American Audio Vms4 1 Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

The American Audio Vms4 1 is a highly versatile midi controller and is a powerful instrument when used in combination with Ableton Live. This midi DJ controller 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 American Audio Vms4 1 with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Vms4 1.

Article Contents

  1. Does the American Audio Vms4 1 work with Ableton Live?
  2. Does the American Audio Vms4 1 come with ableton Live included?
  3. How to connect the Vms4 1 to ableton
  4. How to midi map the American Audio Vms4 1 in Ableton Live
  5. The Limitations of midi mapping the Vms4 1
    1. Saving your Vms4 1 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 American Audio Vms4 1 work with Ableton Live?

In summary, the American Audio Vms4 1 is usable with Ableton Live.

Despite the absence of a built-in MIDI remote script within Ableton Live, users can still use the Vms4 1 to midi map to numerous functions in the software.

All versions of Ableton Live, Intro, Lite, standard and suite can be used in conjunction with pretty much any device which sends MIDI data, and it will work with all versions of Live such as 9, 10 and 11. As the Vms4 1 is a MIDI enabled device it will be fully compatible with Ableton.

You can create your own custom Ableton midi mappings easily, which allows you to control much of the functionality in Ableton Live with your Vms4 1.

Does the American Audio Vms4 1 come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite isn’t included with the Vms4 1, so this must be bought separately.

Ableton Live has 3 main versions, Intro, Standard and Suite. Whilst Intro and Standard are very capable pieces of software, the Suite version packs more in, such as over 70GB of library sounds compared to Standard’s 10GB.

For those seeking the full range of Audio and MIDI effects, we highly suggest purchasing Ableton Live Suite, as it offers significantly more than the Standard edition.

How to connect the Vms4 1 to ableton

Connecting and setting up the American Audio Vms4 1 with Ableton Live is a simple task, after they’re connected you’ll be able to adjust the software’s parameters from your midi DJ controller.

1. Connect the Vms4 1 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Vms4 1 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 Vms4 1 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Vms4 1 are checked.
4. Ensure that the proper ‘Track’, ‘Remote’ and ‘Sync’ boxes are checked for both input and output.

  • Track: When checked, this allows MIDI notes and CC messages to be sent/received.
  • Sync: This option enables MIDI clock syncing between Ableton live and the external device.
  • Remote: Allows external MIDI controllers to remotely control parameters within Ableton Live.

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In the ‘MIDI’ section of this tab, make sure the ‘Track’ and ‘Remote’ boxes are checked for both the Input and Output of the Vms4 1 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Vms4 1 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 American Audio Vms4 1 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 Vms4 1, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Vms4 1.
5. Moving the physical control on your Vms4 1 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 Vms4 1

For the fastest way to map your Vms4 1, you can’t go wrong with Ableton’s midi mapping system, but make sure you take into account these limitations…

Saving your Vms4 1 Midi Mappings is cumbersome

It is important to note that your mappings are stored with the Ableton session when saving. Consequently, when you create a new session, you will have to remap your controls again.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

Through a one-to-one MIDI mapping, each control on your Vms4 1 can only be assigned to 1 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 Vms4 1, 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 Vms4 1’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Vms4 1,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Vms4 1, 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 Vms4 1 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Vms4 1 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Vms4 1 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Vms4 1.
4. Make sure that the Vms4 1 is selected as the input device in Ableton’s MIDI Preferences.