Akai Mpk25 Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

Akai’s Mpk25 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 Akai Mpk25 with Ableton Live, including the processes of linking, setting up and midi mapping the Mpk25.

Article Contents

Does the Akai Mpk25 work with Ableton Live?
Does the Akai Mpk25 come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Mpk25 to ableton
How to midi map the Akai Mpk25 in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Mpk25
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Akai Mpk25 work with Ableton Live?

In short, yes, the Akai Mpk25 is compatible with Ableton Live.

The Mpk25 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.

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 Mpk25 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 Mpk25.

Does the Akai Mpk25 come with ableton Live included?

You get a complimentary version of Ableton Live Lite with the Mpk25, 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. Whilst Intro and Standard are highly functional, Suite includes an additional 70GB library of 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 Mpk25 to ableton

Connecting and setting up the Akai Mpk25 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 Mpk25 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Mpk25 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 Mpk25 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Mpk25 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 Mpk25 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Mpk25 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 Mpk25 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 Mpk25, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Mpk25.
5. Moving the physical control on your Mpk25 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 Mpk25

For the fastest way to map your Mpk25, you can’t go wrong with Ableton’s midi mapping system, but make sure you take into account these limitations…

Saving your Mpk25 Midi Mappings is cumbersome

It is important to note that your mappings are stored with the Ableton session when saving. Consequently, when you create a new session, you will have to remap your controls again.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

A one-to-one MIDI mapping indicates that each control on your Mpk25 is capable of controlling only one 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 Mpk25, 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 Mpk25’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Mpk25,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Mpk25, 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 Mpk25 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Mpk25 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Mpk25 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Mpk25.
4. Make sure that the Mpk25 is selected as the input device in Ableton’s MIDI Preferences.