Akai Mpk Mini Mk2 Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

The Akai Mpk Mini Mk2 is a versatile midi keyboard and when used alongside Ableton Live, it’s an incredible tool filled with potential. This midi keyboard is equipped with plenty of features that make it the perfect companion to Ableton Live.

In this tutorial you will learn everything you need to know about using the Akai Mpk Mini Mk2 with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Mpk Mini Mk2.

Article Contents

Does the Akai Mpk Mini Mk2 work with Ableton Live?
Does the Akai Mpk Mini Mk2 come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Mpk Mini Mk2 to ableton
How to midi map the Akai Mpk Mini Mk2 in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Mpk Mini Mk2
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Akai Mpk Mini Mk2 work with Ableton Live?

In short, yes, the Akai Mpk Mini Mk2 is compatible with Ableton Live.

Ableton live provides a default midi remote script for the Mpk Mini Mk2, meaning it will work with Ableton Live as soon as you connect it (see the section below on how to connect to ableton).

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 Mpk Mini Mk2 will be usable 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 Mk2.

Does the Akai Mpk Mini Mk2 come with ableton Live included?

Yes the Mpk Mini Mk2 comes with a free copy of Ableton Live Lite. Although it has unlimited usage, the available features are a lot less than what is available in the full versions 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 Mk2 to ableton

Connecting and setting up the Akai Mpk Mini Mk2 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 Mpk Mini Mk2 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Mpk Mini Mk2 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 Mk2 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Mpk Mini Mk2 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.

.
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 Mk2 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Mpk Mini Mk2 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 Mpk Mini Mk2 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 Mpk Mini Mk2, 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 Mk2.
5. Moving the physical control on your Mpk Mini Mk2 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 Mk2

Ableton’s midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly map your Mpk Mini Mk2, there are however, some limitations to be aware of…

Saving your Mpk Mini Mk2 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

With a one-to-one MIDI mapping, each control on your Mpk Mini Mk2 can only be assigned to a single 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 Mpk Mini Mk2, 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 Mk2’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Mpk Mini Mk2,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Mpk Mini Mk2, 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 Mk2 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Mpk Mini Mk2 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Mpk Mini Mk2 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 Mk2.
4. Make sure that the Mpk Mini Mk2 is selected as the input device in Ableton’s MIDI Preferences.