In this tutorial you will learn everything you need to know about using the Nektar Pacer with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Pacer. Article Contents

Linking and configuring the Nektar Pacer to Ableton Live is not too complicated, and once you have them paired together you can control the software's settings from your midi foot controller. Press Stomp Switch [C] to navigate the different configuration options for the selected assignment type.Among the many things that MIDI can control for an instrument are parameters such as a note’s pitch, length, velocity, and on/off state. This helps when performing live because you can actually see which pedal you’re hitting in the dark. The construction is also very durable. You don’t feel like you’re going to break it when you hit it with your foot. The 5-character display will say ‘Type’. Press the Encoder Button and the 3-character display will show the name of the current assignment type. Turn the data encoder to scroll through the different functions for the MIDI Config. You will find a table of the assignment types in the user guide. A red LED display with two rows shows the active preset name/number, mode and selected parameter and value. The data encoder with push switching right next to it makes parameter selection and programming swift and easy. Each foot switch has its own RGB activity LED and function LEDs, which are also part of a preset: So if you'd like a switch to use a different color or LED, you can easily customize that! Connectivity

Turn the Data Encoder to select the Preset*, to which you would like to save, then press the Encoder button or press [Preset] to cancel the save operation. The cons are somewhat limited here but worth noting. One of the SoftStep 2’s advantages can be a disadvantage in that its small size may be a bit limiting for those with larger feet or footwear. It can be easy to hit another key if you’re not careful and have larger feet. Also, when you dial up a preset, up to 16 different MIDI messages can be fired out so that you could, for example, use a preset on Pacer to switch between different song set-ups in a live rig. On top of that, you could even set the unit up so that it plays different notes from the different switches, like some kind of large ‘footboard’, if you like! However, for the purposes of this review I’m focusing on Pacer’s DAW control – and this is where it gets good! While still in the Control Edit menu, turn the Data Encoder to select ‘SETUP’, then press the next Stomp Switch you would like to configure, then follow steps 3-6 again. When you are done, press the [Preset] Stomp Switch to exit the Control Edit menu.

Putting command of your DAW and MIDI devices firmly at your feet

As with the the instructions for assigning program change messages, we will start with a template preset. If you are only trying to control on/off type parameters, then you can move on to assign the next control but if you need to define the values for the on/off states or min/max values, you will need to do the following after step 5 in the instructions above. MIDI output can be used as a USB MIDI interface, for direct MIDI connection or both at the same time.

MIDI output can be used as a USB MIDI interface, for DIRECT midi connection or both at the same time All forms of Ableton Live, Intro, Lite, Standard and Suite, can work with practically any instrument that sends out MIDI data, and it will be compatible with all versions of Live such as 9, 10 and 11. Due to this, the Pacer will be usable with Ableton Live. Tech 21’s MIDI Mouse pedal is the perfect MIDI foot controller for those that do not need complex programs and sequences to achieve their goals.

CONTROL CENTER

The 3-character display will now show the current CC value for the selected Stomp Switch and the active step. Up to 16 MIDI, messages or relay switches can be recalled instantly. The rotary encoder can also be programmed to control CC or select presets and programs. The instructions above assume that you are using a device which only has 128 patches. If your target device has more patches, you may be able to access patches 129 and above by using Bank change messages. When Pacer’s Stomp Switches are assigned to ‘PRGBNK’, Bank messages are sent first and then the Program value. You can choose the Bank you would like to load by changing the Bank MSB and LSB values. In most cases, you will only need to change the MSB. An entire article can be written about Keith McMillen’s career and accomplishments. He’s pioneered many innovative instruments over his impressive career and one of the more recent ones is the SoftStep 2 MIDI foot controller.

The ability to colour code the pedals is great for knowing what everything does and what preset you are in. I would say it is a huge improvement over the standard foot controller everyone is using (you know the one).

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT

Note: MIDI assignments are stored on a per-project basis in Live. If you would like these settings to be retained when you create a new Live set, you will need to save the project as the Default set or as a Template set. You will find those options in the ‘File’ menu.