Akai Mpk49 Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

Akai’s Mpk49 is an incredibly multi-faceted midi controller and is a powerful addition to any Ableton Live setup. This midi keyboard has a wealth of features that make it ideal for use with Ableton Live.

In this tutorial you will learn everything you need to know about using the Akai Mpk49 with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Mpk49.

Article Contents

Does the Akai Mpk49 work with Ableton Live?
Does the Akai Mpk49 come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Mpk49 to ableton
How to midi map the Akai Mpk49 in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Mpk49
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Akai Mpk49 work with Ableton Live?

In summary, the Akai Mpk49 is usable with Ableton Live.

The Mpk49 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 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 Mpk49 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 Mpk49.

Does the Akai Mpk49 come with ableton Live included?

The Mpk49 offers a complimentary copy of Ableton Live Lite, but its features are limited in comparison to 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.

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 Mpk49 to ableton

Linking and configuring the Akai Mpk49 to Ableton Live is not too complicated, and once you have them paired together you can control the software’s settings from your midi keyboard.

1. Connect the Mpk49 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Mpk49 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 Mpk49 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Mpk49 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 Mpk49 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

Set up of the Mpk49 with Ableton Live is now complete.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After linking up the Akai Mpk49 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 Mpk49, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Mpk49.
5. Moving the physical control on your Mpk49 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 Mpk49

With Ableton’s midi mapping system, you can swiftly map your Mpk49, however, you must be aware of a few restrictions…

Saving your Mpk49 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 Mpk49 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 Mpk49, 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 Mpk49’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Mpk49,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Mpk49, 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 Mpk49 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Mpk49 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Mpk49 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Mpk49.
4. Make sure that the Mpk49 is selected as the input device in Ableton’s MIDI Preferences.