M Audio Torq Xponent Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

M Audio’s Torq Xponent is a fantastically adaptable midi that is extremely useful when coupled with Ableton Live. This device has a great range of features, making it ideal as an Ableton Live controller.

This guide will provide you with all the knowledge necessary to utilize the M Audio Torq Xponent with Ableton Live, which includes how to connect, configure and midi map the Torq Xponent.

Article Contents

Does the M Audio Torq Xponent work with Ableton Live?
Does the M Audio Torq Xponent come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Torq Xponent to ableton
How to midi map the M Audio Torq Xponent in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Torq Xponent
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the M Audio Torq Xponent work with Ableton Live?

To sum it up, the M Audio Torq Xponent is fully compatible with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live does not come with a MIDI remote script, the Torq Xponent can still be mapped to many of the software’s functions.

Any edition of Ableton Live, from Intro to Suite, will be compatible with any device that transmits MIDI data. This works for all editions of Live, for instance 9, 10, and 11. As the Torq Xponent is a MIDI enabled device, it will work with Ableton Live.

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

Does the M Audio Torq Xponent come with ableton Live included?

Yes the Torq Xponent comes with a free copy of Ableton Live Lite. Although it has unlimited usage, the available features are a lot less than what is available in the full versions of Ableton Live Standard or Suite.

There are three main versions of Ableton Live: Intro, Standard and Suite. Even though Intro and Standard are both effective, Suite offers a lot more, including 70GB of library sounds, compared 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 Torq Xponent to ableton

Connecting the M Audio Torq Xponent with Ableton Live is pretty simple, and when the two are linked you’ll be able to adjust the software’s parameters from your midi .

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

The Torq Xponent will now be setup and ready to use with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After successfully connecting the M Audio Torq Xponent to Ableton live following the steps above, you can now MIDI map the physical knobs, pads, keys etc on the device to functionality within Ableton Live by doing the following:

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

Ableton’s midi mapping system is a great solution for quickly mapping your Torq Xponent, however, you must take into account some potential limitations…

Saving your Torq Xponent 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 means that each button or knob on your Torq Xponent can only be assigned to control a single parameter in Ableton Live.

Limited Ableton parameter options to map to

Unfortunately, Ableton’s internal midi mapping mode does not include every control options, options such as selected track control and selected device control unfortunately aren’t possible. You can view a comprehensive list of all Ableton midi mapping options here.

We have a great solution to these problems

If you’re looking to get the most out of your Torq Xponent, 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 Torq Xponent’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Torq Xponent,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Torq Xponent, 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 Torq Xponent in Ableton Live?

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