Novation Flkey 37 Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

The Novation Flkey 37 is a versatile midi keyboard and when used alongside Ableton Live, it’s an incredible tool filled with potential. This midi keyboard is equipped with plenty of features that make it the perfect companion to Ableton Live.

In this tutorial you will learn everything you need to know about using the Novation Flkey 37 with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Flkey 37.

Article Contents

  1. Does the Novation Flkey 37 work with Ableton Live?
  2. Does the Novation Flkey 37 come with ableton Live included?
  3. How to connect the Flkey 37 to ableton
  4. How to midi map the Novation Flkey 37 in Ableton Live
  5. The Limitations of midi mapping the Flkey 37
    1. Saving your Flkey 37 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 Novation Flkey 37 work with Ableton Live?

In a nutshell, the Novation Flkey 37 is able to work fully with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live does not come with a MIDI remote script, the Flkey 37 can still be mapped to many of the software’s functions.

Any edition of Ableton Live, from Intro to Suite, will be compatible with any device that transmits MIDI data. This works for all editions of Live, for instance 9, 10, and 11. As the Flkey 37 is a MIDI enabled device, it will work with Ableton Live.

You can easily create midi mappings for Ableton, allowing you to access many functions of Ableton Live with your Flkey 37.

Does the Novation Flkey 37 come with ableton Live included?

The Flkey 37 doesn’t come with a copy of Ableton Live Lite, so this would need to be purchased separately.

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’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 Flkey 37 to ableton

Connecting and setting up the Novation Flkey 37 with Ableton Live is a relatively simple process, once you have the 2 linked together you will be able to control parameters of the software from your midi keyboard.

1. Connect the Flkey 37 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Flkey 37 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 Flkey 37 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Flkey 37 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 Flkey 37 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

Set up of the Flkey 37 with Ableton Live is now complete.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After linking up the Novation Flkey 37 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 Flkey 37, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Flkey 37.
5. Moving the physical control on your Flkey 37 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 Flkey 37

Ableton’s midi mapping system is a great solution for quickly mapping your Flkey 37, however, you must take into account some potential limitations…

Saving your Flkey 37 Midi Mappings is cumbersome

Saving your mappings can be a problem as mappings are saved with an Ableton session, so if you start a new session you will need to re-map your controls again.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

A one-to-one MIDI mapping means that each control on your Flkey 37 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 provide every control option, so options such as controlling the selected track or selected device aren’t possible. A full list of Ableton midi mapping options can be found here.

We have a great solution to these problems

If you’re looking to get the most out of your Flkey 37, 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 Flkey 37’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Flkey 37,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Flkey 37, 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 Flkey 37 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Flkey 37 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Flkey 37 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Flkey 37.
4. Make sure that the Flkey 37 is selected as the input device in Ableton’s MIDI Preferences.