# Neotrellis M4 Live Launcher

## Overview

https://youtu.be/vxbJsyspO8M

This project turns your **NeoTrellis M4** into a **control surface** for [Ableton Live](https://www.ableton.com/en/) similar to functionality found on a [Novation Launchpad](https://novationmusic.com/launch/launchpad) or [Ableton Push](https://www.ableton.com/en/push/) device. It allows you to start and stop 32 individual audio or MIDI clips with the touch of a button and each clip is colored according to values sent from Live's UI.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/068/150/medium800/adabox_synced_session_3-still2.jpg?1545864454)

## What you'll need
### Adafruit NeoTrellis M4 with Enclosure and Buttons Kit Pack

[Adafruit NeoTrellis M4 with Enclosure and Buttons Kit Pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4020)
So you've got a cool/witty name for your band, a Soundcloud account, [a 3D-printed Daft Punk helmet](https://learn.adafruit.com/3d-printed-daft-punk-helmet-with-bluetooth)... so what could be missing from your road to stardom? The **NeoTrellis M4 Kit...**

Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4020)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4020/guides)
![Demo Video of Hands pressing buttons on lit up NeoTrellis M4.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/4020-00.jpg)

### USB cable - USB A to Micro-B

[USB cable - USB A to Micro-B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
This here is your standard A to micro-B USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your Metro, Feather, Raspberry Pi or other dev-board or microcontroller

Approximately 3 feet / 1 meter long

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/592/guides)
![USB cable - USB A to Micro-B - 3 foot long](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/592-01.jpg)

## Ableton Live & Max for Live
![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/068/042/medium800/adabox_Screen_Shot_2018-12-23_at_6.39.43_PM.png?1545608413)

Danger: 

Of course, you'll also need an installation of **Ableton Live**.  The **Live Launcher plugin device** is written in MaxMSP, so you'll need either **Live 10 Suite** (which includes **Max for Live** ) or  **Ableton Live 10** + the [Max for Live add-on](https://www.ableton.com/en/live/max-for-live/). The Live Launcher is likely compatible with **Live 9** , but has **not been tested** at the time of this writing.

# Neotrellis M4 Live Launcher

## NeoTrellis Setup

The Live Launcher consists of two pieces of software:

- Neotrellis **firmware** written in the **Arduino IDE**
- **Live Launcher** device plugin for **Ableton Live**

[Download & install](https://learn.adafruit.com/ladyadas-learn-arduino-lesson-number-0/download-software) the **Arduino IDE**  if you haven't already and add support for Adafruit boards via [instructions here](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-arduino-ide-setup/arduino-1-dot-6-x-ide).

## Assemble the NeoTrellis M4

Follow the [instructions in this guide](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-neotrellis-m4/assembly) to assemble and test your NeoTrellis M4. Once you've got it up and running, you can move on to programming.

## Install the Adafruit NeoTrellis M4 library
![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/068/137/medium800/adabox_neotrellis-library.jpg?1545857941)

Open Arduino, go to **Sketch -\> Include Library -\> Manage Libraries …** and type **NeoTrellis** in the search field of the window that appears. Install the **Adafruit NeoTrellis M4 Library** that appears in the search results.

## Create the Live Launcher sketch

**Create a new sketch** and delete the default template code which appears within it. **Copy the code** below,  **paste** it into that new sketch, and save it as **Live\_Launcher**  (or whatever name you see fit).

https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_Learning_System_Guides/blob/main/NeoTrellis/NeoTrellis_M4_Live_Launcher/NeoTrellis_M4_Live_Launcher.ino

## Upload the code
![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/068/139/medium800/adabox_upload-code2.jpg?1545858281)

Now, just a few more steps in the **Arduino IDE** and you'll have the **NeoTrellis** ready for **communication** with **Ableton Live** :

1. **Reset** your NeoTrellis by **double-clicking** the recessed  **reset button** on the back. NeoTrellis is ready to be programmed when the **rear LED** turns **green**.
2. Go to **Tools -\> Board** and select **Adafruit Trellis M4 (SAMD51)** from the list.
3. Go to **Tools -\> Port** and select the port which name contains **Adafruit Trellis M4** in the name.
4. Upload the sketch by clicking **Sketch -\> Upload**.

# Neotrellis M4 Live Launcher

## Live Setup

Download the Live Launcher device for Ableton Live by clicking the button below:

[Neotrellis_M4.amxd.zip](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/068/049/original/Neotrellis_M4.amxd.zip?1545620804)
 **Unzip** the downloaded file and store the resulting **Neotrellis\_M4.amxd** file somewhere safe.

## Open a Live set
![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/068/141/medium800/adabox_live_session_view.jpg?1545858529)

In  **Ableton Live,**  create a **new Live set**  and **add some audio and/or MIDI clips**  to the **first four slots** of **tracks 1-8** in **Session view - ** or use an **existing set** that has a **variety of clips** loaded into Session view.

