Roland Aira System 1 Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

Roland's Aira System 1 is a fantastically adaptable midi enabled synthesizer 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.

This guide will provide you with all the knowledge necessary to utilize the Roland Aira System 1 with Ableton Live, which includes how to connect, configure and midi map the Aira System 1.

Article Contents

Does the Roland Aira System 1 work with Ableton Live?
Does the Roland Aira System 1 come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Aira System 1 to ableton
How to midi map the Roland Aira System 1 in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Aira System 1
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Roland Aira System 1 work with Ableton Live?

To put it briefly, the Roland Aira System 1 is compatible with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live does not come with a MIDI remote script, the Aira System 1 can still be mapped to many of the software's functions.

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 Aira System 1 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 Aira System 1.

Does the Roland Aira System 1 come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite is not included with the Aira System 1, therefore it 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.

For those who want to guarantee they have access to the largest selection of Audio and MIDI effects, we suggest investing in Ableton Live Suite, as it has a much larger selection than the Standard edition.

How to connect the Aira System 1 to ableton

Connecting and setting up the Roland Aira System 1 with Ableton Live is a relatively simple process, once you have the 2 linked together you will be able to control parameters of the software from your midi enabled synthesizer.

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

Set up of the Aira System 1 with Ableton Live is now complete.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After linking up the Roland Aira System 1 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 Aira System 1, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Aira System 1.
5. Moving the physical control on your Aira System 1 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 Aira System 1

For the fastest way to map your Aira System 1, you can't go wrong with Ableton's midi mapping system, but make sure you take into account these limitations...

Saving your Aira System 1 Midi Mappings is cumbersome

When saving an Ableton session, your mappings will be saved as part of that session. Therefore, if you create a new session, you will need to remap your controls.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

A one-to-one MIDI mapping means that each button or knob on your Aira System 1 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 Aira System 1, 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 Aira System 1's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Aira System 1,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Aira System 1, 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 Aira System 1 in Ableton Live?

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