Novation Circuit Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

The Novation Circuit is a versatile midi enabled groovebox and when used alongside Ableton Live, it's an incredible tool filled with potential. This midi enabled groovebox is equipped with plenty of features that make it the perfect companion to Ableton Live.

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

Article Contents

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

To put it briefly, the Novation Circuit is compatible with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live does not come with a MIDI remote script, the Circuit can still be mapped to many of the software's functions.

All forms of Ableton Live, Intro, Lite, Standard and Suite, can work with practically any instrument that sends out MIDI data, and it will be compatible with all versions of Live such as 9, 10 and 11. Due to this, the Circuit will be usable 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 Circuit.

Does the Novation Circuit come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite is not included with the Circuit, therefore it must be bought separately.

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 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 Circuit to ableton

Connecting the Novation Circuit 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 enabled groovebox.

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

Set up of the Circuit with Ableton Live is now complete.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

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

For the fastest way to map your Circuit, you can't go wrong with Ableton's midi mapping system, but make sure you take into account these limitations...

Saving your Circuit Midi Mappings is cumbersome

Saving your mappings can be a problem as mappings are saved with an Ableton session, so if you start a new session you will need to re-map your controls again.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

A one-to-one MIDI mapping indicates that each control on your Circuit is capable of controlling only one 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 Circuit, 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 Circuit's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Circuit,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Circuit, 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 Circuit in Ableton Live?

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