Ik Multimedia IRig Keys I/O Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

Ik Multimedia's IRig Keys I/O is an exceptionally flexible midi keyboard and is a powerful tool when is used with Ableton Live. This midi keyboard has a plethora of features, making it perfect for Ableton Live.

This tutorial will explain all you need to know on using the Ik Multimedia IRig Keys I/O with Ableton Live. This includes connecting, setting up and midi mapping the IRig Keys I/O.

Article Contents

Does the Ik Multimedia IRig Keys I/O work with Ableton Live?
Does the Ik Multimedia IRig Keys I/O come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the IRig Keys I/O to ableton
How to midi map the Ik Multimedia IRig Keys I/O in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the IRig Keys I/O
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Ik Multimedia IRig Keys I/O work with Ableton Live?

To put it briefly, the Ik Multimedia IRig Keys I/O is compatible with Ableton Live.

The IRig Keys I/O is pre-programmed with a midi remote script in Ableton Live, so all you have to do is connect it (refer to the information below on how to do that).

All versions of Ableton Live, from Intro to Suite, are able to be utilized in collaboration with any equipment that sends MIDI data. This is applicable to all releases of Live, such as 9, 10, and 11. As the IRig Keys I/O is a MIDI enabled tool, it will be completely compatible with Ableton Live.

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 IRig Keys I/O.

Does the Ik Multimedia IRig Keys I/O come with ableton Live included?

The IRig Keys I/O includes a complimentary version of Ableton Live Lite, but its available features are not as extensive as those in 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 IRig Keys I/O to ableton

Linking and configuring the Ik Multimedia IRig Keys I/O 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 IRig Keys I/O to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the IRig Keys I/O 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 IRig Keys I/O from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the IRig Keys I/O 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 IRig Keys I/O (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The IRig Keys I/O is now ready for use with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After you have connected the Ik Multimedia IRig Keys I/O to Ableton Live with the aforementioned steps, you can now use MIDI mapping to link up the physical knobs, pads, keys etc on the device to their corresponding features in Ableton Live:

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 IRig Keys I/O, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the IRig Keys I/O.
5. Moving the physical control on your IRig Keys I/O 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 IRig Keys I/O

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

Saving your IRig Keys I/O 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

With a one-to-one MIDI mapping, each control on your IRig Keys I/O can only be assigned to a single 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 IRig Keys I/O, 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 IRig Keys I/O's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your IRig Keys I/O,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your IRig Keys I/O, 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 IRig Keys I/O in Ableton Live?

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