Ecler Evo 4 Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

Ecler's Evo 4 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 teach you everything needed in order to use the Ecler Evo 4 with Ableton Live, including the processes of linking, setting up and midi mapping the Evo 4.

Article Contents

1. Does the Ecler Evo 4 work with Ableton Live?
2. Does the Ecler Evo 4 come with ableton Live included?
3. How to connect the Evo 4 to ableton
4. How to midi map the Ecler Evo 4 in Ableton Live
5. The Limitations of midi mapping the Evo 4
   1. Saving your Evo 4 Midi Mappings is cumbersome
   2. Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one
   3. Limited Ableton parameter options to map to
   4. A great solution to these problems
6. Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Ecler Evo 4 work with Ableton Live?

In a nutshell, the Ecler Evo 4 is able to work fully with Ableton Live.

Despite the lack of a default MIDI remote script existing within Ableton Live, it is still possible to midi map the Evo 4 to a variety of functions.

All editions of Ableton Live, from Intro to Suite, can be used with any device that sends out MIDI data. This is the case for all versions of Live, 9, 10, or 11. Seeing as the Evo 4 is a MIDI capable device, it is fully suited to function with Ableton Live.

Making your own midi mappings is a breeze with Ableton Live, which gives you the ability to control a lot of components of the software with your Evo 4.

Does the Ecler Evo 4 come with ableton Live included?

The Evo 4 does not have Ableton Live Lite, it must be purchased independently.

Ableton Live has 3 main versions, Intro, Standard and Suite. Whilst Intro and Standard are very capable pieces of software, the Suite version packs more in, such as over 70GB of library sounds compared to Standard’s 10GB.

For those seeking the full range of Audio and MIDI effects, we highly suggest purchasing Ableton Live Suite, as it offers significantly more than the Standard edition.

How to connect the Evo 4 to ableton

Connecting and setting up the Ecler Evo 4 with Ableton Live is a simple task, after they're connected you'll be able to adjust the software's parameters from your midi DJ controller.

1. Connect the Evo 4 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Evo 4 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 Evo 4 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Evo 4 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 Evo 4 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

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

Ableton’s midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly map your Evo 4, there are however, some limitations to be aware of...

Saving your Evo 4 Midi Mappings is cumbersome

Saving your mappings can be a problem as mappings are saved with an Ableton session, so if you start a new session you will need to re-map your controls again.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

Through a one-to-one MIDI mapping, each control on your Evo 4 can only be assigned to 1 parameter in Ableton Live.

Limited Ableton parameter options to map to

Unfortunately, Ableton's internal midi mapping mode does not provide every control option, so options such as controlling the selected track or selected device aren't possible. A full list of Ableton midi mapping options can be found here.

We have a great solution to these problems

If you're looking to get the most out of your Evo 4, 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 Evo 4's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Evo 4,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Evo 4, 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 Evo 4 in Ableton Live?

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