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Ableton Live Setup

This guide covers sending MIDI notes from Ableton Live to the MVP to trigger video and lighting clips.

This guide assumes basic familiarity with Ableton Live. For general instruction, see the Official Ableton Live Manual.

1. Configure MIDI Preferences

  1. Connect the MVP's HOST port to your computer via USB-C.

  2. Open Ableton Live.

  3. Open Preferences (macOS: Live > Settings... | Windows: Options > Preferences).

  4. Navigate to the Link Tempo MIDI tab.

  5. Scroll down to the MIDI Ports section.

  6. Locate Output: MVP.

  7. Enable the Track checkbox (this allows MIDI notes from your tracks to reach the MVP).

For timecode sync: Also enable the Sync checkbox to send MTC from Ableton. See MTC Setup for details.

2. Create a MIDI Track

  1. Create a new MIDI Track (Shift + Cmd + T / Shift + Ctrl + T).

  2. Rename the track (e.g., "MVP VIDEO" or "MVP LIGHTING").

3. Route the Output

  1. Open the I/O section on the track (if hidden, press Cmd/Ctrl + Option + I).

  2. MIDI From: Select No Input.

  3. MIDI To: Select MVP.

  4. Channel: Set to the channel configured in the MVP UI:

    • Video channel (check your MVP Video Configuration -- default: Channel 1)

    • Lighting channel (check your MVP Lighting Configuration -- default: Channel 3)

For both video and lighting, create two separate tracks -- one per channel.

4. Program Your Cues

  1. Insert a MIDI Clip: Double-click a slot (Session View) or highlight an area and press Shift + Cmd + M (Arrangement View).

  2. Draw Notes: Open the clip's Piano Roll. Draw notes that match your MVP file assignments:

    • Note 1-99 = trigger the assigned clip

    • Note 0 (C-2) = blackout

  3. Play: Press Play in Ableton. The MVP triggers instantly.

Tip: Disable the Loop toggle next to the piano roll.

5. Stopping Playback (Blackout)

Stopping Ableton does not stop the MVP. The last triggered clip continues playing.

To program a stop cue:

  • Draw a note at C-2 (Note 0) at any point in your arrangement

  • This triggers blackout (video goes black / DMX channels go to 0)

Related Pages

PreviousDAW / Computer TriggeringNextPro Tools Setup

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