Akai Apc 40 Mk2 Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

The Apc 40 Mk2 from Akai is an incredibly versatile midi controller and is a powerful tool when used in combination with Ableton Live. The Akai MPK Mini has a wealth of features that make it perfect for use with Ableton Live.

In this tutorial you will learn everything you need to know about using the Akai Apc 40 Mk2 with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Apc 40 Mk2.

Article Contents

Does the Akai Apc 40 Mk2 work with Ableton Live?
Does the Akai Apc 40 Mk2 come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Apc 40 Mk2 to ableton
How to midi map the Akai Apc 40 Mk2 in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Apc 40 Mk2
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Akai Apc 40 Mk2 work with Ableton Live?

To put it briefly, the Akai Apc 40 Mk2 is compatible with Ableton Live.

The Apc 40 Mk2 is equipped with a standard midi remote script in Ableton Live, so you just need to connect it (see instructions below) to get it working.

All versions of Ableton Live, from Intro to Suite, are able to be utilized in collaboration with any equipment that sends MIDI data. This is applicable to all releases of Live, such as 9, 10, and 11. As the Apc 40 Mk2 is a MIDI enabled tool, it will be completely compatible with Ableton Live.

You can easily create midi mappings for Ableton, allowing you to access many functions of Ableton Live with your Apc 40 Mk2.

Does the Akai Apc 40 Mk2 come with ableton Live included?

The Apc 40 Mk2 offers a complimentary copy of Ableton Live Lite, but its features are limited in comparison to Ableton Live Standard or Suite.

There are three main versions of Ableton Live: Intro, Standard and Suite. Whilst Intro and Standard are highly functional, Suite includes an additional 70GB library of sounds, in comparison to Standard's 10GB.

For those who want to guarantee they have access to the largest selection of Audio and MIDI effects, we suggest investing in Ableton Live Suite, as it has a much larger selection than the Standard edition.

How to connect the Apc 40 Mk2 to ableton

Connecting the Akai Apc 40 Mk2 with Ableton Live is pretty simple, and when the two are linked you'll be able to adjust the software's parameters from your midi controller.

1. Connect the Apc 40 Mk2 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Apc 40 Mk2 and your computer.
2. Launch Ableton Live and open the MIDI preferences.
Double click the Ableton Live icon to launch the software. Then, in the top menu of Ableton, go to the Preferences menu by opening the ‘Live’ menu and clicking ‘Preferences’.
3. Select the Apc 40 Mk2 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Apc 40 Mk2 are checked.
4. Ensure that the ‘Track’, ‘Remote’ and ‘Sync’ boxes are all checked.
In the ‘MIDI’ section of this tab, make sure the ‘Track’ and ‘Remote’ boxes are checked for both the Input and Output of the Apc 40 Mk2 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

Set up of the Apc 40 Mk2 with Ableton Live is now complete.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After linking up the Akai Apc 40 Mk2 to Ableton Live using the steps provided, you can now assign the physical buttons, pads, keys etc on the device to specific functions within Ableton Live via MIDI mapping as follows:

1. Select the MIDI Map Mode button in the top right corner of the Live window. The button should turn orange, indicating that the MIDI Map Mode is enabled.
2. Select the parameter you wish to control in Ableton by clicking it with the cursor, the parameter will become highlighted.
3. Move a control on the Apc 40 Mk2, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Apc 40 Mk2.
5. Moving the physical control on your Apc 40 Mk2 will now move the position of the corresponding parameter in Ableton.
6. Repeat steps 2 - 4 for any other parameters you wish to map.
7. When you’re finished mapping, press the MIDI Map Mode button again to disable it.

The Limitations of midi mapping the Apc 40 Mk2

Ableton's midi mapping system is a great solution for quickly mapping your Apc 40 Mk2, however, you must take into account some potential limitations...

Saving your Apc 40 Mk2 Midi Mappings is cumbersome

Saving your mappings can be a problem as mappings are saved with an Ableton session, so if you start a new session you will need to re-map your controls again.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

A one-to-one MIDI mapping indicates that each control on your Apc 40 Mk2 is capable of controlling only one parameter in Ableton Live.

Limited Ableton parameter options to map to

Unfortunately, Ableton's internal midi mapping mode does not provide every control option, so options such as controlling the selected track or selected device aren't possible. A full list of Ableton midi mapping options can be found here.

We have a great solution to these problems

If you're looking to get the most out of your Apc 40 Mk2, our Ableton Midi Script Creator tool 'Control Surface Studio' is exactly what you need!
With it, you'll be able to:
- save and re-use your Apc 40 Mk2's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Apc 40 Mk2,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Apc 40 Mk2, than Live's internal midi mapping mode allows.

Learn more about Control Surface Studio and see how it can help you by clicking here!

FAQ / Troubleshooting

Why can't I hear my Apc 40 Mk2 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Apc 40 Mk2 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Apc 40 Mk2 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Apc 40 Mk2.
4. Make sure that the Apc 40 Mk2 is selected as the input device in Ableton's MIDI Preferences.