Ableton Live 12 basic start up on Windows

 1. Basic configuration: Inputs, Outputs, Navigation (and help!)

To configure Ableton Live to hear your INPUTS (MIDI devices, instruments, vocals etc) and for you to hear the music you are creating OUTPUTS through your microphone, do the following.

PLUG EVERYTHING IN BEFORE OPENING ABLETON!!!!

From the main menu select OPTIONS then SETTINGS (or just press CTRL and COMMA, you will end up learning this shortcut!)

For INPUT devices if you have audio interface sitting between your instruments and computer, select AUDIO from the left hand side of the SETTINGS page.  Select either your audio interface or computer microphone.  We'll set the MIDI controller INPUT after this step.

For OUTPUT select either computer speakers or headphones plugged into your computer or headphones plugged into your audio interface.

 

For MIDI controllers selecte the Link, Tempo and MIDI heading on the left hand side then config your MIDI controller as shown:

Now let's test whether Ableton can receive your MIDI controller.  First make sure INFO window is switched on.  Select VIEW menu and ensure there is a tick next to INFO.  Once there is the info pane will appear in the lower left hand side.  This is populated with text explaining whatever your cursor is hovering over - very useful!!!

To test now hover your cursor over the MIDI TRACK IN INDICTOR in the top right hand corner shown in the photo below. NOTE: it is the upper of the two small squares, use the INFO box to confirm you are looking at the correct square.

You should see the small square flash orange when you press a button or key on your MIDI controller.  NOTE: View video in full screen to see the icon, it's very small, it's the upper of two small squares.

Assuming you are receiving signals from your MIDI controller, let's play some sounds!

Select INSTRUMENTS from the left hand side, then choose your instrument and drag it onto your MIDI track:

Select VIEW menu then TOGGLE ARRANGEMENT/SESSION VIEW (or just press TAB, you will learn this shortcut!) to switch from Session to Arrangement view.

Make sure your track is ARMED (see the arrow on the right hand side), RED box means it's armed (ready to record your MIDI controller instrument).  Then press RECORD (little circle in the top middle menu).  Use the INFO panel to confirm to yourself you're using the correct icons.

When using your MIDI controller, use the PADS for DRUM/PERCUSSION/SOUND EFFECT/LOOPs and the KEYS for MELODIC piano, guitar.  Some instruments you can use either.