Korg Ms 20 Mini Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

The Korg Ms 20 Mini is a highly versatile midi controller and is a powerful instrument when used in combination with Ableton Live. This midi enabled synthesizer 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 Korg Ms 20 Mini with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Ms 20 Mini.

Article Contents

Does the Korg Ms 20 Mini work with Ableton Live?
Does the Korg Ms 20 Mini come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Ms 20 Mini to ableton
How to midi map the Korg Ms 20 Mini in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Ms 20 Mini
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Korg Ms 20 Mini work with Ableton Live?

To sum it up, the Korg Ms 20 Mini is fully compatible with Ableton Live.

Despite the absence of a built-in MIDI remote script within Ableton Live, users can still use the Ms 20 Mini to midi map to numerous functions in the software.

All versions of Ableton Live, Intro, Lite, standard and suite can be used in conjunction with pretty much any device which sends MIDI data, and it will work with all versions of Live such as 9, 10 and 11. As the Ms 20 Mini is a MIDI enabled device it will be fully compatible with Ableton.

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 Ms 20 Mini.

Does the Korg Ms 20 Mini come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite isn't included with the Ms 20 Mini, so this must be bought separately.

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.

If you're looking to make sure you have the full range of Audio and MIDI effects, we suggest you go with Ableton Live Suite, as it has far more than the Standard edition.

How to connect the Ms 20 Mini to ableton

Connecting and setting up the Korg Ms 20 Mini with Ableton Live is a relatively simple process, once you have the 2 linked together you will be able to control parameters of the software from your midi enabled synthesizer.

1. Connect the Ms 20 Mini to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Ms 20 Mini 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 Ms 20 Mini from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Ms 20 Mini 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 Ms 20 Mini (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Ms 20 Mini 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 Korg Ms 20 Mini 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 Ms 20 Mini, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Ms 20 Mini.
5. Moving the physical control on your Ms 20 Mini 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 Ms 20 Mini

With Ableton's midi mapping system, you can swiftly map your Ms 20 Mini, however, you must be aware of a few restrictions...

Saving your Ms 20 Mini 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 means that each control on your Ms 20 Mini can only be assigned to a single Ableton Live parameter.

Limited Ableton parameter options to map to

Unfortunately, Ableton's internal midi mapping mode does not include every control options, options such as selected track control and selected device control unfortunately aren't possible. You can view a comprehensive list of all Ableton midi mapping options here.

We have a great solution to these problems

If you're looking to get the most out of your Ms 20 Mini, 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 Ms 20 Mini's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Ms 20 Mini,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Ms 20 Mini, 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 Ms 20 Mini in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Ms 20 Mini is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Ms 20 Mini is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Ms 20 Mini.
4. Make sure that the Ms 20 Mini is selected as the input device in Ableton's MIDI Preferences.