How to Assign Plugin Controls to MIDI in Ableton Live

Oct 11, 2021

This article describes how to assign Waves plugin controls to your MIDI keyboard or controller. Note that Ableton Live supports Waves plugins V12 and upwards in VST3 only, with MIDI Learn disabled on the plugin GUI. Waves plugins (V12 and upwards) in VST2.4 may continue to work in Ableton Live, but are no longer officially supported.

Important Notes:

Click the ‘About’ box in the plugin to show if a plugin is loaded in a VST3 or VST (2.4) format.
If you encounter any issues with a VST (2.4) plugin in a current or older session—or would like to ‘future-proof’ a session—first load a VST3 plugin instance alongside your existing VST (2.4) instance. Use the WaveSystem toolbar to copy a preset from the VST (2.4), then paste that preset into the open VST3.

Reveal the Device Parameters by clicking the following arrow in the plugin:

If Device Parameters is not visible, click Configure, then the parameters arrow.

Click to turn on MIDI Map Mode at the top right of the screen, or use the appropriate shortcut below:
1. Mac: Cmd+M
2. Windows: Ctrl+M

Click to select the control to adjust, then move the knob/fader/key you wish to assign on your MIDI Keyboard or controller.

Repeat steps 1 to 4 as necessary for other controls.

Click to exit the MIDI Map mode at the top right of the screen, or use the appropriate shortcut below:
1. Mac: Cmd+M
2. Windows: Ctrl+M

Your plugin controls are now mapped to your MIDI keyboard or controller.

If none of the above worked, please contact Technical Support.