Sub Zero Commandkey49 Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

Sub Zero's Commandkey49 is an incredibly multi-faceted midi controller and is a powerful addition to any Ableton Live setup. This midi keyboard has a wealth of features that make it ideal for use with Ableton Live.

In this tutorial you will learn everything you need to know about using the Sub Zero Commandkey49 with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Commandkey49.

Article Contents

Does the Sub Zero Commandkey49 work with Ableton Live?
Does the Sub Zero Commandkey49 come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Commandkey49 to ableton
How to midi map the Sub Zero Commandkey49 in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Commandkey49
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Sub Zero Commandkey49 work with Ableton Live?

In summary, the Sub Zero Commandkey49 is usable with Ableton Live.

Despite the absence of a built-in MIDI remote script within Ableton Live, users can still use the Commandkey49 to midi map to numerous functions in the software.

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 Commandkey49 will be usable 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 Commandkey49.

Does the Sub Zero Commandkey49 come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite is not provided with the Commandkey49, so it needs to be purchased separately.

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.

For those seeking the full range of Audio and MIDI effects, we highly suggest purchasing Ableton Live Suite, as it offers significantly more than the Standard edition.

How to connect the Commandkey49 to ableton

Linking and configuring the Sub Zero Commandkey49 to Ableton Live is not too complicated, and once you have them paired together you can control the software's settings from your midi keyboard.

1. Connect the Commandkey49 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Commandkey49 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 Commandkey49 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Commandkey49 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 Commandkey49 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Commandkey49 is all set and can now be used with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

Upon making a successful connection between the Sub Zero Commandkey49 and Ableton Live using the instructions above, you can now use MIDI mapping to allocate the physical knobs, pads, keys etc on the device to their respective functions in Ableton Live like this:

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 Commandkey49, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Commandkey49.
5. Moving the physical control on your Commandkey49 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 Commandkey49

Ableton's midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly customize your Commandkey49, though it does have a few limitations to be mindful of...

Saving your Commandkey49 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 control on your Commandkey49 can only be assigned to a single Ableton Live parameter.

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 Commandkey49, 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 Commandkey49's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Commandkey49,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Commandkey49, 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 Commandkey49 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Commandkey49 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Commandkey49 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Commandkey49.
4. Make sure that the Commandkey49 is selected as the input device in Ableton's MIDI Preferences.