Starting this thread mostly for myself as a sort of reference to future use, as I haven’t seen too many other people into this, but also posting it here in case someone else is interested in trying it out.
The point is to be able to control the Elektron synths/samplers from Ableton Push 2 (will probably work fine with Push 1 as well).
I’m in the process of setting up External Instrument racks which maps the available MIDI CC numbers for the various Elektrons, which means you can sequence and automate your Elektrons directly from Push.
So this thread will contain various files and information needed to set it up and get it up and working.
Basic MIDI setup
- hook up your Elektron to your PC via the usb cable (I find using Overhub to be the most stable)
- select the necessary MIDI IN-settings on your machine (receive MIDI over USB, receive program changes, receive notes, receive clock etc)
- make sure you turn the Elektron MIDI device ON in Ableton Live
- that’s pretty much it
Making Push/Live remember kits/patterns associated with Live-projects
In order to have Live/Push remember which kit/pattern you want to save with your Live-project, you need to enter this into the clips you’re using. I’d suggest creating a project template (I’ll create one and share later) where every instrument is laid out already, and where each track has a blank clip in the first row, which has “Pgm” under “Pgm Change” set to 1 (just for simplicity). Then, simply duplicate patterns will keep the clips tied to the kit/pattern you want to associate the Live-project with. Manipulating this, you can of course use several kits in a project. Note that you can’t change the “Pgm” value from Push, you need to do this from Live itself.
Also worth noting is that it seems like the Elektrons (at least Digitakt) doesn’t respond to either “Bank” or “Sub”, so if you define “Pgm” as 1, it will play pattern A1, if you write 8, it will play A8, if you write 17, it will play B1 (as there are only 16 patterns per letter/bank) etc.
Various notes to self
To map more than 8 macros to CC values in Live, do this:
- Add the 8 macros device (download link in bottom of this post)
- Right click the device and click “group”
- Rinse, repeat
- Voila!
If you want to automate a parameter from Push on the A4, make sure you first turn the encoder on Push so that it corresponds to where the parameter currently is at on the A4, as this makes it the default value and where it will jump back to when there is no automation.
To add 8 Macros to every channel of a drum rack, simply drag and drop the 8 macros device onto the highlighted chain in the drum rack, and rinse repeat for every channel.
In order to get drum mutes for individual pads in a drum rack, you need to be a bit of an acrobat with Push 2. So to do this (with an external instrument), you need to press and hold select, hold the pad you want to mute, then press mute (in that order!). Not very ergonomic, but it works.
Elektron external instruments and drumrack devices
AnalogFour.adg (45.2 KB)
AnalogRytm.adg (314.9 KB)
Digitakt.adg (321.7 KB)
Digitone.adg (56.5 KB)
Monomachine.adg (35.5 KB)
Octatrack.adg (199.1 KB)
Ableton Live Project File - Elektron Push 2 Template
Ableton Live project file with instruments grouped together and loaded in session view.
- Analog Rytm drumrack
- Digitakt drumrack
- 6 x Monomachine external instrument racks
- 4 x Analog Four external instrument racks
- 4 x Digitone external instrument racks
Elektron Push 2 Template.als (1.6 MB)
Alternative Ableton Set with Octatrack also mapped, as well as a Program Change MIDI track, which will set the same pattern for all Elektrons (awesome for loading up sets). If you want to use this, make sure you set up the right MIDI channels for receiving program changes on your Elektrons, as well as make sure your MIDI devices are activated in Live (in this set, I’ve loaded a Iconnectivity MIO2).
DEFAULT-ELEKTRON-EURORACK-PGMCHANGE.als (1.5 MB)
8 MIDI CC’s Macros device for Max 4 Live
8 CCs.amxd (25.2 KB)
