Using AIR Mini Grand and Velvet with Ableton Live 11 Intro

Discuss music production with Ableton Live.
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gandalf458
Posts: 33
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2022 2:22 pm

Using AIR Mini Grand and Velvet with Ableton Live 11 Intro

Post by gandalf458 » Thu May 12, 2022 12:00 pm

I have an Akai Pro MPK mini and I have successfully recorded a track or two on Ableton Live 11 Intro.

The midi controller came with Air Mini Grand, Velvet and Hybrid packs which I have installed. How do I record these on Ableton Live? I have read that although they were originally produce for ProTools they now work with any DAW.

I'm on Windows 10.

Thanks

cids
Posts: 691
Joined: Fri Jul 16, 2004 5:53 pm
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Re: Using AIR Mini Grand and Velvet with Ableton Live 11 Intro

Post by cids » Thu May 12, 2022 12:36 pm

Mac Studio M2 Max and MacBook Pro M1

Genelec M030; Live 11.3.x and Live 12; macOS Sonoma

UAD Apollo Twin

Ableton Push 2

gandalf458
Posts: 33
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2022 2:22 pm

Re: Using AIR Mini Grand and Velvet with Ableton Live 11 Intro

Post by gandalf458 » Thu May 12, 2022 1:21 pm

Thanks. They installed from MPK mini Software Manager and I have found

C:\Program Files\Steinberg\vstplugins

contains DLL files for Hybrid, Velvet and MiniGrand

C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\Overloud

contains one file TH3-64.vst3

I'm guessing this means I need a different install package for use with Ableton?

cids
Posts: 691
Joined: Fri Jul 16, 2004 5:53 pm
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Re: Using AIR Mini Grand and Velvet with Ableton Live 11 Intro

Post by cids » Thu May 12, 2022 2:46 pm

Have a look at the Ableton manual:


How to activate plug-ins in Live
1. Open Live's Preferences → Plug-Ins → Plug-In Sources

Note: If using Live 10.1 or earlier, open Preferences → File/Folder → Plug-In Sources.

2. Set Use VST2 Plug-In Custom Folder to "On" and click Browse to select the folder specified during installation.

Windows_Plug-Ins.png

3. Set Use VST3 Plug-In System Folders to "On" to activate VST3 plug-ins. In most cases, you can leave Use VST3 Plug-In Custom Folder turned off.

Note: In rare cases, the manufacturer's installer may define a path other than the default VST3 System Folder. If needed, you may then select and enable a VST3 Plug-In Custom Folder. Do not select the same location as either the VST3 System folder (C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3), or your VST2 Plug-In Custom Folder.
Mac Studio M2 Max and MacBook Pro M1

Genelec M030; Live 11.3.x and Live 12; macOS Sonoma

UAD Apollo Twin

Ableton Push 2

gandalf458
Posts: 33
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2022 2:22 pm

Re: Using AIR Mini Grand and Velvet with Ableton Live 11 Intro

Post by gandalf458 » Thu May 12, 2022 2:49 pm

Thanks, I'll take a look.

Edit: The instructions are (I think) clear enough. I just can't seem to find any VST files.

gandalf458
Posts: 33
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2022 2:22 pm

Re: Using AIR Mini Grand and Velvet with Ableton Live 11 Intro

Post by gandalf458 » Thu May 12, 2022 5:59 pm

Okey-dokey. It transpires the DLL files are the VSTs. I set the VST2 custom folder to C:\Program Files\Steinberg\vstplugins and the plug-ins now show. Seems they're VST2s and not VST3s as I thought they would be.

I also found a manual in C:\Program Files (x86) which seems odd since the programs are in C:\Program Files

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Anyway, thank for the pointers...

Terrorbeat
Posts: 35
Joined: Tue May 11, 2021 4:41 am

Re: Using AIR Mini Grand and Velvet with Ableton Live 11 Intro

Post by Terrorbeat » Thu May 12, 2022 8:36 pm

gandalf458 wrote:
Thu May 12, 2022 5:59 pm
Okey-dokey. It transpires the DLL files are the VSTs. I set the VST2 custom folder to C:\Program Files\Steinberg\vstplugins and the plug-ins now show. Seems they're VST2s and not VST3s as I thought they would be.

I also found a manual in C:\Program Files (x86) which seems odd since the programs are in C:\Program Files

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Anyway, thank for the pointers...
We'll be lucky if those ever get VST3 versions I think.. Not sure what has happened to AIR since inMusic took over, but those plugins have not been updated in ages. All they've done with them in the last few years was have whoever is left from AIR still working there port them to the new MPC's. Aside from that, they just keep nickel and diming as much sales as they can off them through Plugin Boutique/Audio Plugin Deals/etc. Last time I tried to even install the AIR Creative Collection (you get all of that stuff for free with an MPC nowadays) none of the plugins validate and work anymore on the last couple MacOS's. At least Windows users wont have that issue for now.

Mark Williams
Posts: 898
Joined: Sun Aug 10, 2014 2:43 pm
Location: Kent

Re: Using AIR Mini Grand and Velvet with Ableton Live 11 Intro

Post by Mark Williams » Fri May 13, 2022 7:51 am

Current Air plugins are currently not being worked/tested on, new plugins on the way.
Live 11, M1 Mac Mini, Push 2, Scarlett 18i20 & ADA8200, Softube Console 1 Mk2, Deepmind12, Hydrasynth, Cobalt 8M, Moog Subsequent 25, IK Uno Synth Pro, Plethora X3, Nord Drum 3P

gandalf458
Posts: 33
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2022 2:22 pm

Re: Using AIR Mini Grand and Velvet with Ableton Live 11 Intro

Post by gandalf458 » Fri May 13, 2022 9:06 am

I noticed that the DLL files installed are dated 2015 :roll:

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