Icon Ikeyboard 4x Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

Icon’s Ikeyboard 4x 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 Icon Ikeyboard 4x with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Ikeyboard 4x.

Article Contents

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

In summary, the Icon Ikeyboard 4x is usable with Ableton Live.

Despite the absence of a built-in MIDI remote script within Ableton Live, users can still use the Ikeyboard 4x to midi map to numerous functions in 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 Ikeyboard 4x 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 Ikeyboard 4x.

Does the Icon Ikeyboard 4x come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite isn’t included with the Ikeyboard 4x, so this must be bought 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.

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 Ikeyboard 4x to ableton

Linking the Icon Ikeyboard 4x to Ableton Live is a simple process, and when you have them connected you can control the software’s parameters from your midi keyboard.

1. Connect the Ikeyboard 4x to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Ikeyboard 4x 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 Ikeyboard 4x from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Ikeyboard 4x 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 Ikeyboard 4x (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Ikeyboard 4x is all set and can now be used with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

Upon making a successful connection between the Icon Ikeyboard 4x and Ableton Live using the instructions above, you can now use MIDI mapping to allocate the physical knobs, pads, keys etc on the device to their respective functions in Ableton Live like this:

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

With Ableton’s midi mapping system, you can swiftly map your Ikeyboard 4x, however, you must be aware of a few restrictions…

Saving your Ikeyboard 4x Midi Mappings is cumbersome

When saving an Ableton session, your mappings will be saved as part of that session. Therefore, if you create a new session, you will need to remap your controls.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

With a one-to-one MIDI mapping, each control on your Ikeyboard 4x can only be assigned to a single 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 Ikeyboard 4x, 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 Ikeyboard 4x’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Ikeyboard 4x,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Ikeyboard 4x, 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 Ikeyboard 4x in Ableton Live?

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