Nektar Panorama T4 Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

Nektar's Panorama T4 is a fantastically adaptable midi keyboard that is extremely useful when coupled with Ableton Live. This device has a great range of features, making it ideal as an Ableton Live controller.

In this tutorial you will learn everything you need to know about using the Nektar Panorama T4 with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Panorama T4.

Article Contents

Does the Nektar Panorama T4 work with Ableton Live?
Does the Nektar Panorama T4 come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Panorama T4 to ableton
How to midi map the Nektar Panorama T4 in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Panorama T4
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Nektar Panorama T4 work with Ableton Live?

In short, yes, the Nektar Panorama T4 is compatible with Ableton Live.

Despite the lack of a default MIDI remote script existing within Ableton Live, it is still possible to midi map the Panorama T4 to a variety of functions.

All versions of Ableton Live, from Intro to Suite, are able to be utilized in collaboration with any equipment that sends MIDI data. This is applicable to all releases of Live, such as 9, 10, and 11. As the Panorama T4 is a MIDI enabled tool, it will be completely compatible 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 Panorama T4.

Does the Nektar Panorama T4 come with ableton Live included?

The Panorama T4 does not have Ableton Live Lite, it must be purchased independently.

Ableton Live has 3 main versions, Intro, Standard and Suite. Whilst Intro and Standard are very capable pieces of software, the Suite version packs more in, such as over 70GB of library sounds compared to Standard’s 10GB.

If you're looking to make sure you have the full range of Audio and MIDI effects, we suggest you go with Ableton Live Suite, as it has far more than the Standard edition.

How to connect the Panorama T4 to ableton

Linking the Nektar Panorama T4 to Ableton Live is a simple process, and when you have them connected you can control the software's parameters from your midi keyboard.

1. Connect the Panorama T4 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Panorama T4 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 Panorama T4 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Panorama T4 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 Panorama T4 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Panorama T4 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 Nektar Panorama T4 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 Panorama T4, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Panorama T4.
5. Moving the physical control on your Panorama T4 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 Panorama T4

Ableton's midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly customize your Panorama T4, though it does have a few limitations to be mindful of...

Saving your Panorama T4 Midi Mappings is cumbersome

Mappings are saved along with your Ableton session. Therefore, if a new session is created, you must re-map all of your controls.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

With a one-to-one MIDI mapping, each control on your Panorama T4 can only be assigned to 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 Panorama T4, 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 Panorama T4's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Panorama T4,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Panorama T4, 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 Panorama T4 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Panorama T4 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Panorama T4 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Panorama T4.
4. Make sure that the Panorama T4 is selected as the input device in Ableton's MIDI Preferences.