Akai Mpc Live Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

The Mpc Live 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.

This guide will provide you with all the knowledge necessary to utilize the Akai Mpc Live with Ableton Live, which includes how to connect, configure and midi map the Mpc Live.

Article Contents

1. Does the Akai Mpc Live work with Ableton Live?
2. Does the Akai Mpc Live come with ableton Live included?
3. How to connect the Mpc Live to ableton
4. How to midi map the Akai Mpc Live in Ableton Live
5. The Limitations of midi mapping the Mpc Live
   1. Saving your Mpc Live 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 Mpc Live work with Ableton Live?

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

Despite the lack of a default MIDI remote script existing within Ableton Live, it is still possible to midi map the Mpc Live to a variety of 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 Mpc Live is a MIDI enabled device, it will work with Ableton Live.

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

Does the Akai Mpc Live come with ableton Live included?

The Mpc Live does not have Ableton Live Lite, it must be purchased independently.

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 seeking the full range of Audio and MIDI effects, we highly suggest purchasing Ableton Live Suite, as it offers significantly more than the Standard edition.

How to connect the Mpc Live to ableton

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

The Mpc Live has been configured and is now ready for use with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

Once you have connected the Akai Mpc Live to Ableton Live by following the steps above, you can now MIDI map the physical buttons, pads, keys etc on the device to the corresponding functions in Ableton Live by doing the following:

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 Mpc Live, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Mpc Live.
5. Moving the physical control on your Mpc Live 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 Mpc Live

For the fastest way to map your Mpc Live, you can't go wrong with Ableton's midi mapping system, but make sure you take into account these limitations...

Saving your Mpc Live Midi Mappings is cumbersome

Mappings are saved along with your Ableton session. Therefore, if a new session is created, you must re-map all of your controls.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

Through a one-to-one MIDI mapping, each control on your Mpc Live can only be assigned to 1 parameter in Ableton Live.

Limited Ableton parameter options to map to

Ableton’s internal midi mapping mode is unfortunately missing many control options. Options such as selected track and selected device control aren’t possible using this method. You can see a list of all available Ableton midi mapping options here.

We have a great solution to these problems

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

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