M Audio Ctrl49 Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

The M Audio Ctrl49 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 Ctrl49 with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Ctrl49.

Article Contents

Does the M Audio Ctrl49 work with Ableton Live?
Does the M Audio Ctrl49 come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Ctrl49 to ableton
How to midi map the M Audio Ctrl49 in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Ctrl49
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the M Audio Ctrl49 work with Ableton Live?

In a nutshell, the M Audio Ctrl49 is able to work fully with Ableton Live.

Ableton live provides a default midi remote script for the Ctrl49, meaning it will work with Ableton Live as soon as you connect it (see the section below on how to connect to ableton).

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 Ctrl49 is a MIDI capable device, it is fully suited to function with Ableton Live.

You can create your own custom Ableton midi mappings easily, which allows you to control much of the functionality in Ableton Live with your Ctrl49.

Does the M Audio Ctrl49 come with ableton Live included?

Yes the Ctrl49 comes with a free copy of Ableton Live Lite. Although it has unlimited usage, the available features are a lot less than what is available in the full versions of Ableton Live Standard or Suite.

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 Ctrl49 to ableton

Connecting and setting up the M Audio Ctrl49 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 keyboard.

1. Connect the Ctrl49 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Ctrl49 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 Ctrl49 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Ctrl49 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 Ctrl49 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Ctrl49 will now be setup and ready to use with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After successfully connecting the M Audio Ctrl49 to Ableton live following the steps above, you can now MIDI map the physical knobs, pads, keys etc on the device to functionality within 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 Ctrl49, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Ctrl49.
5. Moving the physical control on your Ctrl49 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 Ctrl49

Ableton’s midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly map your Ctrl49, there are however, some limitations to be aware of...

Saving your Ctrl49 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

A one-to-one MIDI mapping means that each button or knob on your Ctrl49 can only be assigned to control a single 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 Ctrl49, 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 Ctrl49's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Ctrl49,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Ctrl49, 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 Ctrl49 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Ctrl49 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Ctrl49 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Ctrl49.
4. Make sure that the Ctrl49 is selected as the input device in Ableton's MIDI Preferences.