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Trigger Utility Enables Full Keyboard and MIDI Remapping in Ableton Live on macOS
If you’ve ever found yourself fumbling for a clunky key combo in the middle of a session, the new macOS tool Trigger is designed to cut that frustration in half. Developed by the UK‑based studio All Good Folks, Trigger gives Ableton Live users the freedom to reassign any keyboard shortcut or MIDI note/CC to any Live command, even those that the DAW never lets you map natively.
Built by Benji Gordon—a producer and composer who writes sync, television and film music for All Good Folks—Trigger was born out of a simple irritation. "I built Trigger because I was tired of reaching for awkward key combos in the middle of a session," Gordon explained. "Now any key or pad can do exactly what I want, and Live finally works the way I think." The result is a lightweight app that sits quietly in the menu bar and activates only when Live is the front‑most application.
Trigger is available now for macOS at an introductory price of $9 USD, sold as a one‑time purchase with no subscription required. Rekkerd readers can apply the coupon code REKKERD50 to receive a 50 % discount, reducing the price to $4.50 USD for the first 50 customers.
Key features of Trigger include:
- Remapping of any keyboard shortcut in Ableton Live 11 and 12. - Mapping of any MIDI note or CC to any Live command, including commands that have no native MIDI assignment. - Chaining of multiple commands onto a single trigger, with the option to fire them simultaneously or in sequence. - Activation only while Live is the frontmost application, so the rest of the Mac remains unaffected; the app sits quietly in the menu bar. - A built‑in searchable shortcut reference for Live 11 and 12. - Multiple profiles with iCloud sync, plus preset import and export. - Conflict detection that warns when a remap overrides a native Live shortcut.
The application works by monitoring keyboard and MIDI input while Live is in focus and translating the configured triggers into the corresponding Live commands. Because it does not interfere with other applications, users can keep working on the rest of their Mac without interruption. The built‑in reference assists users in locating default shortcuts for Live 11 and 12, making it easier to decide which commands to remap.
Ableton Live’s native MIDI mapping lets users control parameters such as volume faders or effect knobs, but it never offers a way to trigger menu commands or keyboard shortcuts. Trigger fills this gap by providing a dedicated layer that translates arbitrary key or MIDI input into any Live command, including those that are otherwise inaccessible via MIDI.
For live performers, the ability to chain commands is a game‑changer. A single pad can be configured to start a clip, launch a scene, and open a specific effect rack in one motion, with the choice of firing actions simultaneously or in a precise sequence. This flexibility lets artists design workflows that match their performance style.
All Good Folks has positioned Trigger as a tool for both studio and live contexts. The company’s website lists the utility’s features and provides a download link, while the pricing page details the introductory offer and the limited‑time discount for Rekkerd readers. The app’s one‑time purchase model contrasts with subscription‑based software, appealing to users who prefer a permanent license.
In short, Trigger delivers a comprehensive solution for Ableton Live users who need full control over keyboard shortcuts and MIDI commands. By enabling remapping, chaining, and profile management, the utility extends Live’s functionality without altering the core application, and its introductory price makes it an accessible option for producers and performers looking to optimize their workflow on macOS.
Built by Benji Gordon—a producer and composer who writes sync, television and film music for All Good Folks—Trigger was born out of a simple irritation. "I built Trigger because I was tired of reaching for awkward key combos in the middle of a session," Gordon explained. "Now any key or pad can do exactly what I want, and Live finally works the way I think." The result is a lightweight app that sits quietly in the menu bar and activates only when Live is the front‑most application.
Trigger is available now for macOS at an introductory price of $9 USD, sold as a one‑time purchase with no subscription required. Rekkerd readers can apply the coupon code REKKERD50 to receive a 50 % discount, reducing the price to $4.50 USD for the first 50 customers.
Key features of Trigger include:
- Remapping of any keyboard shortcut in Ableton Live 11 and 12. - Mapping of any MIDI note or CC to any Live command, including commands that have no native MIDI assignment. - Chaining of multiple commands onto a single trigger, with the option to fire them simultaneously or in sequence. - Activation only while Live is the frontmost application, so the rest of the Mac remains unaffected; the app sits quietly in the menu bar. - A built‑in searchable shortcut reference for Live 11 and 12. - Multiple profiles with iCloud sync, plus preset import and export. - Conflict detection that warns when a remap overrides a native Live shortcut.
The application works by monitoring keyboard and MIDI input while Live is in focus and translating the configured triggers into the corresponding Live commands. Because it does not interfere with other applications, users can keep working on the rest of their Mac without interruption. The built‑in reference assists users in locating default shortcuts for Live 11 and 12, making it easier to decide which commands to remap.
Ableton Live’s native MIDI mapping lets users control parameters such as volume faders or effect knobs, but it never offers a way to trigger menu commands or keyboard shortcuts. Trigger fills this gap by providing a dedicated layer that translates arbitrary key or MIDI input into any Live command, including those that are otherwise inaccessible via MIDI.
For live performers, the ability to chain commands is a game‑changer. A single pad can be configured to start a clip, launch a scene, and open a specific effect rack in one motion, with the choice of firing actions simultaneously or in a precise sequence. This flexibility lets artists design workflows that match their performance style.
All Good Folks has positioned Trigger as a tool for both studio and live contexts. The company’s website lists the utility’s features and provides a download link, while the pricing page details the introductory offer and the limited‑time discount for Rekkerd readers. The app’s one‑time purchase model contrasts with subscription‑based software, appealing to users who prefer a permanent license.
In short, Trigger delivers a comprehensive solution for Ableton Live users who need full control over keyboard shortcuts and MIDI commands. By enabling remapping, chaining, and profile management, the utility extends Live’s functionality without altering the core application, and its introductory price makes it an accessible option for producers and performers looking to optimize their workflow on macOS.