Worlde Panda49 Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

Worlde’s Panda49 is a fantastically adaptable midi keyboard 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 Worlde Panda49 with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Panda49.

Article Contents

  1. Does the Worlde Panda49 work with Ableton Live?
  2. Does the Worlde Panda49 come with ableton Live included?
  3. How to connect the Panda49 to ableton
  4. How to midi map the Worlde Panda49 in Ableton Live
  5. The Limitations of midi mapping the Panda49
    1. Saving your Panda49 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 Worlde Panda49 work with Ableton Live?

In short, yes, the Worlde Panda49 is compatible with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live doesn’t provide a default MIDI remote script within its software for it, the Panda49 can still be midi mapped to many functions within the software.

All forms of Ableton Live, Intro, Lite, Standard and Suite, can work with practically any instrument that sends out MIDI data, and it will be compatible with all versions of Live such as 9, 10 and 11. Due to this, the Panda49 will be usable 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 Panda49.

Does the Worlde Panda49 come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite is not included with the Panda49, therefore it must be bought separately.

There are three main versions of Ableton Live: Intro, Standard and Suite. Whilst Intro and Standard are highly functional, Suite includes an additional 70GB library of sounds, in comparison 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 Panda49 to ableton

Linking and configuring the Worlde Panda49 to Ableton Live is not too complicated, and once you have them paired together you can control the software’s settings from your midi keyboard.

1. Connect the Panda49 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Panda49 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 Panda49 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Panda49 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 Panda49 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Panda49 is now ready for use with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After you have connected the Worlde Panda49 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 Panda49, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Panda49.
5. Moving the physical control on your Panda49 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 Panda49

With Ableton’s midi mapping system, you can swiftly map your Panda49, however, you must be aware of a few restrictions…

Saving your Panda49 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

With a one-to-one MIDI mapping, each control on your Panda49 can only be assigned to a single parameter in Ableton Live.

Limited Ableton parameter options to map to

Unfortunately, Ableton’s internal midi mapping mode does not provide every control option, so options such as controlling the selected track or selected device aren’t possible. A full list of Ableton midi mapping options can be found here.

We have a great solution to these problems

If you’re looking to get the most out of your Panda49, 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 Panda49’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Panda49,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Panda49, 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 Panda49 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Panda49 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Panda49 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Panda49.
4. Make sure that the Panda49 is selected as the input device in Ableton’s MIDI Preferences.