Akai Mpk Mini Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

The Akai Mpk Mini is a highly versatile midi controller and is a powerful instrument when used in combination with Ableton Live. This midi controller has a great selection of features that make it perfect for your Ableton Live setup.

This tutorial will show you the whole process of how to operate the Akai Mpk Mini with Ableton Live. It will cover the steps of connecting, setting up and midi mapping the Mpk Mini.

Article Contents

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

Does the Akai Mpk Mini work with Ableton Live?

To sum it up, the Akai Mpk Mini is fully compatible with Ableton Live.

The Mpk Mini comes with a midi remote script to ensure it functions with Ableton Live, so just plug it in (see the instructions below to see how) and you’re good 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 Mpk Mini is a MIDI capable device, it is fully suited to function 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 Mpk Mini.

Does the Akai Mpk Mini come with ableton Live included?

You get a complimentary version of Ableton Live Lite with the Mpk Mini, but its worth noting that the features of Ableton Live Lite are not as full as those of Ableton Live Standard or Suite.

There are three main versions of Ableton Live: Intro, Standard and Suite. Although Intro and Standard are both powerful, Suite offers extra features, such as 70GB of library sounds, in contrast 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 Mpk Mini to ableton

Linking the Akai Mpk Mini to Ableton Live is a simple process, and when you have them connected you can control the software’s parameters from your midi controller.

1. Connect the Mpk Mini to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Mpk Mini 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 Mpk Mini from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Mpk Mini are checked.
4. Ensure that the proper ‘Track’, ‘Remote’ and ‘Sync’ boxes are checked for both input and output.

Track: When checked, this allows MIDI notes and CC messages to be sent/received.
Sync: This option enables MIDI clock syncing between Ableton live and the external device.
Remote: Allows external MIDI controllers to remotely control parameters within Ableton Live.

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In the ‘MIDI’ section of this tab, make sure the ‘Track’ and ‘Remote’ boxes are checked for both the Input and Output of the Mpk Mini (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Mpk Mini is all set and can now be used with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

Upon making a successful connection between the Akai Mpk Mini and Ableton Live using the instructions above, you can now use MIDI mapping to allocate the physical knobs, pads, keys etc on the device to their respective functions in Ableton Live like this:

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

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

Saving your Mpk Mini Midi Mappings is cumbersome

When saving an Ableton session, your mappings will be saved as part of that session. Therefore, if you create a new session, you will need to remap your controls.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

With a one-to-one MIDI mapping, each control on your Mpk Mini 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 include every control options, options such as selected track control and selected device control unfortunately aren’t possible. You can view a comprehensive list of all Ableton midi mapping options here.

We have a great solution to these problems

If you’re looking to get the most out of your Mpk Mini, 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 Mpk Mini’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Mpk Mini,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Mpk Mini, 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 Mpk Mini in Ableton Live?

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