Arturia Keystep Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

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Arturia's Keystep is an exceptionally flexible midi keyboard and is a powerful tool when is used with Ableton Live. This midi keyboard has a plethora of features, making it perfect for Ableton Live.

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

Article Contents

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

In short, yes, the Arturia Keystep is compatible with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live doesn’t provide a default MIDI remote script within its software for it, the Keystep can still be midi mapped to many functions within the software.

All versions of Ableton Live, from Intro to Suite, are able to be utilized in collaboration with any equipment that sends MIDI data. This is applicable to all releases of Live, such as 9, 10, and 11. As the Keystep is a MIDI enabled tool, it will be completely compatible with Ableton Live.

You can create your own Ableton midi mappings with ease, giving you the power to control many of the features of Ableton Live with your Keystep.

Does the Arturia Keystep come with ableton Live included?

The Keystep 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. Even though Intro and Standard are both effective, Suite offers a lot more, including 70GB of library sounds, compared 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 Keystep to ableton

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

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

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

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

With Ableton's midi mapping system, you can swiftly map your Keystep, however, you must be aware of a few restrictions...

Saving your Keystep 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 indicates that each control on your Keystep is capable of controlling only one parameter in Ableton Live.

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

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