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Controllers => MiniLab => Topic started by: kurtgarrison on February 08, 2014, 08:42:10 pm

Title: Setting up Arturia Minilab to work with Ableton Live 9 on a Mac
Post by: kurtgarrison on February 08, 2014, 08:42:10 pm
Very frustrated with the Minilab.
First of all, I'm a front end web developer by day. I constantly have to install new programs and learn new things.

This instructions to set up Minilab with Ableton Live are laughable:

Quote
1. Install the folder ‘Arturia MiniLab’ into the folder:

Mac users:
Macintosh HD/Users/(username)/Library/Preferences/Ableton/Live (latest version)/user remote scripts/ 

2. Plug in your MiniLab to a USB port.
3. Launch Ableton
4. Open the Preferences panel
5. Choose the MIDI/Sync tab
6. Select Arturia MiniLab from the list in under Control Surface

"Install the folder"? what are you talking about? And this path does not exist for me. I'm on an iMac OSX.  I tried just creating it. When I open Ableton and go to Preferences --> MIDI. THE MINILAB DOES NOT COME UP IN THE LIST UNDER CONTROL SURFACES! It does however come up in the "Input" and "Output". I selected them there. Tried to record. I'm getting a MIDI signal into Ableton, BUT IT WON'T RECORD! I've updated to the latest version of Minilab 1.1.

Any help would be appreciated or I'm about to  throw this piece of shit in the trash!
Title: Re: Setting up Arturia Minilab to work with Ableton Live 9 on a Mac
Post by: kickwizard on February 08, 2014, 09:36:15 pm
On windows that path is hidden it might be the same for mac

Is there a library/preferences folder for you to access

The path must exist it holds the ableton program data

In the user remote scripts folder contains a readme file

InstantMappings HowTo
=====================

With the file 'UserConfiguration.txt' provided in
 this directory,

you can create your own Instant
Mappings.

Note: Since this mechanism relies on the scripts
  added for Live 6,

you can solely map the given
  functions to your Control Surface.

You can neither
  add functions nor can you change the banks of
  device parameters.




1. Create a directory in 'User Remote Scripts'.
 
The name of the directory will show up in the
  list of Control Surfaces in Live.
 
Naming: The name of the directory should not
    start with '_' or '.'.



2. Copy the the file 'UserConfiguration.txt' into
  your directory.
The name of the file needs to
  remain unchanged.



3. Edit the copy to adapt it to your needs. The
  comments in the file will tell you what to do.



So basicly change the folder name to minilab and put in the user remote scripts directory

Depending what you want mapped you might prefer using abletons built in  midi learn and saving
a default template as it is more efficient than the script

Ideally customise the script to your needs and use the midi learn as it overides the script

Ableton do not seem to support generic mapping as they have there own control surfaces they will
allways prefer to support 

I found problems in some controls in relative mode with the script but dont believe it was the minilab
or the script it was ableton the way i got round this was made a hybrid absolute/relative script
Title: Re: Setting up Arturia Minilab to work with Ableton Live 9 on a Mac
Post by: kurtgarrison on February 09, 2014, 01:53:42 am
Thanks for the feedback.
Quote
Is there a library/preferences folder for you to access
Not under Users/ but in the top directory of the OSX hard drive I found .. Library/Preferences/

Here I just duplicated the path that was in the instructions
Quote
Macintosh HD/Users/(username)/Library/Preferences/Ableton/Live (latest version)/user remote scripts/ 

And I did the following but it still doesn't show up under Control Surfaces
Quote
1. Create a directory in 'User Remote Scripts'.
 
The name of the directory will show up in the
  list of Control Surfaces in Live.
 
Naming: The name of the directory should not
    start with '_' or '.'.



