Vestax Vci 100 Mk2 Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

Vestax’s Vci 100 Mk2 is a fantastically adaptable midi DJ 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.

In this tutorial you will learn everything you need to know about using the Vestax Vci 100 Mk2 with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Vci 100 Mk2.

Article Contents

Does the Vestax Vci 100 Mk2 work with Ableton Live?
Does the Vestax Vci 100 Mk2 come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Vci 100 Mk2 to ableton
How to midi map the Vestax Vci 100 Mk2 in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Vci 100 Mk2
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Vestax Vci 100 Mk2 work with Ableton Live?

In short, yes, the Vestax Vci 100 Mk2 is compatible with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live doesn’t provide a default MIDI remote script within its software for it, the Vci 100 Mk2 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 Vci 100 Mk2 is a MIDI enabled device, it will work with Ableton Live.

You can easily create midi mappings for Ableton, allowing you to access many functions of Ableton Live with your Vci 100 Mk2.

Does the Vestax Vci 100 Mk2 come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite is not included with the Vci 100 Mk2, 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’re looking to make sure you have the full range of Audio and MIDI effects, we suggest you go with Ableton Live Suite, as it has far more than the Standard edition.

How to connect the Vci 100 Mk2 to ableton

Linking and configuring the Vestax Vci 100 Mk2 to Ableton Live is not too complicated, and once you have them paired together you can control the software’s settings from your midi DJ controller.

1. Connect the Vci 100 Mk2 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Vci 100 Mk2 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 Vci 100 Mk2 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Vci 100 Mk2 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.

.
In the ‘MIDI’ section of this tab, make sure the ‘Track’ and ‘Remote’ boxes are checked for both the Input and Output of the Vci 100 Mk2 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Vci 100 Mk2 is now ready for use with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After you have connected the Vestax Vci 100 Mk2 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 Vci 100 Mk2, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Vci 100 Mk2.
5. Moving the physical control on your Vci 100 Mk2 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 Vci 100 Mk2

Ableton’s midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly map your Vci 100 Mk2, there are however, some limitations to be aware of…

Saving your Vci 100 Mk2 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 button or knob on your Vci 100 Mk2 can only be assigned to control a single 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 Vci 100 Mk2, 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 Vci 100 Mk2’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Vci 100 Mk2,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Vci 100 Mk2, 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 Vci 100 Mk2 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Vci 100 Mk2 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Vci 100 Mk2 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Vci 100 Mk2.
4. Make sure that the Vci 100 Mk2 is selected as the input device in Ableton’s MIDI Preferences.