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

The Sub Zero Minipad is a versatile midi controller and when used alongside Ableton Live, it's an incredible tool filled with potential. This midi controller 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 Sub Zero Minipad with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Minipad.

Article Contents

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

In a nutshell, the Sub Zero Minipad is able to work fully with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live does not come with a MIDI remote script, the Minipad 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 Minipad will be usable 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 Minipad.

Does the Sub Zero Minipad come with ableton Live included?

The Minipad doesn’t come with a copy of Ableton Live Lite, so this would need to be purchased 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.

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 Minipad to ableton

Connecting and setting up the Sub Zero Minipad with Ableton Live is a simple task, after they're connected you'll be able to adjust the software's parameters from your midi controller.

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

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

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

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

With Ableton's midi mapping system, you can swiftly map your Minipad, however, you must be aware of a few restrictions...

Saving your Minipad Midi Mappings is cumbersome

Mappings are saved along with your Ableton session. Therefore, if a new session is created, you must re-map all of your controls.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

A one-to-one MIDI mapping means that each control on your Minipad can only be assigned to a single Ableton Live parameter.

Limited Ableton parameter options to map to

Unfortunately, Ableton's internal midi mapping mode does not include every control options, options such as selected track control and selected device control unfortunately aren't possible. You can view a comprehensive list of all Ableton midi mapping options here.

We have a great solution to these problems

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

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