Nektar Panorama P6 Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

The Panorama P6 from Nektar is an incredibly versatile midi controller and is a powerful tool when used in combination with Ableton Live. The Akai MPK Mini has a wealth of features that make it perfect for use with Ableton Live.

In this tutorial you will learn everything you need to know about using the Nektar Panorama P6 with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Panorama P6.

Article Contents

  1. Does the Nektar Panorama P6 work with Ableton Live?
  2. Does the Nektar Panorama P6 come with ableton Live included?
  3. How to connect the Panorama P6 to ableton
  4. How to midi map the Nektar Panorama P6 in Ableton Live
  5. The Limitations of midi mapping the Panorama P6
    1. Saving your Panorama P6 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 Nektar Panorama P6 work with Ableton Live?

To put it briefly, the Nektar Panorama P6 is compatible with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live doesn’t provide a default MIDI remote script within its software for it, the Panorama P6 can still be midi mapped to many functions within the software.

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 Panorama P6 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 Panorama P6.

Does the Nektar Panorama P6 come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite is not included with the Panorama P6, therefore it must be bought separately.

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 Panorama P6 to ableton

Connecting and setting up the Nektar Panorama P6 with Ableton Live is a simple task, after they’re connected you’ll be able to adjust the software’s parameters from your midi controller.

1. Connect the Panorama P6 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Panorama P6 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 Panorama P6 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Panorama P6 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 Panorama P6 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Panorama P6 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 Panorama P6 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 Panorama P6, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Panorama P6.
5. Moving the physical control on your Panorama P6 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 Panorama P6

Ableton’s midi mapping system is a great solution for quickly mapping your Panorama P6, however, you must take into account some potential limitations…

Saving your Panorama P6 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 Panorama P6 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 Panorama P6, 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 Panorama P6’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Panorama P6,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Panorama P6, 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 Panorama P6 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Panorama P6 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Panorama P6 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Panorama P6.
4. Make sure that the Panorama P6 is selected as the input device in Ableton’s MIDI Preferences.