Nektar Impact Gxp 61 Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

The Nektar Impact Gxp 61 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 Nektar Impact Gxp 61 with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Impact Gxp 61.

Article Contents

Does the Nektar Impact Gxp 61 work with Ableton Live?
Does the Nektar Impact Gxp 61 come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Impact Gxp 61 to ableton
How to midi map the Nektar Impact Gxp 61 in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Impact Gxp 61
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Nektar Impact Gxp 61 work with Ableton Live?

In short, yes, the Nektar Impact Gxp 61 is compatible with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live does not come with a MIDI remote script, the Impact Gxp 61 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 Impact Gxp 61 is a MIDI enabled device, it will work 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 Impact Gxp 61.

Does the Nektar Impact Gxp 61 come with ableton Live included?

The Impact Gxp 61 doesn’t come with a copy of Ableton Live Lite, so this would need to be purchased separately.

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.

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 Impact Gxp 61 to ableton

Connecting and setting up the Nektar Impact Gxp 61 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 Impact Gxp 61 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Impact Gxp 61 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 Impact Gxp 61 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Impact Gxp 61 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 Impact Gxp 61 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

Set up of the Impact Gxp 61 with Ableton Live is now complete.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After linking up the Nektar Impact Gxp 61 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 Impact Gxp 61, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Impact Gxp 61.
5. Moving the physical control on your Impact Gxp 61 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 Impact Gxp 61

Ableton’s midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly customize your Impact Gxp 61, though it does have a few limitations to be mindful of…

Saving your Impact Gxp 61 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 indicates that each control on your Impact Gxp 61 is capable of controlling only one 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 Impact Gxp 61, 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 Impact Gxp 61’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Impact Gxp 61,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Impact Gxp 61, 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 Impact Gxp 61 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Impact Gxp 61 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Impact Gxp 61 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Impact Gxp 61.
4. Make sure that the Impact Gxp 61 is selected as the input device in Ableton’s MIDI Preferences.