Worlde Panda Mini Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map
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The Panda Mini from Worlde is an incredibly versatile midi keyboard and is a powerful tool when used in combination with Ableton Live. The Akai MPK Mini has a wealth of features that make it perfect for use with Ableton Live.
This tutorial will teach you everything needed in order to use the Worlde Panda Mini with Ableton Live, including the processes of linking, setting up and midi mapping the Panda Mini.
Article Contents
- Does the Worlde Panda Mini work with Ableton Live?
- Does the Worlde Panda Mini come with ableton Live included?
- How to connect the Panda Mini to ableton
- How to midi map the Worlde Panda Mini in Ableton Live
- The Limitations of midi mapping the Panda Mini
- Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?
Does the Worlde Panda Mini work with Ableton Live?
In short, yes, the Worlde Panda Mini is compatible with Ableton Live.
Despite the absence of a built-in MIDI remote script within Ableton Live, users can still use the Panda Mini to midi map to numerous functions in the software.
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 Panda Mini is a MIDI enabled tool, it will be completely compatible 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 Panda Mini.
Does the Worlde Panda Mini come with ableton Live included?
Ableton Live Lite isn't included with the Panda Mini, so this must be bought separately.
There are three main versions of Ableton Live: Intro, Standard and Suite. Although Intro and Standard are both powerful, Suite offers extra features, such as 70GB of library sounds, in contrast to Standard's 10GB.
Ableton Live Suite includes many more Audio and MIDI effects compared to Standard, so if you want to ensure you have everything, we recommend going with Ableton Live Suite.
How to connect the Panda Mini to ableton
Connecting and setting up the Worlde Panda Mini 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 Panda Mini to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Panda Mini 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 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Panda Mini 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 (Sync can also be optionally checked).
The Panda Mini 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 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, 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.
5. Moving the physical control on your Panda Mini 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
For the fastest way to map your Panda Mini, you can't go wrong with Ableton's midi mapping system, but make sure you take into account these limitations...
Saving your Panda Mini 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 indicates that each control on your Panda Mini is capable of controlling only one parameter in Ableton Live.
Limited Ableton parameter options to map to
Ableton’s internal midi mapping mode is unfortunately missing many control options. Options such as selected track and selected device control aren’t possible using this method. You can see a list of all available 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, 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's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Panda Mini,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Panda Mini, 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 in Ableton Live?
There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Panda Mini is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Panda Mini 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.
4. Make sure that the Panda Mini is selected as the input device in Ableton's MIDI Preferences.