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Setting Up Ableton Live for KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series MK2

The following article explains how to set up Ableton Live for the use of KOMPLETE KONTROL with the KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series MK2 Keyboards. This will enable you to use advanced host integration features like transport control, track selection, and automatic track focus.

Note: If you want to set up Ableton Live for another KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard, please click the corresponding link:

Depending on which version of Live you use, the setup steps may differ. Follow the steps for your version of Live below:

Ableton Live 10

This feature requires Live 10.1 and KOMPLETE KONTROL 2.1.2.

Note: if using Ableton Live 10.0.x, please follow the setup steps outlined for Ableton Live 9.

  1. Connect your S-Series MK2 keyboard to your computer.
  2. Start Live and go to Preferences > Link MIDI.
  3. Assign a free Control Surface slot to Komplete Kontrol SMK2 by selecting it from the drop-down list.
  4. Select Komplete Kontrol DAW -1 under Input and Output.
    AbletonMIDI.png

To find out how to use the host integration features, please download the 'KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series MK2 DAW Shortcut Sheet' that is linked below this article.

Ableton Live 9

The features described here require at least Live 9.2.3. and KOMPLETE KONTROL 1.9.0.

You will be guided through the following steps: 

  1. Installing the MIDI Remote Script
  2. Installing the KOMPLETE KONTROL Instrument Racks
  3. Configuring Live for the use of KOMPLETE KONTROL with the KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series Keyboards
  4. Loading KOMPLETE KONTROL in Live

Installing the MIDI Remote Script

In this section, you will learn how to copy the KOMPLETE KONTROL MIDI Remote Script to Live's MIDI Remote Scripts directory. This will allow Live to recognize KOMPLETE KONTROL as a control surface.

Mac

  1. Ensure that Live is not running.
  2. Navigate to the following folder: Macintosh HD > Library > Application Support > Native Instruments > Host Integration > Ableton Live
  3. Copy the "_NativeInstruments" folder, as well as the "Komplete_Kontrol_Mk2" folder.
    Copy_Host_Integration_Files.png
  4. Open your Applications folder and right-click the Live application symbol. In the context menu, click on Show Package Contents.
    ShowPackage.png
  5. In the Live package, navigate to Contents > App-Resources > MIDI Remote Scripts.
  6. Paste the folders you have copied into the "MIDI Remote Scripts" folder:
    PasteKKMK2_folder.png

Windows

  1. Ensure that Live is not running.
  2. Navigate to the following folder: C: > Program Files > Common Files > Native Instruments > Host Integration > Ableton Live.
  3. Copy the "_NativeInstruments" folder, as well as the "Komplete_Kontrol_Mk2" folder.
    Copy_both_folders_Windows.png
  4. Go to the MIDI Remote Scripts folder in Live's installation directory. By default, it is located here: C: > ProgramData > Ableton > Live 9 > Resources > MIDI Remote Scripts.

    Note: The Program Data folder may be hidden. This article explains how to display hidden files and folders in Windows.

  5. Paste the folders you have copied into the "MIDI Remote Scripts" folder.
    Paste_Host_Integration_Scripts_Windows.png

Installing the KOMPLETE KONTROL Instrument Racks

In this step, you will learn how to copy the required KOMPLETE KONTROL Instrument Rack files to your Live User Library. This way Live will recognize the KOMPLETE KONTROL Instrument Racks and add them to the browser.

Mac

  1. Navigate to the following folder: Macintosh HD > Library > Application Support > Native Instruments > Host Integration > Ableton Live
  2. Copy the "Komplete Kontrol VST.adg" and "Komplete Kontrol AU.adg" files to your clipboard by selecting both of them, right-clicking on the selection and choosing Copy 2 Items.
    Copy_ADG_Files_Mac.png
  3. Paste the .adg files to your Live Instrument Rack folder. By default this folder is located here: Macintosh HD > Users > *Username* > Music > Ableton > User Library > Presets > Instruments > Instrument Rack
    Paste_Instrument_Rack_Files.png

Windows

  1. Navigate to the following folder: C: > Program Files > Common Files > Native Instruments > Host Integration > Ableton Live
  2. Copy the "Komplete Kontrol VST.adg" file to your clipboard by right-clicking it and choosing Copy.
    Copy_Instrument_Rack_File.png
  3. Paste the .adg file to the Instrument Rack folder in your Live User Library. By default this folder is located here: C: > Users > *Username* > Documents > Ableton > User Library > Presets > Instruments > Instrument Rack
    Paste_Instrument_Rack_File.png

Configuring Live for the use of KOMPLETE KONTROL with the KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series Keyboards

Once the MIDI remote script and the instrument rack files are installed in the correct location, you need to activate Komplete Kontrol as control surface inLive's preferences.

Important note for Mac users: Since KOMPLETE KONTROL is only available in 64-bit on Mac, you must have installed the 64-bit version of Ableton Live 9 in order to have KOMPLETE KONTROL show up in the Browser. You can check which exact version of Live 9 is installed on your system by choosing Ableton > About Live from the menu bar. If the 32-bit version is installed, you must download the installer for the 64-bit version from Ableton's website.

  1. Start Live.
  2. Open Live's Preferences and go to the Link MIDI Tab.
  3. Assign a free Control Surface slot to Komplete Kontrol MK2 by selecting it from the drop-down list.
    Select_KK_as_contol_surface.png
  4. Select Komplete Kontrol DAW - 1 under Input and Output.
    Control_Surface_Input_Output_MK1.png
  5. Go to the File / Folder tab of Live's Preferences and make sure the Use Audio Units and Use VST Plug-in System Folders options are activated. If these options were not activated, press the Rescan button after having set them to On. If you skip this step, you will not be able to load KOMPLETE KONTROL correctly in Live. Read this article for more information on plug-in administration in Live.

    Note: on Windows systems, only the VST format is available as plug-in source, so you will not have the possibility of activating Audio Units here.

Loading KOMPLETE KONTROL in Live

To load KOMPLETE KONTROL in Live, drag the KOMPLETE KONTROL Instrument Rack from the browser to an empty MIDI Track. The KOMPLETE KONTROL Instrument Racks are called:

  • Komplete Kontrol VST.adg (VST plug-in format)
  • Komplete Kontrol AU.adg (Audio Units plug-in format, Mac only)

You will find them here in the Live browser: Instruments > Instrument Rack. Make sure not to use the VST version instead of the Instruments Rack version of KOMPLETE KONTROL, if not you might experience connection issues as described in this article.

Important Note for Mac users: Don't use both the AU and VST versions of KOMPLETE KONTROL in the same Live project. You have to use the same plug-in format across all instances in your project. Otherwise automatic track focus will not work correctly.

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