M Audio Keystation 61es Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

The Keystation 61es from M Audio is an incredibly versatile midi keyboard and is a powerful tool when used in combination with Ableton Live. The Akai MPK Mini has a wealth of features that make it perfect for use with Ableton Live.

This tutorial will explain all you need to know on using the M Audio Keystation 61es with Ableton Live. This includes connecting, setting up and midi mapping the Keystation 61es.

Article Contents

  1. Does the M Audio Keystation 61es work with Ableton Live?
  2. Does the M Audio Keystation 61es come with ableton Live included?
  3. How to connect the Keystation 61es to ableton
  4. How to midi map the M Audio Keystation 61es in Ableton Live
  5. The Limitations of midi mapping the Keystation 61es
    1. Saving your Keystation 61es 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 M Audio Keystation 61es work with Ableton Live?

In a nutshell, the M Audio Keystation 61es is able to work fully with Ableton Live.

Despite the lack of a default MIDI remote script existing within Ableton Live, it is still possible to midi map the Keystation 61es to a variety of functions.

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 Keystation 61es 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 Keystation 61es.

Does the M Audio Keystation 61es come with ableton Live included?

The Keystation 61es includes a complimentary version of Ableton Live Lite, but its available features are not as extensive as those in Ableton Live Standard or Suite.

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 Keystation 61es to ableton

Connecting and setting up the M Audio Keystation 61es with Ableton Live is a simple task, after they’re connected you’ll be able to adjust the software’s parameters from your midi keyboard.

1. Connect the Keystation 61es to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Keystation 61es 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 Keystation 61es from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Keystation 61es 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 Keystation 61es (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Keystation 61es is now ready for use with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After you have connected the M Audio Keystation 61es to Ableton Live with the aforementioned steps, you can now use MIDI mapping to link up the physical knobs, pads, keys etc on the device to their corresponding features in Ableton Live:

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 Keystation 61es, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Keystation 61es.
5. Moving the physical control on your Keystation 61es 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 Keystation 61es

For the fastest way to map your Keystation 61es, you can’t go wrong with Ableton’s midi mapping system, but make sure you take into account these limitations…

Saving your Keystation 61es 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 Keystation 61es is capable of controlling only one 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 Keystation 61es, 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 Keystation 61es’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Keystation 61es,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Keystation 61es, 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 Keystation 61es in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Keystation 61es is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Keystation 61es is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Keystation 61es.
4. Make sure that the Keystation 61es is selected as the input device in Ableton’s MIDI Preferences.