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

The M Audio Axiom Pro 61 is a versatile midi keyboard and when used alongside Ableton Live, it's an incredible tool filled with potential. This midi keyboard is equipped with plenty of features that make it the perfect companion to Ableton Live.

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

Article Contents

1. Does the M Audio Axiom Pro 61 work with Ableton Live?
2. Does the M Audio Axiom Pro 61 come with ableton Live included?
3. How to connect the Axiom Pro 61 to ableton
4. How to midi map the M Audio Axiom Pro 61 in Ableton Live
5. The Limitations of midi mapping the Axiom Pro 61
   1. Saving your Axiom Pro 61 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 M Audio Axiom Pro 61 work with Ableton Live?

In summary, the M Audio Axiom Pro 61 is usable with Ableton Live.

Out of the box, the Axiom Pro 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 editions of Ableton Live, from Intro to Suite, can be used with any device that sends out MIDI data. This is the case for all versions of Live, 9, 10, or 11. Seeing as the Axiom Pro 61 is a MIDI capable device, it is fully suited to function with Ableton Live.

Making your own midi mappings is a breeze with Ableton Live, which gives you the ability to control a lot of components of the software with your Axiom Pro 61.

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

With the Axiom Pro 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.

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.

For those who want to guarantee they have access to the largest selection of Audio and MIDI effects, we suggest investing in Ableton Live Suite, as it has a much larger selection than the Standard edition.

How to connect the Axiom Pro 61 to ableton

Linking the M Audio Axiom Pro 61 to Ableton Live is a simple process, and when you have them connected you can control the software's parameters from your midi keyboard.

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

The Axiom Pro 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 Pro 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 Pro 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 Pro 61.
5. Moving the physical control on your Axiom Pro 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 Pro 61

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

Saving your Axiom Pro 61 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 Axiom Pro 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 Pro 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 Pro 61's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Axiom Pro 61,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Axiom Pro 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 Pro 61 in Ableton Live?

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