Roli Block Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

Roli's Block is a fantastically adaptable midi controller 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 tutorial will explain all you need to know on using the Roli Block with Ableton Live. This includes connecting, setting up and midi mapping the Block.

Article Contents

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

To sum it up, the Roli Block is fully compatible with Ableton Live.

The Block is equipped with a standard midi remote script in Ableton Live, so you just need to connect it (see instructions below) to get it working.

All versions of Ableton Live, Intro, Lite, standard and suite can be used in conjunction with pretty much any device which sends MIDI data, and it will work with all versions of Live such as 9, 10 and 11. As the Block is a MIDI enabled device it will be fully compatible with Ableton.

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 Block.

Does the Roli Block come with ableton Live included?

The Block offers a complimentary copy of Ableton Live Lite, but its features are limited in comparison to Ableton Live Standard or Suite.

There are three main versions of Ableton Live: Intro, Standard and Suite. Even though Intro and Standard are both effective, Suite offers a lot more, including 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 Block to ableton

Connecting the Roli Block 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 controller.

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

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

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

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

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

Saving your Block Midi Mappings is cumbersome

It is important to note that your mappings are stored with the Ableton session when saving. Consequently, when you create a new session, you will have to remap your controls again.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

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

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