Intech Bu16 Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

The Intech Bu16 is a highly versatile midi controller and is a powerful instrument when used in combination with Ableton Live. This midi controller has a great selection of features that make it perfect for your Ableton Live setup.

This tutorial will teach you everything needed in order to use the Intech Bu16 with Ableton Live, including the processes of linking, setting up and midi mapping the Bu16.

Article Contents

1. Does the Intech Bu16 work with Ableton Live?
2. Does the Intech Bu16 come with ableton Live included?
3. How to connect the Bu16 to ableton
4. How to midi map the Intech Bu16 in Ableton Live
5. The Limitations of midi mapping the Bu16
   1. Saving your Bu16 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 Intech Bu16 work with Ableton Live?

To sum it up, the Intech Bu16 is fully compatible with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live doesn’t provide a default MIDI remote script within its software for it, the Bu16 can still be midi mapped to many functions within the software.

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 Bu16 is a MIDI capable device, it is fully suited to function with Ableton Live.

You can easily create midi mappings for Ableton, allowing you to access many functions of Ableton Live with your Bu16.

Does the Intech Bu16 come with ableton Live included?

The Bu16 does not have Ableton Live Lite, it must be purchased independently.

There are three main versions of Ableton Live: Intro, Standard and Suite. Even though Intro and Standard are both effective, Suite offers a lot more, including 70GB of library sounds, compared 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 Bu16 to ableton

Connecting and setting up the Intech Bu16 with Ableton Live is a simple task, after they're connected you'll be able to adjust the software's parameters from your midi controller.

1. Connect the Bu16 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Bu16 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 Bu16 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Bu16 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 Bu16 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Bu16 is now ready for use with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After you have connected the Intech Bu16 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 Bu16, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Bu16.
5. Moving the physical control on your Bu16 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 Bu16

Ableton’s midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly map your Bu16, there are however, some limitations to be aware of...

Saving your Bu16 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

A one-to-one MIDI mapping means that each button or knob on your Bu16 can only be assigned to control a single parameter in Ableton Live.

Limited Ableton parameter options to map to

Ableton’s internal midi mapping mode is unfortunately missing many control options. Options such as selected track and selected device control aren’t possible using this method. You can see a list of all available Ableton midi mapping options here.

We have a great solution to these problems

If you're looking to get the most out of your Bu16, 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 Bu16's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Bu16,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Bu16, 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 Bu16 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Bu16 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Bu16 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Bu16.
4. Make sure that the Bu16 is selected as the input device in Ableton's MIDI Preferences.