Need testers for Ableton LIve MIDI Control Surface python script

[DonovanBartish]

Hi there,

I have written a python script that turns pad controllers like the MiniLAB into a full blown control surface for Ableton Live. I originally wrote this script for the MiniLAB, but I have tested it with other pad controllers, including the BeatStep.

I need testers to make sure the script and the workflow are on the right track. Feedback would be all I require from anyone testing. This effort has taken me over a year to do, since I regularly work 60 hour weeks. I am lucky to get the time to even work on music...

I haven't written any documentation yet, so the gist is this: the 4th pad from the left is used as a shift key. When the shift key is pressed, the other pads change the mode of how the buttons and encoders work. One row of encoders isn't touched, to leave the user some to freely assign in Ableton.
One row of pads is used for the transport function at this time.
Since I don't have documentation, this section of code kind of clarifies the modes:

The stop button acts as a transport shift when held down...





This attempts to explain the modes... Press and release shift to see what mode you're in from the bottom of the Ableton screen.
Volumes, Pans, and Sends tracks are in banks of 8 tracks that can be moved, as shown by the box around the tracks. In clip mode, the box changes only to a single clip highlight that can be navigated up, down, left, and right.













To Install the scripts, unzip the folder, and put the entire folder in the following directory:

Mac OS: /Applications/Ableton Live 9 Standard.app/Contents/App-Resources/MIDI Remote Scripts/
Windows: C:\Program Files\Ableton\Live x.x.x\Resources\MIDI Remote Scripts
Note for Mac: Right Click /Applications/Ableton Live 9 Standard.app , and choose Open Contents.

ALSO: Inside the folder, are preset templates for both the MiniLAB and the BeatStep, to load using Arturia's MIDI Control Center. I recommend loading the preset to anything not controlling Analog Lab, or another important preset you are using. Backup your current templates first!

In Ableton Preferences > MIDI, setup like this:



Now, you'll have a box around your tracks to show what tracks will have focus for Volumes, Pans, Sends...



Clips Mode only gives a single clip box to move around, to control only the single clip:



Finally, you can see what Mode you're in at any time, by simply pressing the Shift Pad, and looking at the status bar on the bottom of the screen:





NOTE: THIS SCRIPT IS NOT TO BE POSTED ANYWHERE ON THE INTERNET, THIS IS GIVEN ONLY TO ARTURIA FORUM MEMBERS DURING TESTING!!!
PLEASE RESPECT THIS AS I HAVE TAKEN A LOT OF TIME TO DEVELOP THIS

Anyway, the only other thing I ask for now is to please give me feedback on this script, and what could be changed, any problems, etc...

The download link has now been attached to this post, without the need for an external hosting site, the link should be below.

Cheers,

  Donovan

[DonovanBartish]

UPDATE: I fixed the script for Ableton 9.2, it should work with any version of Ableton Live 9.xxx at this point.

Please let me know what you think!

Thanks,

  Donovan

[DonovanBartish]

Download link now in the original post, with pictures, and a better explanation... enjoy!

Donovan

[DonovanBartish]

Just realized that the wrong damned MIDI Control Center template was included for the BeatStep, the download has been updated.

[ben arturia]

 
Great Job !


I notice this little bug...
This path is wrong :
Windows: C:\Program Files\Ableton\Live x.x.x\Resources\MIDI Remote Scripts
should be
Windows: C:\ProgramData\Ableton\Live x.x.x(latestVersion)\Resources\MIDI Remote Scripts

It seems to work great with a minilab.
You should maybe explain better how to handle the *.minilab file with the MidiControlCenter.
Personnaly i put your memory config file on MiniLab memory 3 in order not to erase default memory 1 & 2.

To do so :
Open your MidiControlCenter with your MiniLab plugged.
At the bottom left of the main panel click on Import and select "Live 8 Knobs 4th Pad NOTES.minilab" file.
A new template should appear in the list.
Select it and select a memory in the upper panel (Memory 3)
Then click on store to

Recall this memory pressing SHIFT+PAD3

Then enjoy Donovan script !

I'll take time to test the BeatStep script later.
Thanks again for your work.
BTW Your script works great with Live 9.2 too.

[sp3k]

Hi! Was going to sell my beatstep and then I found this! And I actually also own a minilab.

I had some problems. The minilab works, but it has lots of bugs. The beatstep doesn't work, probably the midi configuration file for the device is the wrong one? I can try to list all the bugs on the minilab. I don't really know what I'm talking about, but if you guys have it working fine, maybe my problem is from using windows? I'm on ableton 9.21.

I've worked with phyton before, and kind of know my way around midi, but don't really know how this ableton script thing works. So I would be glad to help out, and even code some stuff.

[DonovanBartish]

I have received messages that the download link for the script wasn't working...

I have reuploaded the script with my latest changes to a new hosting site that hopefully won't go down for traffic like my dropbox. That surprised me, since I haven't had dropbox do a bandwidth restriction since my android development days. Maybe my DJ mixes were taking off too, who knows, hehehe.

Anyways, I have updated the link, the rest of the instructions are still valid, and I still use this script for Ableton 9.6.

Please give me your feedback, dammit!

Cheers,

Donovan

[DavidK]

Hi bro,

I'm very interesting in this project.. I download the script & install but i don't find the Live 8 Knobs 4th Pad NOTES.minilab file or .beatstep

Thanks 4 you great Work

[DonovanBartish]

@DavidK:

Link redone, I can't believe I put the very first version in, I tested the link, it should be OK now. The link is now hosted directly from this forum.
I'm really utterly surprised that this didn't catch on more... or it did, but no one talks about it.

This thread has gotten a hell of a lot of views... I did put a hell of a lot of work into this script, and eventually it will help a lot of Ableton users with basic MIDI controllers everywhere.

Please, I'm still asking for feedback

[Mikro93]

Hi there,

Just wanted to let you know that I bought the Minilab mostly because of your script.

Time is an issue for me as well, but when I get some (time), I will happily provide some notes and remarks.

Also, I do happen to modify some Remote scripts, so I might be able to correct some things on my own, maybe.

I'm just downloading the script, I'll keep you in touch

Cheers,
Mikro

[DonovanBartish]

Mikro93, thanks for letting me know, that's awesome! I hope you enjoy this controller as much as I do. I've learned from experience to protect the encoders as much as possible, they are great until you let them get smashed inside a backpack. I really wish there was a decksaver for this controller, as it's my favorite portable controller to use.

Let me know if you have any questions regarding the script.

  Donovan

[stereotyp]

I īve testet it with the arturia beatsstep. For me it worked great! Brilliant skript! Thanks! AFter the first testings I have no idea for changes. Perhaps I get a few when working longer with it. For now I can say with this skript you have access on every needed parameter in ableton with this little controller, perhaps for the mobile application.

Greetings

Daniel

[genmce]

Just downloaded, want to test it out.
I know what you mean about working hard on something and not getting much feedback.
I wrote genmce a while ago and it just did not stir much attention.
I'll try to give feedback as best I can, have you updated this before I start, email me @yahoo

[Btek]

Donovan,Thank you,
     I appreciate all your kindness in sharing this script.
And, also all the hard work you put into this. I am kind of
shocked, you haven't received more feedback here.
Cheers!
btek