ResGuide
Skym setup

Set up Skym in four steps.

It takes about 10 minutes, and you only do it once. After that, Skym connects to Ableton whenever you open it.

  1. Check compatibility

    Let’s make sure Skym works with your setup.

    What OS do you use to make music?
    What DAW do you use?
  2. Get the free Starter Pack

    Presets to get you started plus the Skym control surface script, which lets Skym take hold of Ableton’s macros. We’ll email it to you.

    Running a quick spam check…

    We’ll also send the occasional Skym update. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy

  3. Install Skym

    On your iPhone or iPad.

    SkymExpressive MIDI Controller
    Download on the App Store
  4. Connect to Ableton

    Watch the walkthrough, or follow the written steps below it.

    Written instructions

    4A Install the remote script

    The custom remote script is what lets Skym map automatically to the first 4 macros of any Ableton device.

    1. Open Ableton Live. In the Browser on the left, scroll down to User Library (under Places).
    2. Create a folder in your User Library called "Remote Scripts". Make sure it is spelled correctly.
    3. From the SkymStarterPack.zip we emailed you, open the "Ableton Remote Script" folder and drag the "Skym" folder into your "Remote Scripts" folder.
    Skym folder inside Remote Scripts in the Ableton User Library

    4B Install the Starter Pack

    Double click "SkymStarterPack.alp" to install the presets.

    Pick a destination for the pack. It can’t go in your User Library or a Project folder. I like to put it in a folder called "Skym Packs" inside my Ableton folder.

    Choosing a Skym Packs folder for the Starter PackStarter Pack installing in Ableton

    4C Enable your device in Audio MIDI Setup

    Open Skym on your iPhone or iPad and connect it to your Mac with a USB cable. Select "Trust this Device" if asked. Then open the Audio MIDI Setup app on your Mac and enable the device.

    Your Mac might say an update is needed to connect. In my experience you can ignore this and Skym will still work.

    iOS device enabled in Audio MIDI Setup

    4D Choose Skym in Ableton’s MIDI settings

    1. Quit and reopen Ableton so it loads the new script.
    2. Go to Live → Settings → Link, Tempo & MIDI.
    3. Under Control Surface, select Skym, and set its input and output to your iPhone or iPad.
    4. For Skym’s input port, check Track. For the output port, check Track and Sync.
    Ableton MIDI settings with Skym selected as a control surface

    4E Make some sound

    Arm the first track in the project and tap Skym. You should hear the Majestic Harp preset.

    Right click the "SkymMajesticHarp" device and choose Lock to Control Surface (Skym), so touching Skym only changes the device you meant to control.

    Lock to Control Surface menu item

    Now try effects. Select the "Gated Time Demo" track…

    Gated Time Demo track

    …then right click the "Skym Gated Delay" device and lock it to Control Surface 1 (Skym).

    Skym Gated Delay device

    Press the sine wave button in Skym so it stops sending notes while you control effects.

    Sine wave note-mode button in Skym

    Press play in Ableton. Skym now controls the Gated Delay: watch the gate knob flip up and down with your touch.

Unlock your look

Perform in wild color. In Skym, open Settings and choose "Look" to browse unlockable graphics.

List of unlockable Skym looks

Stuck?

Tell us which step you’re on (like “4C”) and we’ll help you get connected.

Contact support