Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S3 Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

Native Instruments's Traktor Kontrol S3 is an exceptionally flexible midi dj controller and is a powerful tool when is used with Ableton Live. This midi dj controller has a plethora of features, making it perfect for Ableton Live.

This guide will provide you with all the knowledge necessary to utilize the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S3 with Ableton Live, which includes how to connect, configure and midi map the Traktor Kontrol S3.

Article Contents

Does the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S3 work with Ableton Live?
Does the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S3 come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Traktor Kontrol S3 to ableton
How to midi map the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S3 in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Traktor Kontrol S3
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S3 work with Ableton Live?

To sum it up, the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S3 is fully compatible with Ableton Live.

Despite the absence of a built-in MIDI remote script within Ableton Live, users can still use the Traktor Kontrol S3 to midi map to numerous functions in 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 Traktor Kontrol S3 is a MIDI capable device, it is fully suited to function 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 Traktor Kontrol S3.

Does the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S3 come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite isn't included with the Traktor Kontrol S3, so this must be bought separately.

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 Traktor Kontrol S3 to ableton

Linking the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S3 to Ableton Live is a simple process, and when you have them connected you can control the software's parameters from your midi dj controller.

1. Connect the Traktor Kontrol S3 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Traktor Kontrol S3 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 Traktor Kontrol S3 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Traktor Kontrol S3 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 Traktor Kontrol S3 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Traktor Kontrol S3 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 Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S3 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 Traktor Kontrol S3, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Traktor Kontrol S3.
5. Moving the physical control on your Traktor Kontrol S3 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 Traktor Kontrol S3

With Ableton's midi mapping system, you can swiftly map your Traktor Kontrol S3, however, you must be aware of a few restrictions...

Saving your Traktor Kontrol S3 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 Traktor Kontrol S3 can only be assigned to control 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 Traktor Kontrol S3, 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 Traktor Kontrol S3's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Traktor Kontrol S3,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Traktor Kontrol S3, 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 Traktor Kontrol S3 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Traktor Kontrol S3 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Traktor Kontrol S3 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Traktor Kontrol S3.
4. Make sure that the Traktor Kontrol S3 is selected as the input device in Ableton's MIDI Preferences.