Icon Platform M+ Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

Icon’s Platform M+ is an exceptionally flexible midi controller and is a powerful tool when is used with Ableton Live. This midi controller has a plethora of features, making it perfect for Ableton Live.

This tutorial will show you the whole process of how to operate the Icon Platform M+ with Ableton Live. It will cover the steps of connecting, setting up and midi mapping the Platform M+.

Article Contents

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

To put it briefly, the Icon Platform M+ is compatible with Ableton Live.

Despite the lack of a default MIDI remote script existing within Ableton Live, it is still possible to midi map the Platform M+ to a variety of functions.

All versions of Ableton Live, Intro, Lite, standard and suite can be used in conjunction with pretty much any device which sends MIDI data, and it will work with all versions of Live such as 9, 10 and 11. As the Platform M+ is a MIDI enabled device it will be fully compatible with Ableton.

You can create your own custom Ableton midi mappings easily, which allows you to control much of the functionality in Ableton Live with your Platform M+.

Does the Icon Platform M+ come with ableton Live included?

The Platform M+ does not have Ableton Live Lite, it must be purchased independently.

Ableton Live has 3 main versions, Intro, Standard and Suite. Whilst Intro and Standard are very capable pieces of software, the Suite version packs more in, such as over 70GB of library sounds compared to Standard’s 10GB.

If you prefer to have all the Audio and MIDI effects, we recommend getting Ableton Live Suite, because it comes with much more of them than the Standard edition.

How to connect the Platform M+ to ableton

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

The Platform M+ has been configured and is now ready for use with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

Once you have connected the Icon Platform M+ to Ableton Live by following the steps above, you can now MIDI map the physical buttons, pads, keys etc on the device to the corresponding functions in 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 Platform M+, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Platform M+.
5. Moving the physical control on your Platform M+ 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 Platform M+

For the fastest way to map your Platform M+, you can’t go wrong with Ableton’s midi mapping system, but make sure you take into account these limitations…

Saving your Platform M+ 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

With a one-to-one MIDI mapping, each control on your Platform M+ can only be assigned to a single parameter in Ableton Live.

Limited Ableton parameter options to map to

Ableton’s internal midi mapping mode is unfortunately missing many control options. Options such as selected track and selected device control aren’t possible using this method. You can see a list of all available Ableton midi mapping options here.

We have a great solution to these problems

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

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