Akai Midimix Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map
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The Akai Midimix is a highly versatile midi controller and is a powerful instrument when used in combination with Ableton Live.
This midi controller has a great selection of features that make it perfect for your Ableton Live setup.
In this tutorial you will learn everything you need to know about using the Akai Midimix with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Midimix.
Article Contents
- Does the Akai Midimix work with Ableton Live?
- Does the Akai Midimix come with ableton Live included?
- How to connect the Midimix to ableton
- How to midi map the Akai Midimix in Ableton Live
- The Limitations of midi mapping the Midimix
- Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?
Does the Akai Midimix work with Ableton Live?
In a nutshell, the Akai Midimix is able to work fully with Ableton Live.
The Midimix comes with a midi remote script to ensure it functions with Ableton Live, so just plug it in (see the instructions below to see how) and you're good to go.
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 Midimix is a MIDI enabled tool, it will be completely compatible with Ableton Live.
You can create your own custom Ableton midi mappings easily, which allows you to control much of the functionality in Ableton Live with your Midimix.
Does the Akai Midimix come with ableton Live included?
You get a complimentary version of Ableton Live Lite with the Midimix, but its worth noting that the features of Ableton Live Lite are not as full as those of Ableton Live Standard or Suite.
Ableton Live has 3 main versions, Intro, Standard and Suite.
Whilst Intro and Standard are very capable pieces of software, the Suite version packs more in, such as over 70GB of library sounds compared to Standard’s 10GB. Ableton Live Suite includes many more Audio and MIDI effects compared to Standard, so if you want to ensure you have everything, we recommend going with Ableton Live Suite.
How to connect the Midimix to ableton
Linking and configuring the Akai Midimix 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 Midimix to your computer via USB. First, connect the USB cable to both the Midimix 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 Midimix from the list of available devices. Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Midimix 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 Midimix (Sync can also be optionally checked).
The Midimix is all set and can now be used with Ableton Live.
How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live
Upon making a successful connection between the Akai Midimix and Ableton Live using the instructions above, you can now use MIDI mapping to allocate the physical knobs, pads, keys etc on the device to their respective functions in Ableton Live like this:
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 Midimix, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Midimix.
5. Moving the physical control on your Midimix 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 Midimix
Ableton's midi mapping system is a great solution for quickly mapping your Midimix, however, you must take into account some potential limitations...
Saving your Midimix 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 means that each control on your Midimix can only be assigned to a single Ableton Live parameter.
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 Midimix, 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 Midimix's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions, - map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Midimix, - access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Midimix, 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 Midimix in Ableton Live?
There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Midimix is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Midimix is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Midimix.
4. Make sure that the Midimix is selected as the input device in Ableton's MIDI Preferences.