Worlde Panda Mini 2 Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

The Worlde Panda Mini 2 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.

This tutorial will explain all you need to know on using the Worlde Panda Mini 2 with Ableton Live. This includes connecting, setting up and midi mapping the Panda Mini 2.

Article Contents

Does the Worlde Panda Mini 2 work with Ableton Live?
Does the Worlde Panda Mini 2 come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Panda Mini 2 to ableton
How to midi map the Worlde Panda Mini 2 in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Panda Mini 2
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Worlde Panda Mini 2 work with Ableton Live?

In summary, the Worlde Panda Mini 2 is usable with Ableton Live.

Despite the absence of a built-in MIDI remote script within Ableton Live, users can still use the Panda Mini 2 to midi map to numerous functions in 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 Panda Mini 2 is a MIDI capable device, it is fully suited to function with Ableton Live.

Creating your own midi mappings in Ableton is simple, and gives you the ability to control a variety of Ableton Live's components with your Panda Mini 2.

Does the Worlde Panda Mini 2 come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite isn't included with the Panda Mini 2, so this must be bought 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 Panda Mini 2 to ableton

Linking the Worlde Panda Mini 2 to Ableton Live is a simple process, and when you have them connected you can control the software's parameters from your midi keyboard.

1. Connect the Panda Mini 2 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Panda Mini 2 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 Panda Mini 2 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Panda Mini 2 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 Panda Mini 2 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Panda Mini 2 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 Worlde Panda Mini 2 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 Panda Mini 2, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Panda Mini 2.
5. Moving the physical control on your Panda Mini 2 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 Panda Mini 2

Ableton's midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly customize your Panda Mini 2, though it does have a few limitations to be mindful of...

Saving your Panda Mini 2 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 button or knob on your Panda Mini 2 can only be assigned to control 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 Panda Mini 2, 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 Panda Mini 2's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Panda Mini 2,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Panda Mini 2, 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 Panda Mini 2 in Ableton Live?

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