand new controller that has usb