Faderfox Ec4 Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

Faderfox's Ec4 is an exceptionally flexible midi controller and is a powerful tool when is used with Ableton Live. This midi controller has a plethora of features, making it perfect for Ableton Live.

This tutorial will explain all you need to know on using the Faderfox Ec4 with Ableton Live. This includes connecting, setting up and midi mapping the Ec4.

Article Contents

1. Does the Faderfox Ec4 work with Ableton Live?
2. Does the Faderfox Ec4 come with ableton Live included?
3. How to connect the Ec4 to ableton
4. How to midi map the Faderfox Ec4 in Ableton Live
5. The Limitations of midi mapping the Ec4
   1. Saving your Ec4 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 Faderfox Ec4 work with Ableton Live?

In a nutshell, the Faderfox Ec4 is able to work fully with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live does not come with a MIDI remote script, the Ec4 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 Ec4 will be usable with Ableton Live.

You can create your own custom Ableton midi mappings easily, which allows you to control much of the functionality in Ableton Live with your Ec4.

Does the Faderfox Ec4 come with ableton Live included?

The Ec4 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 Ec4 to ableton

Linking and configuring the Faderfox Ec4 to Ableton Live is not too complicated, and once you have them paired together you can control the software's settings from your midi controller.

1. Connect the Ec4 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Ec4 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 Ec4 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Ec4 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 Ec4 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

Set up of the Ec4 with Ableton Live is now complete.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After linking up the Faderfox Ec4 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 Ec4, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Ec4.
5. Moving the physical control on your Ec4 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 Ec4

With Ableton's midi mapping system, you can swiftly map your Ec4, however, you must be aware of a few restrictions...

Saving your Ec4 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

Through a one-to-one MIDI mapping, each control on your Ec4 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 include every control options, options such as selected track control and selected device control unfortunately aren't possible. You can view a comprehensive list of all Ableton midi mapping options here.

We have a great solution to these problems

If you're looking to get the most out of your Ec4, 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 Ec4's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Ec4,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Ec4, 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 Ec4 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Ec4 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Ec4 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Ec4.
4. Make sure that the Ec4 is selected as the input device in Ableton's MIDI Preferences.