Akai Lpk25 Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

The Akai Lpk25 is a versatile midi controller and when used alongside Ableton Live, it's an incredible tool filled with potential. This midi controller is equipped with plenty of features that make it the perfect companion to Ableton Live.

This tutorial will explain all you need to know on using the Akai Lpk25 with Ableton Live. This includes connecting, setting up and midi mapping the Lpk25.

Article Contents

1. Does the Akai Lpk25 work with Ableton Live?
2. Does the Akai Lpk25 come with ableton Live included?
3. How to connect the Lpk25 to ableton
4. How to midi map the Akai Lpk25 in Ableton Live
5. The Limitations of midi mapping the Lpk25
   1. Saving your Lpk25 Midi Mappings is cumbersome
   2. Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one
   3. Limited Ableton parameter options to map to
   4. A great solution to these problems
6. Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Akai Lpk25 work with Ableton Live?

In summary, the Akai Lpk25 is usable with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live does not come with a MIDI remote script, the Lpk25 can still be mapped to many of the software's functions.

Any edition of Ableton Live, from Intro to Suite, will be compatible with any device that transmits MIDI data. This works for all editions of Live, for instance 9, 10, and 11. As the Lpk25 is a MIDI enabled device, it will work with Ableton Live.

Creating your own midi mappings in Ableton is simple, and gives you the ability to control a variety of Ableton Live's components with your Lpk25.

Does the Akai Lpk25 come with ableton Live included?

The Lpk25 doesn’t come with a copy of Ableton Live Lite, so this would need to be purchased separately.

There are three main versions of Ableton Live: Intro, Standard and Suite. Even though Intro and Standard are both effective, Suite offers a lot more, including 70GB of library sounds, compared to Standard's 10GB.

If you prefer to have all the Audio and MIDI effects, we recommend getting Ableton Live Suite, because it comes with much more of them than the Standard edition.

How to connect the Lpk25 to ableton

Linking and configuring the Akai Lpk25 to Ableton Live is not too complicated, and once you have them paired together you can control the software's settings from your midi controller.

1. Connect the Lpk25 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Lpk25 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 Lpk25 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Lpk25 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 Lpk25 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

Set up of the Lpk25 with Ableton Live is now complete.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After linking up the Akai Lpk25 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 Lpk25, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Lpk25.
5. Moving the physical control on your Lpk25 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 Lpk25

Ableton's midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly customize your Lpk25, though it does have a few limitations to be mindful of...

Saving your Lpk25 Midi Mappings is cumbersome

Be aware that when saving your mappings, they will be stored with the Ableton session. Therefore, starting a new session will require you to re-map your controls.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

A one-to-one MIDI mapping indicates that each control on your Lpk25 is capable of controlling only one parameter in Ableton Live.

Limited Ableton parameter options to map to

When using Ableton's internal midi mapping mode, unfortunately now all options are available, controls such as selected track and selected device control aren't currently possible. View a full list of Ableton midi mapping options here.

We have a great solution to these problems

If you're looking to get the most out of your Lpk25, 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 Lpk25's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Lpk25,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Lpk25, 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 Lpk25 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Lpk25 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Lpk25 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Lpk25.
4. Make sure that the Lpk25 is selected as the input device in Ableton's MIDI Preferences.