Articles on: Using Your Controller

Configuring Your Controller for YURS (The MIDI Chart Explained)

You've installed the YURS script, and now it's time for the final, crucial step: creating the link between your physical controller and the script in Ableton Live. This process has two main parts:


  1. Programming Your Controller (in Kilowhat): Telling your hardware what MIDI messages to send.
  2. Customizing the Script (the Map.py file): Telling the script what to listen for and how to behave.


This guide will walk you through both stages, from understanding the MIDI Chart to fine-tuning the script's code.




Part 1: Programming Your Controller in Kilowhat (The MIDI Chart)


The YURS script works like a translator with a strict rulebook. The Yaeltex Universal Remote Script (YURS) MIDI Chart is that rulebook, defining the exact MIDI message needed for every function.


➡️ View the Official YURS MIDI Chart Here


Your primary task is to use the Kilowhat software to program the buttons, knobs, and faders on your controller to send the messages specified in the chart.


How to Read the MIDI Chart


Each row in the chart is a function. The columns tell you exactly how to program it in Kilowhat:

  • Function: The human-friendly name of the control (e.g., "PLAY," "Track 1 Volume").
  • Type: The Message Type to select in Kilowhat (Note for buttons, CC for knobs/faders).
  • Ch: The MIDI Channel to use.
  • Param 1: The Note Number or CC Number.


Configuring in Kilowhat

  1. Consult the Chart: Find the function you want to program (e.g., "PLAY").
  2. Select the Component: In Kilowhat, click the button you want to use for "Play."
  3. Enter the Chart Values: In the configuration panel, enter the values from the chart exactly.
  4. Configure LED Feedback: For buttons in your clip launcher or toggles like Mute/Solo, set the Feedback Mode to "Value to Color." This is essential for YURS to send color information back to your controller.
  5. Repeat & Send: Continue for all functions, then click "Send" to write the configuration to your controller.




Part 2: Advanced Script Customization (The Map.py file)


This optional but highly recommended step allows you to optimize the script for your specific layout and personalize its visual feedback.


Step 1: Locate and Open the Map.py File

  1. Navigate back to the Yaeltex_Universal_Remote_Script folder you installed in Ableton's MIDI Remote Scripts directory.
  2. Inside, you will find a file named Map.py.
  3. Open this file with any basic text editor (like Notepad on Windows or TextEdit on macOS).


Step 2: Edit Key Parameters for Optimization

At the top of the file, you'll see several settings you can change. Here are the most important ones:


  • SESSION_BOX_SIZE = (width, height)
    • What it does: This is the most critical setting. It tells the script the size of your clip launcher grid.
    • How to change: If you have an 8x8 grid of buttons for clip launching, set this to session_box_size = (8, . This makes the script much more efficient as it won't be trying to send data for clips that don't exist on your controller.


  • VU_METER_ENABLED = False
    • What it does: Enables or disables sending VU meter data from Ableton back to your controller.
    • How to change: If your layout includes LEDs you want to use as VU meters, change this to True. Otherwise, leave it as False to save processing power.


  • NUM_SEND_CONTROLS = 4
    • What it does: Defines how many Send knobs (A, B, C, etc.) the script will manage for each track.
    • How to change: If you plan to control all 8 sends, change this to NUM_SEND_CONTROLS = 8.


Step 3: Customize Feedback Colors

Scroll to the bottom of the Map.py file, and you will find the class YAELTEXColors:. This section defines the colors for every state in the script. You can personalize them to your liking.


  • How it works: Each state (like PlayOn or ClipStopped) is assigned a MonoColor(value). The value is a number from 0-127 that corresponds to a color in Ableton's MIDI velocity color palette.


  • Example: Let's say you want to change the color of the "Play" button when it's active.
    1. Find the Transport class.
    2. Locate the line: PlayOn = MonoColor(49)
    3. The default color is 49 (a shade of green). To change it to a bright red, you could change the line to: PlayOn = MonoColor(118)
    4. You can do this for any state—change MuteOn, SoloOn, ClipRecording, etc., to match your personal color scheme.


Important: Save and Restart!
After making any changes to the Map.py file, you must SAVE the file and then CLOSE and RE-OPEN Ableton Live. The changes will not take effect until Ableton is restarted.




Final Check in Ableton Live

  1. Open Ableton's Preferences (Options > Preferences > Link / Tempo / MIDI).
  2. Ensure your Yaeltex controller is selected as the Control Surface, Input, and Output for the "Yaeltex Universal Remote Script" slot.
  3. Test your controller. Your functions should now be working, and if you changed any colors, your new personalized feedback should be active.

Updated on: 26/06/2025

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