Yaeltex Btmkr Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

Yaeltex’s Btmkr is an exceptionally flexible midi controller and is a powerful tool when is used with Ableton Live. This midi controller has a plethora of features, making it perfect for Ableton Live.

This tutorial will explain all you need to know on using the Yaeltex Btmkr with Ableton Live. This includes connecting, setting up and midi mapping the Btmkr.

Article Contents

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

Does the Yaeltex Btmkr work with Ableton Live?

In short, yes, the Yaeltex Btmkr is compatible with Ableton Live.

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

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 Btmkr 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 Btmkr.

Does the Yaeltex Btmkr come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite is not included with the Btmkr, 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.

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 Btmkr to ableton

Connecting and setting up the Yaeltex Btmkr 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 controller.

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

Set up of the Btmkr with Ableton Live is now complete.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

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

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

Saving your Btmkr 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

Through a one-to-one MIDI mapping, each control on your Btmkr can only be assigned to 1 parameter in Ableton Live.

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

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