Dark-controller Dark Fader Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

The Dark-controller Dark Fader is a highly versatile midi controller and is a powerful instrument when used in combination with Ableton Live. This midi DJ controller has a great selection of features that make it perfect for your Ableton Live setup.

This guide will provide you with all the knowledge necessary to utilize the Dark-controller Dark Fader with Ableton Live, which includes how to connect, configure and midi map the Dark Fader.

Article Contents

Does the Dark-controller Dark Fader work with Ableton Live?
Does the Dark-controller Dark Fader come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Dark Fader to ableton
How to midi map the Dark-controller Dark Fader in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Dark Fader
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Dark-controller Dark Fader work with Ableton Live?

To put it briefly, the Dark-controller Dark Fader is compatible with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live doesn’t provide a default MIDI remote script within its software for it, the Dark Fader can still be midi mapped to many functions within the software.

All versions of Ableton Live, from Intro to Suite, are able to be utilized in collaboration with any equipment that sends MIDI data. This is applicable to all releases of Live, such as 9, 10, and 11. As the Dark Fader is a MIDI enabled tool, it will be completely compatible with Ableton Live.

You can easily create midi mappings for Ableton, allowing you to access many functions of Ableton Live with your Dark Fader.

Does the Dark-controller Dark Fader come with ableton Live included?

The Dark Fader does not have Ableton Live Lite, it must be purchased independently.

There are three main versions of Ableton Live: Intro, Standard and Suite. Even though Intro and Standard are both effective, Suite offers a lot more, including 70GB of library sounds, compared to Standard's 10GB.

If you're looking to make sure you have the full range of Audio and MIDI effects, we suggest you go with Ableton Live Suite, as it has far more than the Standard edition.

How to connect the Dark Fader to ableton

Connecting the Dark-controller Dark Fader with Ableton Live is pretty simple, and when the two are linked you'll be able to adjust the software's parameters from your midi DJ controller.

1. Connect the Dark Fader to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Dark Fader 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 Dark Fader from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Dark Fader 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 Dark Fader (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Dark Fader is now ready for use with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After you have connected the Dark-controller Dark Fader to Ableton Live with the aforementioned steps, you can now use MIDI mapping to link up the physical knobs, pads, keys etc on the device to their corresponding features in Ableton Live:

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 Dark Fader, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Dark Fader.
5. Moving the physical control on your Dark Fader 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 Dark Fader

Ableton's midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly customize your Dark Fader, though it does have a few limitations to be mindful of...

Saving your Dark Fader 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

With a one-to-one MIDI mapping, each control on your Dark Fader can only be assigned to a single parameter in Ableton Live.

Limited Ableton parameter options to map to

When using Ableton's internal midi mapping mode, unfortunately now all options are available, controls such as selected track and selected device control aren't currently possible. View a full list of Ableton midi mapping options here.

We have a great solution to these problems

If you're looking to get the most out of your Dark Fader, 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 Dark Fader's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Dark Fader,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Dark Fader, 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 Dark Fader in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Dark Fader is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Dark Fader is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Dark Fader.
4. Make sure that the Dark Fader is selected as the input device in Ableton's MIDI Preferences.