Icon Platform Nano Air Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

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

In this tutorial you will learn everything you need to know about using the Icon Platform Nano Air with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Platform Nano Air.

Article Contents

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

In short, yes, the Icon Platform Nano Air is compatible with Ableton Live.

The lack of a MIDI remote script in Ableton Live does not restrict users from midi mapping the Platform Nano Air to multiple functions inside the program.

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 Platform Nano Air will be usable 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 Platform Nano Air.

Does the Icon Platform Nano Air come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite is not provided with the Platform Nano Air, so it needs to be purchased 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.

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 Platform Nano Air to ableton

Linking and configuring the Icon Platform Nano Air 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 Platform Nano Air to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Platform Nano Air 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 Platform Nano Air from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Platform Nano Air 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 Platform Nano Air (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Platform Nano Air will now be setup and ready to use with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After successfully connecting the Icon Platform Nano Air to Ableton live following the steps above, you can now MIDI map the physical knobs, pads, keys etc on the device to functionality within 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 Platform Nano Air, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Platform Nano Air.
5. Moving the physical control on your Platform Nano Air 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 Platform Nano Air

Ableton's midi mapping system is a great solution for quickly mapping your Platform Nano Air, however, you must take into account some potential limitations...

Saving your Platform Nano Air Midi Mappings is cumbersome

It is important to note that your mappings are stored with the Ableton session when saving. Consequently, when you create a new session, you will have to remap your controls again.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

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

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

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