Akai Mpd249 Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

The Akai Mpd249 is a versatile midi controller and when used alongside Ableton Live, it’s an incredible tool filled with potential. This midi controller is equipped with plenty of features that make it the perfect companion to Ableton Live.

This tutorial will teach you everything needed in order to use the Akai Mpd249 with Ableton Live, including the processes of linking, setting up and midi mapping the Mpd249.

Article Contents

Does the Akai Mpd249 work with Ableton Live?
Does the Akai Mpd249 come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Mpd249 to ableton
How to midi map the Akai Mpd249 in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Mpd249
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Akai Mpd249 work with Ableton Live?

To put it briefly, the Akai Mpd249 is compatible with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live does not come with a MIDI remote script, the Mpd249 can still be mapped to many of the software’s functions.

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 Mpd249 will be usable with Ableton Live.

You can easily create midi mappings for Ableton, allowing you to access many functions of Ableton Live with your Mpd249.

Does the Akai Mpd249 come with ableton Live included?

The Mpd249 doesn’t come with a copy of Ableton Live Lite, so this would need to be purchased separately.

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.

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 Mpd249 to ableton

Connecting the Akai Mpd249 with Ableton Live is pretty simple, and when the two are linked you’ll be able to adjust the software’s parameters from your midi controller.

1. Connect the Mpd249 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Mpd249 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 Mpd249 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Mpd249 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 Mpd249 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

Set up of the Mpd249 with Ableton Live is now complete.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After linking up the Akai Mpd249 to Ableton Live using the steps provided, you can now assign the physical buttons, pads, keys etc on the device to specific functions within Ableton Live via MIDI mapping as follows:

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 Mpd249, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Mpd249.
5. Moving the physical control on your Mpd249 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 Mpd249

With Ableton’s midi mapping system, you can swiftly map your Mpd249, however, you must be aware of a few restrictions…

Saving your Mpd249 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

A one-to-one MIDI mapping means that each control on your Mpd249 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 provide every control option, so options such as controlling the selected track or selected device aren’t possible. A full list of Ableton midi mapping options can be found here.

We have a great solution to these problems

If you’re looking to get the most out of your Mpd249, 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 Mpd249’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Mpd249,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Mpd249, 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 Mpd249 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Mpd249 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Mpd249 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Mpd249.
4. Make sure that the Mpd249 is selected as the input device in Ableton’s MIDI Preferences.