Reloop Keyfadr Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

Reloop's Keyfadr is a fantastically adaptable midi keyboard that is extremely useful when coupled with Ableton Live. This device has a great range of features, making it ideal as an Ableton Live controller.

This tutorial will teach you everything needed in order to use the Reloop Keyfadr with Ableton Live, including the processes of linking, setting up and midi mapping the Keyfadr.

Article Contents

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

In a nutshell, the Reloop Keyfadr is able to work fully with Ableton Live.

Out of the box, the Keyfadr 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 Keyfadr will be usable 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 Keyfadr.

Does the Reloop Keyfadr come with ableton Live included?

With the Keyfadr 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 with Ableton Live: Intro, Standard and Suite. Though Intro and Standard are both comprehensive, Suite offers much more, such as 70GB of library sounds, in comparison to Standard's 10GB.

If you're looking to make sure you have the full range of Audio and MIDI effects, we suggest you go with Ableton Live Suite, as it has far more than the Standard edition.

How to connect the Keyfadr to ableton

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

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

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

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

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