Worlde Ks49b Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

The Worlde Ks49b is a highly versatile midi controller and is a powerful instrument when used in combination with Ableton Live. This midi keyboard has a great selection of features that make it perfect for your Ableton Live setup.

In this tutorial you will learn everything you need to know about using the Worlde Ks49b with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Ks49b.

Article Contents

1. Does the Worlde Ks49b work with Ableton Live?
2. Does the Worlde Ks49b come with ableton Live included?
3. How to connect the Ks49b to ableton
4. How to midi map the Worlde Ks49b in Ableton Live
5. The Limitations of midi mapping the Ks49b
   1. Saving your Ks49b 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 Worlde Ks49b work with Ableton Live?

To sum it up, the Worlde Ks49b is fully compatible with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live does not come with a MIDI remote script, the Ks49b 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 Ks49b will be usable with Ableton Live.

You can create your own Ableton midi mappings with ease, giving you the power to control many of the features of Ableton Live with your Ks49b.

Does the Worlde Ks49b come with ableton Live included?

The Ks49b 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.

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 Ks49b to ableton

Connecting and setting up the Worlde Ks49b with Ableton Live is a relatively simple process, once you have the 2 linked together you will be able to control parameters of the software from your midi keyboard.

1. Connect the Ks49b to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Ks49b 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 Ks49b from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Ks49b 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 Ks49b (Sync can also be optionally checked).

Set up of the Ks49b with Ableton Live is now complete.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After linking up the Worlde Ks49b 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 Ks49b, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Ks49b.
5. Moving the physical control on your Ks49b 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 Ks49b

Ableton's midi mapping system is a great solution for quickly mapping your Ks49b, however, you must take into account some potential limitations...

Saving your Ks49b 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 indicates that each control on your Ks49b is capable of controlling only one parameter in Ableton Live.

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 Ks49b, 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 Ks49b's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Ks49b,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Ks49b, 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 Ks49b in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Ks49b is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Ks49b is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Ks49b.
4. Make sure that the Ks49b is selected as the input device in Ableton's MIDI Preferences.