Novation Launchkey 88 Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

The Launchkey 88 from Novation 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.

In this tutorial you will learn everything you need to know about using the Novation Launchkey 88 with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Launchkey 88.

Article Contents

  1. Does the Novation Launchkey 88 work with Ableton Live?
  2. Does the Novation Launchkey 88 come with ableton Live included?
  3. How to connect the Launchkey 88 to ableton
  4. How to midi map the Novation Launchkey 88 in Ableton Live
  5. The Limitations of midi mapping the Launchkey 88
    1. Saving your Launchkey 88 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 Launchkey 88 work with Ableton Live?

In short, yes, the Novation Launchkey 88 is compatible with Ableton Live.

The Launchkey 88 is pre-programmed with a midi remote script in Ableton Live, so all you have to do is connect it (refer to the information below on how to do that).

All editions of Ableton Live, from Intro to Suite, can be used with any device that sends out MIDI data. This is the case for all versions of Live, 9, 10, or 11. Seeing as the Launchkey 88 is a MIDI capable device, it is fully suited to function with Ableton Live.

You can create your own custom Ableton midi mappings easily, which allows you to control much of the functionality in Ableton Live with your Launchkey 88.

Does the Novation Launchkey 88 come with ableton Live included?

The Launchkey 88 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. Although Intro and Standard are both powerful, Suite offers extra features, such as 70GB of library sounds, in contrast to Standard’s 10GB.

Ableton Live Suite includes many more Audio and MIDI effects compared to Standard, so if you want to ensure you have everything, we recommend going with Ableton Live Suite.

How to connect the Launchkey 88 to ableton

Linking the Novation Launchkey 88 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 Launchkey 88 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Launchkey 88 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 Launchkey 88 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Launchkey 88 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 Launchkey 88 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Launchkey 88 is now ready for use with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After you have connected the Novation Launchkey 88 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 Launchkey 88, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Launchkey 88.
5. Moving the physical control on your Launchkey 88 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 Launchkey 88

With Ableton’s midi mapping system, you can swiftly map your Launchkey 88, however, you must be aware of a few restrictions…

Saving your Launchkey 88 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 Launchkey 88 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 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 Launchkey 88, 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 Launchkey 88’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Launchkey 88,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Launchkey 88, 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 Launchkey 88 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Launchkey 88 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Launchkey 88 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Launchkey 88.
4. Make sure that the Launchkey 88 is selected as the input device in Ableton’s MIDI Preferences.