Problem when trying to use S4 as a controller for Ableton (how to use midi mode etc)

DJ Software & Apps Traktor
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Problem when trying to use S4 as a controller for Ableton (how to use midi mode etc)

Hi guys!

I tried to search this forum for an answer but even though I found some answers, nothing helped me to figure out what is wrong.

So the deal is that I am DJing with S4 but I am also starting to do live gigs occasionally and it would only make sense that I could use the same controller for both so I don’t have to travel with that much gear.

The problem is that every one is talking about midi mode and how you can get there by pressing shift+browse. How do I know that it is on the midi mode? I mean that will some light lit up or is there any kind of visual feedback that tells me that “Your S4 is now in midi mode” because at least I can’t see anything like that.

So if somebody who knows how this stuff works could lighten me up with the setup process I would be really grateful. I mean from the scratch. I’ve used 2 days now for googling about it, trying different solutions and nothing seems to help. I am not new to all this midi stuff and this is the first time I have to just put my hands down and say “I need help from somebody” and as no one else on my friends have S4 there was no one I could turn to IRL.

I am pretty new with Mac computers (hard to buy one because had too much problems with PC thanks to the crappy drivers of S4) and I dunno if I have set up everything right in OSX. It shows my S4 in Audio MIDI Setup but I get no signal in or out (it should show those arrows flashing; at least the help file said so)

I get so far that Ableton Midi Sync recognizes the device but I get no kind of signal into Ableton. No midi in lights blinking.

Any help would be greatly appreciated as if I don’t get this to work by Monday I just have to give up and go buy some other controller because I have only week to finish this setup.

HALP, PLZ! :slight_smile:

2

the display on the S4 shows “on” when you are in midi mode..

3

Ok, so it is now in midi mode. It still doesn’t show any signal in Audio Midi Setup or in Ableton.

4

that’s weird. download midi monitor and see if it’s sending out midi.. check your settings in ableton as well..

5

When I launch Midi Monitor it says the following:
"MIDI Monitor could not make a connection to its MIDI driver. To fix the problem, quit all MIDI applications (including this one) and launch them again.
For now, MIDI Monitor will not be able to spy on the output of other MIDI applications, but all other features will still work."

And there is no applications on that use MIDI. I checked that several times.

6

never had that problem.. sorry, no can help.. try restarting the mac..
are other midi controllers working?

7

Another question about the midi mode in S4…

What needs to be done to turn it on? If I just plug it into my computer and press shift+browse it doesn’t give this “ON” on the display.

The only way I managed to get it to that mode is by opening Controller Editor (but then it does that automatically)

Is there a way to put it to midi mode “standalone”?

It shows up in Audio Midi Setup though and is “online”

Could there be something wrong with my S4?

8

are you powering your s4? display only shows something if the unit is powered.. i just tested it and it works like a charme.. connect the s4 via usb, power it and press shift+browse..

9

Yeah it has power supply and usb plugged but nothing happens when i press shift+browse (just to be sure, that browse means that button which u use to pre-listen tracks in browser?)

Only thing that is lit up is that USB-light

edit: any yes, it works without any problems with Traktor software

10

hehe.. you’re pressing the wrong button.. it’s the browse button underneath the loop recorder.. the one with the*magnifying glass

11

haha. one of those moments when you feel wonderful after realizing being stupid. Thanks a lot! <3

12

glad to help..

13

But this fixed only the turning midi mode on and off part…

Midi monitor is still not showing any kind of activity, nor ableton, nor Midi Audio Setup in OSX :disappointed:

14

midi monitor is working now? (program starts without error messages?)

restart midi monitor or make sure that under sources all midi sources are checked..

do you see the s4 in the ableton preferences?

15

Yeah it starts without error message and finds the midi port for S4 (port 0) but isn’t getting any midi data.

I can also see s4 in ableton preferences but it doesn’t send any midi data there either.

16

akward.. i get feedback from the s4 in midi mode.. in midi monitor and in ableton..

17

And only thing you have to do is enable midi mode?

Which OSX are you using?

18

yes. close ableton put the s4 in midi mode and restart.

i’m using 10.6.8

19

I have 10.7.2 so that might be the problem.

Anyways it seems like OS related thingy. Gotta try to google more about midi problems with OSX Lion

20

seems like it.. if you find a solution, post it here!