M Audio Trigger Finger Pro Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

M Audio’s Trigger Finger Pro is a fantastically adaptable midi controller 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 tutorial will explain all you need to know on using the M Audio Trigger Finger Pro with Ableton Live. This includes connecting, setting up and midi mapping the Trigger Finger Pro.

Article Contents

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

Does the M Audio Trigger Finger Pro work with Ableton Live?

In short, yes, the M Audio Trigger Finger Pro is compatible with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live doesn’t provide a default MIDI remote script within its software for it, the Trigger Finger Pro can still be midi mapped to many functions within 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 Trigger Finger Pro 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 Trigger Finger Pro.

Does the M Audio Trigger Finger Pro come with ableton Live included?

The Trigger Finger Pro offers a complimentary copy of Ableton Live Lite, but its features are limited in comparison to 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.

If you prefer to have all the Audio and MIDI effects, we recommend getting Ableton Live Suite, because it comes with much more of them than the Standard edition.

How to connect the Trigger Finger Pro to ableton

Linking the M Audio Trigger Finger Pro to Ableton Live is a simple process, and when you have them connected you can control the software’s parameters from your midi controller.

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

Set up of the Trigger Finger Pro with Ableton Live is now complete.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After linking up the M Audio Trigger Finger Pro to Ableton Live using the steps provided, you can now assign the physical buttons, pads, keys etc on the device to specific functions within Ableton Live via MIDI mapping as follows:

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

Ableton’s midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly map your Trigger Finger Pro, there are however, some limitations to be aware of…

Saving your Trigger Finger Pro Midi Mappings is cumbersome

When saving an Ableton session, your mappings will be saved as part of that session. Therefore, if you create a new session, you will need to remap your controls.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

A one-to-one MIDI mapping means that each button or knob on your Trigger Finger Pro can only be assigned to control 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 Trigger Finger Pro, 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 Trigger Finger Pro’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Trigger Finger Pro,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Trigger Finger Pro, 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 Trigger Finger Pro in Ableton Live?

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