Livid Ds1 Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

The Livid Ds1 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.

In this tutorial you will learn everything you need to know about using the Livid Ds1 with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Ds1.

Article Contents

1. Does the Livid Ds1 work with Ableton Live?
2. Does the Livid Ds1 come with ableton Live included?
3. How to connect the Ds1 to ableton
4. How to midi map the Livid Ds1 in Ableton Live
5. The Limitations of midi mapping the Ds1
   1. Saving your Ds1 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 Ds1 work with Ableton Live?

In a nutshell, the Livid Ds1 is able to work fully with Ableton Live.

Despite the lack of a default MIDI remote script existing within Ableton Live, it is still possible to midi map the Ds1 to a variety of functions.

Any edition of Ableton Live, from Intro to Suite, will be compatible with any device that transmits MIDI data. This works for all editions of Live, for instance 9, 10, and 11. As the Ds1 is a MIDI enabled device, it will work 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 Ds1.

Does the Livid Ds1 come with ableton Live included?

The Ds1 does not have Ableton Live Lite, it must be purchased independently.

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 prefer to have all the Audio and MIDI effects, we recommend getting Ableton Live Suite, because it comes with much more of them than the Standard edition.

How to connect the Ds1 to ableton

Linking and configuring the Livid Ds1 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 Ds1 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Ds1 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 Ds1 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Ds1 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 Ds1 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Ds1 has been configured and is now ready for use with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

Once you have connected the Livid Ds1 to Ableton Live by following the steps above, you can now MIDI map the physical buttons, pads, keys etc on the device to the corresponding functions in 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 Ds1, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Ds1.
5. Moving the physical control on your Ds1 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 Ds1

Ableton's midi mapping system is a great solution for quickly mapping your Ds1, however, you must take into account some potential limitations...

Saving your Ds1 Midi Mappings is cumbersome

Be aware that when saving your mappings, they will be stored with the Ableton session. Therefore, starting a new session will require you to re-map your controls.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

A one-to-one MIDI mapping means that each button or knob on your Ds1 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 Ds1, 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 Ds1's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Ds1,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Ds1, 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 Ds1 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Ds1 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Ds1 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Ds1.
4. Make sure that the Ds1 is selected as the input device in Ableton's MIDI Preferences.