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

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Problem when trying to use S4 as a controller for Ableton (how to use midi mode etc)
Posted on: 10.12.2011 by Loriann Abreo
Hi guys!

I tried to search this community 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!
Loriann Abreo
11.12.2011
Originally Posted by BURST!
Will do, I've emailed NI about it. Just waiting for them to get back to me.
I will call the tech support if this hasn't been solved by Monday. Just so pissed that I started messing with this after 5pm on Friday...

I gotta finish my new live setup by next Thursday and can't even get started because of this annoying problem :/
Loriann Abreo
11.12.2011
Originally Posted by BURST!
I've been having the same problems, not getting any midi feedback from my s4 in midi mode. I'm also using OSX 10.7.2.

I'm having issues with both 2.1.1 and 2.1.2 Traktor. I'll test an older version tomorrow, but my midi mode was working during my gig last week (not sure why), but has refused to work any other time.
If you find any kind of solution, write it to this topic as well

I am looking for the solution constantly all around and will inform my findings as well
Loriann Abreo
10.12.2011
Originally Posted by weltraumpapst
seems like it.. if you find a solution, post it here!
Yeah I will
robin loo
10.12.2011
Originally Posted by anttir
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
seems like it.. if you find a solution, post it here!
Loriann Abreo
10.12.2011
Originally Posted by weltraumpapst
yes. close ableton put the s4 in midi mode and restart.

i'm using 10.6.8
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
Loriann Abreo
10.12.2011
Originally Posted by weltraumpapst
akward.. i get feedback from the s4 in midi mode.. in midi monitor and in ableton..
And only thing you have to do is enable midi mode?

Which OSX are you using?
Loriann Abreo
10.12.2011
Originally Posted by weltraumpapst
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?
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.
robin loo
10.12.2011
Originally Posted by anttir
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
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?
Loriann Abreo
10.12.2011
Originally Posted by weltraumpapst
glad to help..
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
Loriann Abreo
10.12.2011
Originally Posted by weltraumpapst
hehe.. you're pressing the wrong button.. it's the browse button underneath the loop recorder.. the one with the*magnifying glass
haha. one of those moments when you feel wonderful after realizing being stupid. Thanks a lot! <3
Natasha Garity
11.12.2011
I had no sucess with using the Audio Midi Setup method that you posted. But after using the 'rescan midi' function in Midi Monitor my midi mode is working again. Don't know why.

There must be an issue with the driver or something.
Loriann Abreo
10.12.2011
Ok. Weirdest thing happened. I enabled Session from Network in Audio Midi Setup and now it seems to work.

Why? Cannot say
Loriann Abreo
11.12.2011
Originally Posted by BURST!
Will do, I've emailed NI about it. Just waiting for them to get back to me.
I will call the tech support if this hasn't been solved by Monday. Just so pissed that I started messing with this after 5pm on Friday...

I gotta finish my new live setup by next Thursday and can't even get started because of this annoying problem :/
Natasha Garity
11.12.2011
Will do, I've emailed NI about it. Just waiting for them to get back to me.
Loriann Abreo
11.12.2011
Originally Posted by BURST!
I've been having the same problems, not getting any midi feedback from my s4 in midi mode. I'm also using OSX 10.7.2.

I'm having issues with both 2.1.1 and 2.1.2 Traktor. I'll test an older version tomorrow, but my midi mode was working during my gig last week (not sure why), but has refused to work any other time.
If you find any kind of solution, write it to this topic as well

I am looking for the solution constantly all around and will inform my findings as well
Natasha Garity
11.12.2011
I've been having the same problems, not getting any midi feedback from my s4 in midi mode. I'm also using OSX 10.7.2.

I'm having issues with both 2.1.1 and 2.1.2 Traktor. I'll test an older version tomorrow, but my midi mode was working during my gig last week (not sure why), but has refused to work any other time.
Loriann Abreo
10.12.2011
Ok so Now I tried with Novation X-Station and everything works ok instantly. So the problem is with S4 or its drivers

S4 sends midi data to Controller Editor but nowhere else.
Loriann Abreo
10.12.2011
Originally Posted by weltraumpapst
seems like it.. if you find a solution, post it here!
Yeah I will
robin loo
10.12.2011
Originally Posted by anttir
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
seems like it.. if you find a solution, post it here!
Loriann Abreo
10.12.2011
Originally Posted by weltraumpapst
yes. close ableton put the s4 in midi mode and restart.

i'm using 10.6.8
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
robin loo
10.12.2011
yes. close ableton put the s4 in midi mode and restart.

i'm using 10.6.8
Loriann Abreo
10.12.2011
Originally Posted by weltraumpapst
akward.. i get feedback from the s4 in midi mode.. in midi monitor and in ableton..
And only thing you have to do is enable midi mode?

Which OSX are you using?
robin loo
10.12.2011
akward.. i get feedback from the s4 in midi mode.. in midi monitor and in ableton..
Loriann Abreo
10.12.2011
Originally Posted by weltraumpapst
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?
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.
robin loo
10.12.2011
Originally Posted by anttir
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
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?
Loriann Abreo
10.12.2011
Originally Posted by weltraumpapst
glad to help..
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
robin loo
10.12.2011
glad to help..
Loriann Abreo
10.12.2011
Originally Posted by weltraumpapst
hehe.. you're pressing the wrong button.. it's the browse button underneath the loop recorder.. the one with the*magnifying glass
haha. one of those moments when you feel wonderful after realizing being stupid. Thanks a lot! <3
robin loo
10.12.2011
hehe.. you're pressing the wrong button.. it's the browse button underneath the loop recorder.. the one with the*magnifying glass
Loriann Abreo
10.12.2011
Originally Posted by weltraumpapst
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..
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
robin loo
10.12.2011
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..
Loriann Abreo
10.12.2011
Originally Posted by weltraumpapst
never had that problem.. sorry, no can help.. try restarting the mac..
are other midi controllers working?
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?
robin loo
10.12.2011
Originally Posted by anttir
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.
never had that problem.. sorry, no can help.. try restarting the mac..
are other midi controllers working?
Loriann Abreo
10.12.2011
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.
robin loo
10.12.2011
Originally Posted by anttir
Ok, so it is now in midi mode. It still doesn't show any signal in Audio Midi Setup or in Ableton.
that's weird. download midi monitor and see if it's sending out midi.. check your settings in ableton as well..
Loriann Abreo
10.12.2011
Originally Posted by weltraumpapst
the display on the S4 shows "on" when you are in midi mode..
Ok, so it is now in midi mode. It still doesn't show any signal in Audio Midi Setup or in Ableton.
robin loo
10.12.2011
the display on the S4 shows "on" when you are in midi mode..

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