Numark Total Control Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

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

This tutorial will teach you everything needed in order to use the Numark Total Control with Ableton Live, including the processes of linking, setting up and midi mapping the Total Control.

Article Contents

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

To put it briefly, the Numark Total Control is compatible with Ableton Live.

Despite the absence of a built-in MIDI remote script within Ableton Live, users can still use the Total Control to midi map to numerous functions in the software.

All versions of Ableton Live, Intro, Lite, standard and suite can be used in conjunction with pretty much any device which sends MIDI data, and it will work with all versions of Live such as 9, 10 and 11. As the Total Control is a MIDI enabled device it will be fully compatible with Ableton.

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 Total Control.

Does the Numark Total Control come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite isn’t included with the Total Control, so this must be bought separately.

There are three main versions of Ableton Live: Intro, Standard and Suite. Although Intro and Standard are both powerful, Suite offers extra features, such as 70GB of library sounds, in contrast to Standard’s 10GB.

For those who want to guarantee they have access to the largest selection of Audio and MIDI effects, we suggest investing in Ableton Live Suite, as it has a much larger selection than the Standard edition.

How to connect the Total Control to ableton

Connecting and setting up the Numark Total Control 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 .

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

The Total Control is all set and can now be used with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

Upon making a successful connection between the Numark Total Control and Ableton Live using the instructions above, you can now use MIDI mapping to allocate the physical knobs, pads, keys etc on the device to their respective functions in Ableton Live like this:

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

With Ableton’s midi mapping system, you can swiftly map your Total Control, however, you must be aware of a few restrictions…

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

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