Stanton Scs 1d Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

Stanton's Scs 1d is a fantastically adaptable midi DJ 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 guide will provide you with all the knowledge necessary to utilize the Stanton Scs 1d with Ableton Live, which includes how to connect, configure and midi map the Scs 1d.

Article Contents

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

Does the Stanton Scs 1d work with Ableton Live?

In summary, the Stanton Scs 1d is usable with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live doesn’t provide a default MIDI remote script within its software for it, the Scs 1d can still be midi mapped to many functions within the software.

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 Scs 1d is a MIDI enabled tool, it will be completely compatible with Ableton Live.

You can create your own custom Ableton midi mappings easily, which allows you to control much of the functionality in Ableton Live with your Scs 1d.

Does the Stanton Scs 1d come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite is not included with the Scs 1d, therefore it must be bought separately.

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.

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 Scs 1d to ableton

Connecting the Stanton Scs 1d 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 DJ controller.

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

The Scs 1d is now ready for use with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After you have connected the Stanton Scs 1d to Ableton Live with the aforementioned steps, you can now use MIDI mapping to link up the physical knobs, pads, keys etc on the device to their corresponding features in Ableton Live:

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 Scs 1d, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Scs 1d.
5. Moving the physical control on your Scs 1d 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 Scs 1d

Ableton's midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly customize your Scs 1d, though it does have a few limitations to be mindful of...

Saving your Scs 1d 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 means that each button or knob on your Scs 1d can only be assigned to control a single parameter in Ableton Live.

Limited Ableton parameter options to map to

Ableton’s internal midi mapping mode is unfortunately missing many control options. Options such as selected track and selected device control aren’t possible using this method. You can see a list of all available Ableton midi mapping options here.

We have a great solution to these problems

If you're looking to get the most out of your Scs 1d, 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 Scs 1d's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Scs 1d,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Scs 1d, 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 Scs 1d in Ableton Live?

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