Vestax Typhoon Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

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

Article Contents

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

Does the Vestax Typhoon work with Ableton Live?

To sum it up, the Vestax Typhoon is fully compatible with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live does not come with a MIDI remote script, the Typhoon can still be mapped to many of the software's functions.

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 Typhoon is a MIDI enabled tool, it will be completely compatible 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 Typhoon.

Does the Vestax Typhoon come with ableton Live included?

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

There are three main versions with Ableton Live: Intro, Standard and Suite. Though Intro and Standard are both comprehensive, Suite offers much more, such as 70GB of library sounds, in comparison to Standard's 10GB.

If you're looking to make sure you have the full range of Audio and MIDI effects, we suggest you go with Ableton Live Suite, as it has far more than the Standard edition.

How to connect the Typhoon to ableton

Linking the Vestax Typhoon to Ableton Live is a simple process, and when you have them connected you can control the software's parameters from your midi DJ controller.

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

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

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

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

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

Saving your Typhoon Midi Mappings is cumbersome

Saving your mappings can be a problem as mappings are saved with an Ableton session, so if you start a new session you will need to re-map your controls again.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

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

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