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Use a second keyboard to control Ableton Live Apps
If you use Ableton Live on a Mac, but don't have the money for a MIDI controller for some functions, consider mapping a second keyboard in Caps Lock mode to additional functions -- even a fold-up keyboard will work!

The Macs I've used have always allowed one keyboard to have Caps Lock on and the other to have it off, meaning one keyboard will still type lowercase and one will type in CAPS.

Ableton Live allows you to map both capital letters and lowercase, so you can map your computer keyboard (or laptop keyboard) to some functions (like triggering loops, sounds, songs, or EQ functions), and map the second keyboard, with CAPS LOCK on, to other functions (more loops, sound effects, etc.)
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Use a second keyboard to control Ableton Live | 3 comments | Create New Account
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Use a second keyboard to control Ableton Live
Authored by: Stormchild on Aug 26, '08 01:20:43PM

Damn. That's a really good idea...but I already use Caps Lock to switch between Roman ("English") and Japanese input.

But I was just thinking yesterday that I'd like to have an extra numeric-keypad-sized mini keyboard full of extra function keys that could be used for system-wide or contextual shortcut keys. One thing I've considered before is doing the opposite of what you've described here: Setting up my MIDI control surfaces for use in any application. Maybe someday I'll get around to building something that does that.



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Use a second keyboard to control Ableton Live
Authored by: amoeba on Aug 26, '08 02:36:28PM

stormchild - using MidiPipe and something like QuickKeys or even automator you can accomplish just that. your idea has given me some good ideas too!



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Use a second keyboard to control Ableton Live
Authored by: osxpounder on Sep 02, '08 09:46:11AM

Very clever hint, I think. I'll have to try that.

I've got a 2nd keyboard plugged in right now. Cool! I see that the Caps Lock key's light comes on on either keyboard. That's part of what makes this hint so cool, in my view: when you're busy with performing, the little extra visual cue of that Caps Lock key's light helps, I'm sure.

I used to think a Caps Lock light was silly, but over the years I've come to appreciate it. I use ergonomic keyboards at work and home, and one lacks the light. I find I miss that and wish all my boards had a Caps Lock light.

In fact, I wish all my boards had illuminated or luminous key symbols, like my MacBook Pro does for only a few minutes at a time. It's wonderful when the keyboard is lit, but it only stays lit briefly before power-saving, or even the light from its own screen, forces it to dim again.

Here's another good use for a Caps Lock key: if you're using a program for talking via mic, as in, for example, a game, or TeamSpeak, or Second Life, then it can be cool to use a key that lights up as your "toggle to talk" key. The light reminds you when it's engaged and your mic is live. Not so great for Second Life, actually, since you then are typing all caps, meaning you have to toggle it off to type... but then again, you shouldn't be leaving your mic open when you're not talking.



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