2. Copy the the file 'UserConfiguration.txt' into
  your directory.
The name of the file needs to
  remain unchanged.

Title: Re: Setting up Arturia Minilab to work with Ableton Live 9 on a Mac
Post by: kickwizard on February 09, 2014, 04:01:23 pm
The user library/preferences folder is hidden

You will have to enable hidden files to find it

Your need to research this its easy to find

Sorry I am using  windows and wouldn't link something I hadn't checked myself as it involves the terminal

There is an temp show option in finder for mavericks and later
Title: Re: Setting up Arturia Minilab to work with Ableton Live 9 on a Mac
Post by: kurtgarrison on February 09, 2014, 06:57:21 pm
First of all thank you Kickwizard for your feedback on this! Greatly appreciated.
I researched 'showing hidden files on Mac'. It gave me some code to enter into Terminal. I did this and presto I could see files I wasn't seeing before. Inside the 'Remote User Scripts' folder I created a directory called 'Arturia Minilab' and I put in the script file. I then opened Ableton Live 9 and to my surprise I saw Arturia Minilab in the Control Surface dropdown! Thanks for that!

I'm still having this issue and I'm not sure if it's me or a bug. I opened Analog Lab which is the sound library that comes with the Minilab. I found a sound I liked, armed a MIDI track in Ableton for record. I can see the input coming in at the bottom of the track when I play the keyboard. It's a yellow color. I went up to the first slot in my MIDI track and clicked on it. I recorded some keyboard. After stopping, if I click on that slot it shows in the bottom the MIDI notes I just played. So I can see that it is communicating with the Minilab. HOWEVER, when I playback I don't hear any sound?? I thought this might have something to do with the Control Surface issue. But I'm still not hearing it.

Any clues would be greatly appreciated. I feel like I'm so close. I don't want to abandon the Minilab but haven't been able to record with it yet!

thank you,
Kurt

I will post up the instructions for making hidden files on Mac visible for anyone how is having the same issue and is comfortable using the Terminal. It's easy to do.

Quote
The following method makes the user Library folder permanently visible.
NOTE: Only advanced users should attempt this method.
Launch Terminal from Mac HD > Applications > Utilities.
From within Terminal type the following command and press Return:
chflags nohidden ~/Library.
Enter system administrator password if prompted and press Return. NOTE: The System administrator password is not visible as you type it.
Title: Re: Setting up Arturia Minilab to work with Ableton Live 9 on a Mac
Post by: vaikl on February 10, 2014, 12:12:54 am
I opened Analog Lab which is the sound library that comes with the Minilab. I found a sound I liked, armed a MIDI track in Ableton for record.

If you have added a MIDI track with Analog Lab as the instrument plugin/VSTi on it in Live, you don't need to add another MIDI track with the Minilab as the keyboard input. Just select Minilab as MIDI input *on* the Analog Lab track. Or leave this selection to "All MIDI inputs", which will include the Minilab.

FYI: Minilab is essentially a MIDI keyboard and is enhanced with some controller functions. So you don't have to place it in the Controller Surfaces menu if you just wanna play a MIDI keyboard and record the sounds of Analog Lab, just leave it under "Preferences" in the section of MIDI devices with the "Track" option for input selected. You should hear an Analog Lab sound if you put Minilab as a MIDI device on the Analog Lab track and select "Auto" as the monitoring option for that track - don't use other tracks before you are sure what you can do with them.
Title: Re: Setting up Arturia Minilab to work with Ableton Live 9 on a Mac
Post by: kurtgarrison on February 10, 2014, 12:28:25 am
hello vaikl,
I attached a screengrab within Ableton LIve 9.
By default it is set to 'All Ins'. I even specifically selected 'Arturia Minilab' under 'MIDI From'. As you can see from the screengrab it recorded the MIDI notes but when I play back I hear nothing?

Where is says 'MIDI To'. Is there something I should select here? The 'Audio To' goes to Master. Seems weird that 'MIDI To' says No Output. Though I tried the options here but still couldn't get sound on playback.....
Title: Re: Setting up Arturia Minilab to work with Ableton Live 9 on a Mac
Post by: vaikl on February 10, 2014, 12:54:58 am
hello vaikl,
I attached a screengrab within Ableton LIve 9.
By default it is set to 'All Ins'. I even specifically selected 'Arturia Minilab' under 'MIDI From'. As you can see from the screengrab it recorded the MIDI notes but when I play back I hear nothing?

Where is says 'MIDI To'. Is there something I should select here? The 'Audio To' goes to Master. Seems weird that 'MIDI To' says No Output. Though I tried the options here but still couldn't get sound on playback.....

Sorry, but i don't see any screenshot ???

