Gemini Slate4 Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map
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The Slate4 from Gemini is an incredibly versatile midi and is a powerful tool when used in combination with Ableton Live. The Akai MPK Mini has a wealth of features that make it perfect for use with Ableton Live.
This tutorial will show you the whole process of how to operate the Gemini Slate4 with Ableton Live. It will cover the steps of connecting, setting up and midi mapping the Slate4.
Article Contents
- Does the Gemini Slate4 work with Ableton Live?
- Does the Gemini Slate4 come with ableton Live included?
- How to connect the Slate4 to ableton
- How to midi map the Gemini Slate4 in Ableton Live
- The Limitations of midi mapping the Slate4
- Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?
Does the Gemini Slate4 work with Ableton Live?
In a nutshell, the Gemini Slate4 is able to work fully with Ableton Live.
Although Ableton Live doesn’t provide a default MIDI remote script within its software for it, the Slate4 can still be midi mapped to many functions within the software.
All versions of Ableton Live, Intro, Lite, standard and suite can be used in conjunction with pretty much any device which sends MIDI data, and it will work with all versions of Live such as 9, 10 and 11. As the Slate4 is a MIDI enabled device it will be fully compatible with Ableton.
You can easily create midi mappings for Ableton, allowing you to access many functions of Ableton Live with your Slate4.
Does the Gemini Slate4 come with ableton Live included?
Ableton Live Lite is not included with the Slate4, therefore it must be bought separately.
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.
Ableton Live Suite includes many more Audio and MIDI effects compared to Standard, so if you want to ensure you have everything, we recommend going with Ableton Live Suite.
How to connect the Slate4 to ableton
Linking the Gemini Slate4 to Ableton Live is a simple process, and when you have them connected you can control the software's parameters from your midi .
1. Connect the Slate4 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Slate4 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 Slate4 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Slate4 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 Slate4 (Sync can also be optionally checked).
The Slate4 is now ready for use with Ableton Live.
How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live
After you have connected the Gemini Slate4 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 Slate4, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Slate4.
5. Moving the physical control on your Slate4 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 Slate4
For the fastest way to map your Slate4, you can't go wrong with Ableton's midi mapping system, but make sure you take into account these limitations...
Saving your Slate4 Midi Mappings is cumbersome
Mappings are saved along with your Ableton session. Therefore, if a new session is created, you must re-map all of your controls.
Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one
A one-to-one MIDI mapping indicates that each control on your Slate4 is capable of controlling only one 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 Slate4, 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 Slate4's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Slate4,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Slate4, 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 Slate4 in Ableton Live?
There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Slate4 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Slate4 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Slate4.
4. Make sure that the Slate4 is selected as the input device in Ableton's MIDI Preferences.