## Add the Live Launcher
![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/068/048/medium800/adabox_plugin_on_track2.jpg?1545615003)

Locate the **Neotrellis\_M4.amxd** file in the folder you saved it,  **drag** it into the **Live window** , and drop it onto **any track -** just be sure to **only add one instance** of the plugin device **.**

## Connect Live to NeoTrellis

Ensure your NeoTrellis is connected to your computer via **USB** and click the **rescan** button in the  **NeoTrellis M4 Live device** to update the list of **available serial devices**.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/068/047/medium800/adabox_plugin_on_track-pulldown2.jpg?1545614991)

Click the **serial port** pulldown menu to see a list of **available serial devices** , and choose the **serial port** that corresponds to your **NeoTrellis M4**.

As seen above, my NeoTrellis appeared as **usbmodemMID1**. If your NeoTrellis does not appear, click the **rescan** button and trying again.

Click the  **sync\_colors** button to **send clip color data** over to your **NeoTrellis**. Once you see your NeoTrellis **light up** with colors corresponding to **tracks 1 - 8** in Live, you're ready to roll.

# Neotrellis M4 Live Launcher

## Use it

The Live Launcher allows you to control the top four clip slots of tracks 1 through 8. Usage is simple:

- Press a Neotrellis **button** to **toggle the playing state** of a corresponding Live clip
- Neotrellis **buttons** will **flash** to indicate when a **clip is playing**
- Click the **sync\_colors** button after **moving or recoloring clips** in Live

Keep in mind that a clip may take some **time** to **start playing** after being **triggered** - this is determined by each clip's **launch settings & tempo** in **Live**.

Here's a quick demo, showing basic control with a simple track layout:

https://youtu.be/vxbJsyspO8M

Enjoy making music.


## Featured Products

### Adafruit NeoTrellis M4 with Enclosure and Buttons Kit Pack

[Adafruit NeoTrellis M4 with Enclosure and Buttons Kit Pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4020)
So you've got a cool/witty name for your band, a Soundcloud account, [a 3D-printed Daft Punk helmet](https://learn.adafruit.com/3d-printed-daft-punk-helmet-with-bluetooth)... so what could be missing from your road to stardom? The **NeoTrellis M4 Kit...**

Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4020)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4020/guides)
### Adafruit NeoTrellis M4 Mainboard - featuring SAMD51

[Adafruit NeoTrellis M4 Mainboard - featuring SAMD51](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3938)
We got a big ol' blender and tossed in an ItsyBitsy M4, two NeoTrellis boards and an electret mic amp - turned on the 'mix' button and out came the NeoTrellis M4 - a super fun dev board for anyone who likes to squish buttons, see pretty lights and maybe make a tune or...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3938)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3938/guides)
### Silicone Elastomer 4x4 Button Keypad - for 3mm LEDs

[Silicone Elastomer 4x4 Button Keypad - for 3mm LEDs](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1611)
So squishy! These silicone elastomer keypads are just waiting for your fingers to press them. Go ahead, squish all you like! (They're durable and easy to clean, just wipe with mild soap and water) These are just like the light up rubber buttons you find on stuff like appliances and tools,...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1611)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1611/guides)
### NeoTrellis M4 Acrylic Enclosure Kit

[NeoTrellis M4 Acrylic Enclosure Kit](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3963)
So you've got your [Adafruit NeoTrellis M4](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3938), a cool/witty name for your band, a Soundcloud account, [a 3D-printed Daft Punk helmet](https://learn.adafruit.com/3d-printed-daft-punk-helmet-with-bluetooth)... so what...

Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3963)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3963/guides)
### USB cable - USB A to Micro-B

[USB cable - USB A to Micro-B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
This here is your standard A to micro-B USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your Metro, Feather, Raspberry Pi or other dev-board or microcontroller

Approximately 3 feet / 1 meter long

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/592/guides)

## Related Guides

- [Adafruit NeoTrellis M4 Express](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-neotrellis-m4.md)
- [Trellis M4 Audio Filter Visualizer](https://learn.adafruit.com/trellis-m4-audio-visualizer-and-filter.md)
- [NeoTrellis MIDI Feedback Controller](https://learn.adafruit.com/neotrellis-midi-feedback-controller.md)
- [Trellis M4 Synth Design Tool](https://learn.adafruit.com/synthesizer-design-tool.md)
- [Mu Keyboard Shortcut Cheat Sheets](https://learn.adafruit.com/mu-keyboard-shortcut-cheat-sheets.md)
- [NeoTrellis Sound Board](https://learn.adafruit.com/neotrellis-soundboard.md)
- [NeoTrellis M4 Memory Game](https://learn.adafruit.com/neotrellis-m4-memory-game.md)
- [Trellis M4 Beat Sequencers](https://learn.adafruit.com/trellis-m4-beat-sequencer.md)
- [FlappyBird Game for NeoTrellis M4 in CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-neotrellism4-flappybird.md)
- [Make It Talk](https://learn.adafruit.com/make-it-talk.md)
- [Christmas Soundboard with NeoTrellis M4](https://learn.adafruit.com/xmas-sound-board.md)
- [NeoTrellis M4 Animated Dice Roller](https://learn.adafruit.com/neotrellis-dice.md)
- [Star Trek Soundboard with NeoTrellis](https://learn.adafruit.com/star-trek-sound-board-with-neotrellism4.md)
- [NeoTrellis M4 Arpeggiator Synth](https://learn.adafruit.com/neotrellis-arpeggiator-synth.md)
- [Launch Deck Trellis M4](https://learn.adafruit.com/launch-deck-trellis-m4.md)