M Audio Axiom 61 Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

The Axiom 61 from M Audio 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.

In this tutorial you will learn everything you need to know about using the M Audio Axiom 61 with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Axiom 61.

Article Contents

Does the M Audio Axiom 61 work with Ableton Live?
Does the M Audio Axiom 61 come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Axiom 61 to ableton
How to midi map the M Audio Axiom 61 in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Axiom 61
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the M Audio Axiom 61 work with Ableton Live?

To put it briefly, the M Audio Axiom 61 is compatible with Ableton Live.

Out of the box, the Axiom 61 has a midi remote script that is compatible with Ableton Live, so once you connect it (check the section below for more info) it is ready to go.

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 Axiom 61 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 Axiom 61.

Does the M Audio Axiom 61 come with ableton Live included?

With the Axiom 61 you get a free copy of Ableton Live Lite, but its features are not nearly as comprehensive as those of Ableton Live Standard or Suite.

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 Axiom 61 to ableton

Linking and configuring the M Audio Axiom 61 to Ableton Live is not too complicated, and once you have them paired together you can control the software's settings from your midi keyboard.

1. Connect the Axiom 61 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Axiom 61 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 Axiom 61 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Axiom 61 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 Axiom 61 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Axiom 61 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 M Audio Axiom 61 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 Axiom 61, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Axiom 61.
5. Moving the physical control on your Axiom 61 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 Axiom 61

For the fastest way to map your Axiom 61, you can't go wrong with Ableton's midi mapping system, but make sure you take into account these limitations...

Saving your Axiom 61 Midi Mappings is cumbersome

It is important to note that your mappings are stored with the Ableton session when saving. Consequently, when you create a new session, you will have to remap your controls again.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

Through a one-to-one MIDI mapping, each control on your Axiom 61 can only be assigned to 1 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 Axiom 61, 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 Axiom 61's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Axiom 61,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Axiom 61, 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 Axiom 61 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Axiom 61 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Axiom 61 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Axiom 61.
4. Make sure that the Axiom 61 is selected as the input device in Ableton's MIDI Preferences.