Nektar Aura Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

The Nektar Aura is a highly versatile midi controller and is a powerful instrument when used in combination with Ableton Live. This midi controller has a great selection of features that make it perfect for your Ableton Live setup.

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

Article Contents

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

Does the Nektar Aura work with Ableton Live?

In short, yes, the Nektar Aura is compatible with Ableton Live.

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

All editions of Ableton Live, from Intro to Suite, can be used with any device that sends out MIDI data. This is the case for all versions of Live, 9, 10, or 11. Seeing as the Aura is a MIDI capable device, it is fully suited to function with Ableton Live.

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 Aura.

Does the Nektar Aura come with ableton Live included?

The Aura does not have Ableton Live Lite, it must be purchased independently.

There are three main versions with Ableton Live: Intro, Standard and Suite. Though Intro and Standard are both comprehensive, Suite offers much more, such as 70GB of library sounds, in comparison 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 Aura to ableton

Connecting the Nektar Aura 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 controller.

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

The Aura is now ready for use with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After you have connected the Nektar Aura to Ableton Live with the aforementioned steps, you can now use MIDI mapping to link up the physical knobs, pads, keys etc on the device to their corresponding features in Ableton Live:

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

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

Saving your Aura Midi Mappings is cumbersome

Mappings are saved along with your Ableton session. Therefore, if a new session is created, you must re-map all of your controls.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

A one-to-one MIDI mapping means that each control on your Aura can only be assigned to a single Ableton Live parameter.

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 Aura, 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 Aura’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Aura,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Aura, 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 Aura in Ableton Live?

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