Anyway - recording something means putting a track into recording mode *and* setting the complete session to the red record mode on the transport section. You should easily see a MIDI recorded AnalogLab track in the arrangement view of Live. If there are recorded MIDI notes and they are initiating action on the volume indicators during playback and you still get no sounds from that track, check the Live preferences for audio i/o if there all output options are marked.
Title: Re: Setting up Arturia Minilab to work with Ableton Live 9 on a Mac
Post by: kurtgarrison on February 10, 2014, 01:55:11 am
Hi vaikl,
ya sorry about that. I attached it, checked and didn't see it so I tried it again.. thought maybe it was attached and I just wasn't seeing it. Ok I got this to work. I want to post this up in case someone else is having the same problem.

There was a step I was missing, and maybe because there was no screengrab you couldn't notice. Or maybe there is more than one way to do it?

In the left Browser window I went to 'Plug-ins' -->VST -->Analog Lab. I grabbed Analog Lab and pulled it over into an empty slot on my MIDI track. The track was then named Analog Lab. The Analog Lab interface opened up. Previously I had opened it up independently from Ableton not through dragging it over. I armed this track and clicked play on an empt slot and it recorded! Heard it on playback!!

This must be in the documentation somewhere. Can't believe it was so hard to figure this out.
Deep breath.. now I will try to get some work done!

Thanks for the feedback, without it I might have given up on the Minilab :)

best,
Kurt

ps. just want to note, I shut Ableton down and opened later trying the same thing and wasn't hearing the keyboard. Then I got it to work while using my Mac keyboard but not the Minilab, then I unplugged the Minilab and and plugged it back in and it worked. Something glitchy so not 100% satisfied but will proceed with recording and hope all goes well.
Title: Re: Setting up Arturia Minilab to work with Ableton Live 9 on a Mac
Post by: Big E on April 03, 2014, 03:34:06 am
Hey Everybody,

Im new to this.

I'm running Ableton 9 on a Mac with OSX. I purchased a Arturia MiniLab and after days of confusion, I got it to appear in my Control Surfaces in Preferences.

BUT , now I'm ready to record.

How do i record the ANALOG LAB in Ableton?

The keyboard signal is being picked up.
when I record notes show in the display screen in Ableton.
But no sound in playback after i record.

I simply want to record sounds from ANALOG LAB into my project in ABLETON 9

Please help anybody
Title: Re: Setting up Arturia Minilab to work with Ableton Live 9 on a Mac
Post by: kurtgarrison on April 03, 2014, 01:00:43 pm
Hey Big E,
I wrote this earlier maybe you missed it but follow it closely I had the same issue.

Inside Abelton, on the left side panel I went to 'Plug-ins' -->VST -->Analog Lab. I grabbed Analog Lab and dragged it over into an empty slot on my MIDI track. The track was then automatically named Analog Lab. The Analog Lab interface opened up. Previously I had opened it up independently from Ableton not through dragging it over. I clicked record ready and clicked play on an open slot of that track and it recorded! Heard it on playback!!
Title: Re: Setting up Arturia Minilab to work with Ableton Live 9 on a Mac
Post by: Big E on April 04, 2014, 06:45:36 am
Hey, kurtgarrison

yup you got it!

i got it to work last night, brain was going numb after trying to get it to work.

i looked over finally in my Plug ins under Categories and Analog Lab was there.

I swore i looked before and it wasn't, between getting the script to work etc....sheesh

But yeah i finally got the lab to show and record! so I'm good now

Thanks for the post
Title: Re: Setting up Arturia Minilab to work with Ableton Live 9 on a Mac
Post by: cokehead on May 28, 2014, 12:13:34 pm
Hey Everybody,

Im new to this.

I'm running Ableton 9 on a Mac with OSX. I purchased a Arturia MiniLab and after days of confusion, I got it to appear in my Control Surfaces in Preferences.

BUT , now I'm ready to record.

How do i record the ANALOG LAB in Ableton?

The keyboard signal is being picked up.
when I record notes show in the display screen in Ableton.
But no sound in playback after i record.

I simply want to record sounds from ANALOG LAB into my project in ABLETON 9

Please help anybody

Hi Big E,

I've been cracking my head to get the minilab work, how do you get it appear in your control surface in preferences?

