Akai Mpd232 Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

The Akai Mpd232 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.

In this tutorial you will learn everything you need to know about using the Akai Mpd232 with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Mpd232.

Article Contents

  1. Does the Akai Mpd232 work with Ableton Live?
  2. Does the Akai Mpd232 come with ableton Live included?
  3. How to connect the Mpd232 to ableton
  4. How to midi map the Akai Mpd232 in Ableton Live
  5. The Limitations of midi mapping the Mpd232
    1. Saving your Mpd232 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 Akai Mpd232 work with Ableton Live?

In a nutshell, the Akai Mpd232 is able to work fully with Ableton Live.

The Mpd232 is equipped with a standard midi remote script in Ableton Live, so you just need to connect it (see instructions below) to get it working.

All versions of Ableton Live, Intro, Lite, standard and suite can be used in conjunction with pretty much any device which sends MIDI data, and it will work with all versions of Live such as 9, 10 and 11. As the Mpd232 is a MIDI enabled device it will be fully compatible with Ableton.

You can easily create midi mappings for Ableton, allowing you to access many functions of Ableton Live with your Mpd232.

Does the Akai Mpd232 come with ableton Live included?

The Mpd232 doesn’t come with a copy of Ableton Live Lite, so this would need to be purchased separately.

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 prefer to have all the Audio and MIDI effects, we recommend getting Ableton Live Suite, because it comes with much more of them than the Standard edition.

How to connect the Mpd232 to ableton

Linking and configuring the Akai Mpd232 to Ableton Live is not too complicated, and once you have them paired together you can control the software’s settings from your midi controller.

1. Connect the Mpd232 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Mpd232 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 Mpd232 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Mpd232 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 Mpd232 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Mpd232 will now be setup and ready to use with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After successfully connecting the Akai Mpd232 to Ableton live following the steps above, you can now MIDI map the physical knobs, pads, keys etc on the device to functionality within 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 Mpd232, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Mpd232.
5. Moving the physical control on your Mpd232 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 Mpd232

For the fastest way to map your Mpd232, you can’t go wrong with Ableton’s midi mapping system, but make sure you take into account these limitations…

Saving your Mpd232 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 means that each control on your Mpd232 can only be assigned to a single Ableton Live parameter.

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 Mpd232, 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 Mpd232’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Mpd232,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Mpd232, 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 Mpd232 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Mpd232 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Mpd232 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Mpd232.
4. Make sure that the Mpd232 is selected as the input device in Ableton’s MIDI Preferences.