Nektar Se25 Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

The Nektar Se25 is a highly versatile midi controller and is a powerful instrument when used in combination with Ableton Live. This midi keyboard has a great selection of features that make it perfect for your Ableton Live setup.

This guide will provide you with all the knowledge necessary to utilize the Nektar Se25 with Ableton Live, which includes how to connect, configure and midi map the Se25.

Article Contents

1. Does the Nektar Se25 work with Ableton Live?
2. Does the Nektar Se25 come with ableton Live included?
3. How to connect the Se25 to ableton
4. How to midi map the Nektar Se25 in Ableton Live
5. The Limitations of midi mapping the Se25
   1. Saving your Se25 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 Nektar Se25 work with Ableton Live?

In a nutshell, the Nektar Se25 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 Se25 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 Se25 is a MIDI enabled device, it will work 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 Se25.

Does the Nektar Se25 come with ableton Live included?

The Se25 does not have Ableton Live Lite, it must be purchased independently.

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 Se25 to ableton

Linking the Nektar Se25 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 Se25 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Se25 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 Se25 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Se25 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 Se25 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Se25 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 Se25 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 Se25, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Se25.
5. Moving the physical control on your Se25 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 Se25

Ableton's midi mapping system is a great solution for quickly mapping your Se25, however, you must take into account some potential limitations...

Saving your Se25 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

With a one-to-one MIDI mapping, each control on your Se25 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 include every control options, options such as selected track control and selected device control unfortunately aren't possible. You can view a comprehensive list of all Ableton midi mapping options here.

We have a great solution to these problems

If you're looking to get the most out of your Se25, 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 Se25's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Se25,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Se25, 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 Se25 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Se25 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Se25 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Se25.
4. Make sure that the Se25 is selected as the input device in Ableton's MIDI Preferences.