M Audio Oxygen 8 V2 Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

The M Audio Oxygen 8 V2 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 M Audio Oxygen 8 V2 with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Oxygen 8 V2.

Article Contents

  1. Does the M Audio Oxygen 8 V2 work with Ableton Live?
  2. Does the M Audio Oxygen 8 V2 come with ableton Live included?
  3. How to connect the Oxygen 8 V2 to ableton
  4. How to midi map the M Audio Oxygen 8 V2 in Ableton Live
  5. The Limitations of midi mapping the Oxygen 8 V2
    1. Saving your Oxygen 8 V2 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 M Audio Oxygen 8 V2 work with Ableton Live?

To sum it up, the M Audio Oxygen 8 V2 is fully compatible with Ableton Live.

The Oxygen 8 V2 comes with a midi remote script to ensure it functions with Ableton Live, so just plug it in (see the instructions below to see how) and you’re good to go.

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 Oxygen 8 V2 is a MIDI enabled device it will be fully compatible with Ableton.

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 Oxygen 8 V2.

Does the M Audio Oxygen 8 V2 come with ableton Live included?

You get a complimentary version of Ableton Live Lite with the Oxygen 8 V2, but its worth noting that the features of Ableton Live Lite are not as full as those of Ableton Live Standard or Suite.

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.

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 Oxygen 8 V2 to ableton

Connecting and setting up the M Audio Oxygen 8 V2 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 Oxygen 8 V2 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Oxygen 8 V2 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 Oxygen 8 V2 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Oxygen 8 V2 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 Oxygen 8 V2 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Oxygen 8 V2 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 M Audio Oxygen 8 V2 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 Oxygen 8 V2, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Oxygen 8 V2.
5. Moving the physical control on your Oxygen 8 V2 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 Oxygen 8 V2

With Ableton’s midi mapping system, you can swiftly map your Oxygen 8 V2, however, you must be aware of a few restrictions…

Saving your Oxygen 8 V2 Midi Mappings is cumbersome

Be aware that when saving your mappings, they will be stored with the Ableton session. Therefore, starting a new session will require you to re-map your controls.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

With a one-to-one MIDI mapping, each control on your Oxygen 8 V2 can only be assigned to a single 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 Oxygen 8 V2, 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 Oxygen 8 V2’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Oxygen 8 V2,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Oxygen 8 V2, 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 Oxygen 8 V2 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Oxygen 8 V2 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Oxygen 8 V2 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Oxygen 8 V2.
4. Make sure that the Oxygen 8 V2 is selected as the input device in Ableton’s MIDI Preferences.