American Audio Vms4 Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map
![remotify logo](https://remotify.io/sites/default/files/default_images/logo blue transparent.png)
American Audio's Vms4 is a fantastically adaptable midi DJ controller that is extremely useful when coupled with Ableton Live. This device has a great range of features, making it ideal as an Ableton Live controller.
This tutorial will show you the whole process of how to operate the American Audio Vms4 with Ableton Live. It will cover the steps of connecting, setting up and midi mapping the Vms4.
Article Contents
- Does the American Audio Vms4 work with Ableton Live?
- Does the American Audio Vms4 come with ableton Live included?
- How to connect the Vms4 to ableton
- How to midi map the American Audio Vms4 in Ableton Live
- The Limitations of midi mapping the Vms4
- Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?
Does the American Audio Vms4 work with Ableton Live?
To put it briefly, the American Audio Vms4 is compatible with Ableton Live.
Despite the lack of a default MIDI remote script existing within Ableton Live, it is still possible to midi map the Vms4 to a variety of functions.
All forms of Ableton Live, Intro, Lite, Standard and Suite, can work with practically any instrument that sends out MIDI data, and it will be compatible with all versions of Live such as 9, 10 and 11. Due to this, the Vms4 will be usable with Ableton Live.
Creating your own midi mappings in Ableton is simple, and gives you the ability to control a variety of Ableton Live's components with your Vms4.
Does the American Audio Vms4 come with ableton Live included?
The Vms4 does not have Ableton Live Lite, it must be purchased independently.
There are three main versions of Ableton Live: Intro, Standard and Suite. Whilst Intro and Standard are highly functional, Suite includes an additional 70GB library of sounds, in comparison to Standard's 10GB.
If you prefer to have all the Audio and MIDI effects, we recommend getting Ableton Live Suite, because it comes with much more of them than the Standard edition.
How to connect the Vms4 to ableton
Connecting and setting up the American Audio Vms4 with Ableton Live is a relatively simple process, once you have the 2 linked together you will be able to control parameters of the software from your midi DJ controller.
1. Connect the Vms4 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Vms4 and your computer.
2. Launch Ableton Live and open the MIDI preferences.
Double click the Ableton Live icon to launch the software. Then, in the top menu of Ableton, go to the Preferences menu by opening the ‘Live’ menu and clicking ‘Preferences’.
3. Select the Vms4 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Vms4 are checked.
4. Ensure that the ‘Track’, ‘Remote’ and ‘Sync’ boxes are all checked.
In the ‘MIDI’ section of this tab, make sure the ‘Track’ and ‘Remote’ boxes are checked for both the Input and Output of the Vms4 (Sync can also be optionally checked).
The Vms4 has been configured and is now ready for use with Ableton Live.
How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live
Once you have connected the American Audio Vms4 to Ableton Live by following the steps above, you can now MIDI map the physical buttons, pads, keys etc on the device to the corresponding functions in Ableton Live by doing the following:
1. Select the MIDI Map Mode button in the top right corner of the Live window. The button should turn orange, indicating that the MIDI Map Mode is enabled.
2. Select the parameter you wish to control in Ableton by clicking it with the cursor, the parameter will become highlighted.
3. Move a control on the Vms4, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Vms4.
5. Moving the physical control on your Vms4 will now move the position of the corresponding parameter in Ableton.
6. Repeat steps 2 - 4 for any other parameters you wish to map.
7. When you’re finished mapping, press the MIDI Map Mode button again to disable it.
The Limitations of midi mapping the Vms4
For the fastest way to map your Vms4, you can't go wrong with Ableton's midi mapping system, but make sure you take into account these limitations...
Saving your Vms4 Midi Mappings is cumbersome
When saving an Ableton session, your mappings will be saved as part of that session. Therefore, if you create a new session, you will need to remap your controls.
Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one
A one-to-one MIDI mapping indicates that each control on your Vms4 is capable of controlling only one parameter in Ableton Live.
Limited Ableton parameter options to map to
Ableton’s internal midi mapping mode is unfortunately missing many control options. Options such as selected track and selected device control aren’t possible using this method. You can see a list of all available Ableton midi mapping options here.
We have a great solution to these problems
If you're looking to get the most out of your Vms4, our Ableton Midi Script Creator tool 'Control Surface Studio' is exactly what you need!
With it, you'll be able to:
- save and re-use your Vms4's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Vms4,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Vms4, than Live's internal midi mapping mode allows.
Learn more about Control Surface Studio and see how it can help you by clicking here!
FAQ / Troubleshooting
Why can't I hear my Vms4 in Ableton Live?
There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Vms4 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Vms4 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Vms4.
4. Make sure that the Vms4 is selected as the input device in Ableton's MIDI Preferences.