Livid Base Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

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The Livid Base is a versatile midi controller and when used alongside Ableton Live, it's an incredible tool filled with potential. This midi controller is equipped with plenty of features that make it the perfect companion to Ableton Live.

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

Article Contents

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

In short, yes, the Livid Base is compatible with Ableton Live.

Despite the absence of a built-in MIDI remote script within Ableton Live, users can still use the Base to midi map to numerous functions in the software.

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 Base 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 Base.

Does the Livid Base come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite is not provided with the Base, so it needs to be purchased separately.

There are three main versions with Ableton Live: Intro, Standard and Suite. Though Intro and Standard are both comprehensive, Suite offers much more, such as 70GB of library 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 Base to ableton

Connecting and setting up the Livid Base with Ableton Live is a relatively simple process, once you have the 2 linked together you will be able to control parameters of the software from your midi controller.

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

The Base is all set and can now be used with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

Upon making a successful connection between the Livid Base and Ableton Live using the instructions above, you can now use MIDI mapping to allocate the physical knobs, pads, keys etc on the device to their respective functions in Ableton Live like this:

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

Ableton's midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly customize your Base, though it does have a few limitations to be mindful of...

Saving your Base 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

With a one-to-one MIDI mapping, each control on your Base can only be assigned to a single parameter in Ableton Live.

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

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