Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

The Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 is a versatile midi keyboard and when used alongside Ableton Live, it's an incredible tool filled with potential. This midi keyboard is equipped with plenty of features that make it the perfect companion to Ableton Live.

This tutorial will explain all you need to know on using the Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 with Ableton Live. This includes connecting, setting up and midi mapping the Komplete Kontrol S61.

Article Contents

Does the Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 work with Ableton Live?
Does the Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Komplete Kontrol S61 to ableton
How to midi map the Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Komplete Kontrol S61
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 work with Ableton Live?

In short, yes, the Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 is compatible with Ableton Live.

The Komplete Kontrol S61 is equipped with a standard midi remote script in Ableton Live, so you just need to connect it (see instructions below) to get it working.

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 Komplete Kontrol S61 is a MIDI capable device, it is fully suited to function with Ableton Live.

You can create your own Ableton midi mappings with ease, giving you the power to control many of the features of Ableton Live with your Komplete Kontrol S61.

Does the Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 come with ableton Live included?

The Komplete Kontrol S61 offers a complimentary copy of Ableton Live Lite, but its features are limited in comparison to Ableton Live Standard or Suite.

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 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 Komplete Kontrol S61 to ableton

Connecting the Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 with Ableton Live is pretty simple, and when the two are linked you'll be able to adjust the software's parameters from your midi keyboard.

1. Connect the Komplete Kontrol S61 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Komplete Kontrol S61 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 Komplete Kontrol S61 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Komplete Kontrol S61 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 Komplete Kontrol S61 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

Set up of the Komplete Kontrol S61 with Ableton Live is now complete.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After linking up the Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 to Ableton Live using the steps provided, you can now assign the physical buttons, pads, keys etc on the device to specific functions within Ableton Live via MIDI mapping as follows:

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 Komplete Kontrol S61, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Komplete Kontrol S61.
5. Moving the physical control on your Komplete Kontrol S61 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 Komplete Kontrol S61

Ableton's midi mapping system is a great solution for quickly mapping your Komplete Kontrol S61, however, you must take into account some potential limitations...

Saving your Komplete Kontrol S61 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 Komplete Kontrol S61 can only be assigned to control a single parameter in Ableton Live.

Limited Ableton parameter options to map to

Unfortunately, Ableton's internal midi mapping mode does not provide every control option, so options such as controlling the selected track or selected device aren't possible. A full list of Ableton midi mapping options can be found here.

We have a great solution to these problems

If you're looking to get the most out of your Komplete Kontrol S61, 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 Komplete Kontrol S61's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Komplete Kontrol S61,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Komplete Kontrol S61, 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 Komplete Kontrol S61 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Komplete Kontrol S61 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Komplete Kontrol S61 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Komplete Kontrol S61.
4. Make sure that the Komplete Kontrol S61 is selected as the input device in Ableton's MIDI Preferences.