Eks Otus Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

Eks's Otus is an incredibly multi-faceted midi controller and is a powerful addition to any Ableton Live setup. This midi DJ controller has a wealth of features that make it ideal for use with Ableton Live.

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

Article Contents

1. Does the Eks Otus work with Ableton Live?
2. Does the Eks Otus come with ableton Live included?
3. How to connect the Otus to ableton
4. How to midi map the Eks Otus in Ableton Live
5. The Limitations of midi mapping the Otus
   1. Saving your Otus 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 Eks Otus work with Ableton Live?

In summary, the Eks Otus is usable with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live does not come with a MIDI remote script, the Otus can still be mapped to many of the software's 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 Otus will be usable with Ableton Live.

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

Does the Eks Otus come with ableton Live included?

The Otus doesn’t come with a copy of Ableton Live Lite, so this would need to be purchased separately.

There are three main versions of Ableton Live: Intro, Standard and Suite. Although Intro and Standard are both powerful, Suite offers extra features, such as 70GB of library sounds, in contrast 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 Otus to ableton

Linking the Eks Otus to Ableton Live is a simple process, and when you have them connected you can control the software's parameters from your midi DJ controller.

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

Set up of the Otus with Ableton Live is now complete.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After linking up the Eks Otus to Ableton Live using the steps provided, you can now assign the physical buttons, pads, keys etc on the device to specific functions within Ableton Live via MIDI mapping as follows:

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

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

Saving your Otus Midi Mappings is cumbersome

Be aware that when saving your mappings, they will be stored with the Ableton session. Therefore, starting a new session will require you to re-map your controls.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

A one-to-one MIDI mapping means that each control on your Otus can only be assigned to a single Ableton Live parameter.

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 Otus, 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 Otus's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Otus,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Otus, 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 Otus in Ableton Live?

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