New and trying to connect Midi controller to Ableton

[Carmy-Rosie]

Hi everybody,

hoping you are doing well, I am new to Ableton and to making music with computers. And I am French, so I try to express myself the best I can in English

So, I have Windows 11 and I use Ableton Live 12 Intro and tried to connect it to a keyboard I bought in the past and that happens to have a Midi connection. This keyboard is a Startoner BK 37-Mini.

From what I understand, Ableton recognised my keyboard but only as an Output and not as an Input. But what I was interested in was the Input. I researched in the website of Thomann, from which I have this keyboard and it was written it has only Midi as Output. So I guessed it is the explanation why it doesn't work, but I am not completely sure, that's why I am asking.

My second question is: Am I right if I buy a Midi interface to solve this problem? Or is it better to buy a new keyboard that Midi as Input and as Output? My budget now would be nearly 100 Euro.

I hope I gathered the most important pieces of information, thank you for your attention

[[jur]]

My second question is: Am I right if I buy a Midi interface to solve this problem? Or is it better to buy a new keyboard that Midi as Input and as Output? My budget now would be nearly 100 Euro.

You'd probably enjoy getting a better keyboard as yours seems quite small and with tiny keys. It seems like it has USB connection so no you don't need any MIDI interface.
And it has MIDI Out via USB which is exactly what you need to output its MIDI into Live.

Go to Live's Preferences > "Tempo & MIDI" tab
At the bottom of the window you'll see "ports d'entrée", and right underneath you should see your keyboard's port (it might have the same name as your keyboard, or something different maybe a bit more generic but you'll find it)
Here, activate its "Piste" checkbox.
Done.

Now, arm any midi track and Live will receive the notes information sent from your keyboard.

Have fun.

[[jur]]

is it better to buy a new keyboard that Midi as Input and as Output?

A keyboard OUTPUT's its midi via its output port, and Live receives midi via its INPUT.

Some midi controllers also have a midi input, which is generally used to send back data from Live (from its output) to the controller to sync, for example, knobs values from plugins to the controllers encoders and other things.
That was just a quick explanation, but you can ignore this for the time being.

[Carmy-Rosie]

Thank you for your replies. I try to orientate myself in this new universe, it is not easy.

Go to Live's Preferences > "Tempo & MIDI" tab
At the bottom of the window you'll see "ports d'entrée", and right underneath you should see your keyboard's port (it might have the same name as your keyboard, or something different maybe a bit more generic but you'll find it)
Here, activate its "Piste" checkbox.
Done.

What you write is exactly what I tried to do and it didn't work. That is my point.

In the tab, for entry ("entrée") there is no possibility. I have only one keyboard's name under "sortie" (output).
Then at the bottom I can activate "Pistes" only for "Ports de sortie".
For "ports d'entrée" I cannot activate anything.

I hope I express myself clearly. Do you have any idea?

[[jur]]

Yeah i get what you mean.
That's very strange then, since the keyboard's specs on Thomann says it has a MIDI out... which should then appear in Live's MIDI input ports.
Do you have any standalone midi monitor app installed on your computer? That would help checking what that USB is actually doing.
But I suspect the specs are wrong on Thomann, since Live does actually see the keyboard (but not in the direction you need).

[Carmy-Rosie]

Yes, thanks for your answer.
With the app it sounds like a good idea.
I cannot try now but when I will, I will write again.

[CatDrastic]

Hi all. I'm also new to Ableton and am having an issue with my M-Audio oxygen pro mini.

Mostly it is working fine except it is setting piano keys in odd places in various octaves to change channel/track. Also these often start playback and record notes as well though I've no idea where to. Does anyone know how to make my piano a piano again ?

[[jur]]

Hi all. I'm also new to Ableton and am having an issue with my M-Audio oxygen pro mini.

Mostly it is working fine except it is setting piano keys in odd places in various octaves to change channel/track. Also these often start playback and record notes as well though I've no idea where to. Does anyone know how to make my piano a piano again ?

You should find a detailed answer here.