Icon Ikeyboard 3x Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

The Ikeyboard 3x from Icon is an incredibly versatile midi keyboard 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 tutorial will show you the whole process of how to operate the Icon Ikeyboard 3x with Ableton Live. It will cover the steps of connecting, setting up and midi mapping the Ikeyboard 3x.

Article Contents

Does the Icon Ikeyboard 3x work with Ableton Live?
Does the Icon Ikeyboard 3x come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Ikeyboard 3x to ableton
How to midi map the Icon Ikeyboard 3x in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Ikeyboard 3x
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Icon Ikeyboard 3x work with Ableton Live?

In summary, the Icon Ikeyboard 3x 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 Ikeyboard 3x to a variety of functions.

All forms of Ableton Live, Intro, Lite, Standard and Suite, can work with practically any instrument that sends out MIDI data, and it will be compatible with all versions of Live such as 9, 10 and 11. Due to this, the Ikeyboard 3x will be usable with Ableton Live.

You can create your own Ableton midi mappings with ease, giving you the power to control many of the features of Ableton Live with your Ikeyboard 3x.

Does the Icon Ikeyboard 3x come with ableton Live included?

The Ikeyboard 3x 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.

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 Ikeyboard 3x to ableton

Connecting the Icon Ikeyboard 3x 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 keyboard.

1. Connect the Ikeyboard 3x to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Ikeyboard 3x 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 Ikeyboard 3x from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Ikeyboard 3x 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 Ikeyboard 3x (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Ikeyboard 3x 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 Icon Ikeyboard 3x 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 Ikeyboard 3x, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Ikeyboard 3x.
5. Moving the physical control on your Ikeyboard 3x 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 Ikeyboard 3x

Ableton's midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly customize your Ikeyboard 3x, though it does have a few limitations to be mindful of...

Saving your Ikeyboard 3x 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 Ikeyboard 3x 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 Ikeyboard 3x, 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 Ikeyboard 3x's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Ikeyboard 3x,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Ikeyboard 3x, 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 Ikeyboard 3x in Ableton Live?

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