Vestax Spin Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

Vestax's Spin is a fantastically adaptable midi 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 teach you everything needed in order to use the Vestax Spin with Ableton Live, including the processes of linking, setting up and midi mapping the Spin.

Article Contents

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

In summary, the Vestax Spin is usable with Ableton Live.

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

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 Spin is a MIDI capable device, it is fully suited to function 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 Spin.

Does the Vestax Spin come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite is not included with the Spin, therefore it must be bought 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 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 Spin to ableton

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

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

The Spin is now ready for use with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

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

Ableton’s midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly map your Spin, there are however, some limitations to be aware of...

Saving your Spin 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

With a one-to-one MIDI mapping, each control on your Spin can only be assigned to 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 Spin, 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 Spin's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Spin,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Spin, 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 Spin in Ableton Live?

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