Worlde Tuna Mini Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

The Tuna Mini from Worlde is an incredibly versatile midi keyboard 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.

This guide will provide you with all the knowledge necessary to utilize the Worlde Tuna Mini with Ableton Live, which includes how to connect, configure and midi map the Tuna Mini.

Article Contents

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

Does the Worlde Tuna Mini work with Ableton Live?

In summary, the Worlde Tuna Mini is usable with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live does not come with a MIDI remote script, the Tuna Mini can still be mapped to many of the software’s functions.

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 Tuna Mini 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 Tuna Mini.

Does the Worlde Tuna Mini come with ableton Live included?

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

Ableton Live has 3 main versions, Intro, Standard and Suite. Whilst Intro and Standard are very capable pieces of software, the Suite version packs more in, such as over 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 Tuna Mini to ableton

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

Set up of the Tuna Mini with Ableton Live is now complete.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

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

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

Saving your Tuna Mini 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

A one-to-one MIDI mapping indicates that each control on your Tuna Mini 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 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 Tuna Mini, 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 Tuna Mini’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Tuna Mini,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Tuna Mini, 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 Tuna Mini in Ableton Live?

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