Thanks in advance

Title: Re: Setting up Arturia Minilab to work with Ableton Live 9 on a Mac
Post by: djenzyme on May 31, 2014, 12:08:40 am
If you are on OSX, the folder for remote scripts can be found if you go to applications, then right click on the Ableton icon and choose 'show package contents'.
Title: Re: Setting up Arturia Minilab to work with Ableton Live 9 on a Mac
Post by: SuMo_D on June 15, 2014, 10:59:39 pm
Ok... I'm super frustrated...

I'm new to Ableton and Arturia. I love the MiniLab and the Analog lab software... so very exciting. Now I just want to record it.... I've gotten to the point where I can figure out how to get the mini lab selected in the preferences, and it controlls things, that's great...

But I can't seem to get Analog lab to show up, so that I can select it as an instrument or make it pop up within Ableton to use? Which of the side bars should it be under? - Do I need another VST plugin or something? Or is there another step other than just putting it in the remote scripts folder.

please help!

S
Title: Re: Setting up Arturia Minilab to work with Ableton Live 9 on a Mac
Post by: Jerome Arturia on June 16, 2014, 11:56:11 am
SuMo_D: You should be able to select Analog Lab by clicking on the outlet logo, located on Live's left panel.

Can you let me know what's your OS?
Title: Re: Setting up Arturia Minilab to work with Ableton Live 9 on a Mac
Post by: Jerome Arturia on June 16, 2014, 11:59:56 am
Sorry, didn't read the thread correctly!

If it's not showing up in the plug in menu, make sure you installed correctly the VST or VST3 or AU extension for Analog Lab, by checking those paths:
/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/Analog Lab.vst3
/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST/Analog Lab.vst
/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/Analog Lab.component

If one of the extension is installed, I'll invite you to follow this procedure:
1/ Launch Ableton
2/ Press 'Cmd' + ',' (MAC)
3/ Click on the 'File Folder' tab
4/ Check the 'Plug-Ins Sources' section and make sure the 'Use VST Plug-In System Folder' is set to 'On'
5/ If the mention is already set to 'On', please, click on Rescan
Title: Re: Setting up Arturia Minilab to work with Ableton Live 9 on a Mac
Post by: SuMo_D on June 17, 2014, 04:44:50 am
Yes!!!!!!!! It works! :D Thank you so so so much!!! I am so ready for this adventure. I'm more of a visual artist, and was looking at a few different MIDI controllers, I'm SO HAPPY with the Mini Lab so far, its so beyond my expectations, and now that I have the Ableton integration. I can't wait to see where it goes.

Just as a side note, you might want to include how to do the VST installs and scans in your working with Ableton PDF for future users.

Thanks again!

A
Title: Re: Setting up Arturia Minilab to work with Ableton Live 9 on a Mac
Post by: Padawan on June 17, 2014, 09:36:46 am
You're welcome! Let me know if you need further assistance.

Best,

J
Title: Re: Setting up Arturia Minilab to work with Ableton Live 9 on a Mac
Post by: 1 9 9 X on February 14, 2015, 07:15:51 pm
Hi guys!

I've been reading your posts here for some time now and I've been following every instruction... but basically my problem is that I cannot open the Analog Lab in Ableton and record a session..

I already made the Minilab appear under the Control Surfaces but whenever Analog Lab is open independently, I cannot find the Minilab under the MIDI From on a Midi Track..

Also under my Plug-Ins, there's no VST folder that contains the Analog Lab..

Please help me open my Analog Lab in Ableton so that I can record a piece from the Analog Lab using the Minilab.

Much thanks!!!
Title: Re: Setting up Arturia Minilab to work with Ableton Live 9 on a Mac
Post by: Jerome Arturia on March 04, 2015, 03:31:11 pm
1 9 9 X: What is your OS version?
Title: Re: Setting up Arturia Minilab to work with Ableton Live 9 on a Mac
Post by: ikigai on July 12, 2016, 06:49:22 pm
Hey Jerome
I too am having issues in ableton..... I can play my arturia fine and hear it all and record midi and the notes show on screen - but when I go to playback I can not hear anything.

Have checked plugins / output for playback etc. Can you plz send a step by step guide for getting playback audible....
Head phones into computer or arturia minilab; neither gives sound out.

(http://)
Cheers