M Audio Keystation 61 Mk3 Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

The Keystation 61 Mk3 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.

This guide will provide you with all the knowledge necessary to utilize the M Audio Keystation 61 Mk3 with Ableton Live, which includes how to connect, configure and midi map the Keystation 61 Mk3.

Article Contents

Does the M Audio Keystation 61 Mk3 work with Ableton Live?
Does the M Audio Keystation 61 Mk3 come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Keystation 61 Mk3 to ableton
How to midi map the M Audio Keystation 61 Mk3 in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Keystation 61 Mk3
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the M Audio Keystation 61 Mk3 work with Ableton Live?

To put it briefly, the M Audio Keystation 61 Mk3 is compatible with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live doesn’t provide a default MIDI remote script within its software for it, the Keystation 61 Mk3 can still be midi mapped to many functions within the software.

Any edition of Ableton Live, from Intro to Suite, will be compatible with any device that transmits MIDI data. This works for all editions of Live, for instance 9, 10, and 11. As the Keystation 61 Mk3 is a MIDI enabled device, it will work 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 Keystation 61 Mk3.

Does the M Audio Keystation 61 Mk3 come with ableton Live included?

The Keystation 61 Mk3 offers a complimentary copy of Ableton Live Lite, but its features are limited in comparison to 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 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 Keystation 61 Mk3 to ableton

Linking the M Audio Keystation 61 Mk3 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 Keystation 61 Mk3 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Keystation 61 Mk3 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 Keystation 61 Mk3 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Keystation 61 Mk3 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 Keystation 61 Mk3 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

Set up of the Keystation 61 Mk3 with Ableton Live is now complete.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After linking up the M Audio Keystation 61 Mk3 to Ableton Live using the steps provided, you can now assign the physical buttons, pads, keys etc on the device to specific functions within Ableton Live via MIDI mapping as follows:

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 Keystation 61 Mk3, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Keystation 61 Mk3.
5. Moving the physical control on your Keystation 61 Mk3 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 Keystation 61 Mk3

Ableton's midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly customize your Keystation 61 Mk3, though it does have a few limitations to be mindful of...

Saving your Keystation 61 Mk3 Midi Mappings is cumbersome

Be aware that when saving your mappings, they will be stored with the Ableton session. Therefore, starting a new session will require you to re-map your controls.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

With a one-to-one MIDI mapping, each control on your Keystation 61 Mk3 can only be assigned to a single parameter in Ableton Live.

Limited Ableton parameter options to map to

Unfortunately, Ableton's internal midi mapping mode does not provide every control option, so options such as controlling the selected track or selected device aren't possible. A full list of Ableton midi mapping options can be found here.

We have a great solution to these problems

If you're looking to get the most out of your Keystation 61 Mk3, 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 Keystation 61 Mk3's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Keystation 61 Mk3,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Keystation 61 Mk3, 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 Keystation 61 Mk3 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Keystation 61 Mk3 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Keystation 61 Mk3 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Keystation 61 Mk3.
4. Make sure that the Keystation 61 Mk3 is selected as the input device in Ableton's MIDI Preferences.