Novation Launchkey Mini Mk2 Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

The Novation Launchkey Mini Mk2 is a highly versatile midi controller and is a powerful instrument when used in combination with Ableton Live. This midi keyboard has a great selection of features that make it perfect for your Ableton Live setup.

This tutorial will explain all you need to know on using the Novation Launchkey Mini Mk2 with Ableton Live. This includes connecting, setting up and midi mapping the Launchkey Mini Mk2.

Article Contents

Does the Novation Launchkey Mini Mk2 work with Ableton Live?
Does the Novation Launchkey Mini Mk2 come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Launchkey Mini Mk2 to ableton
How to midi map the Novation Launchkey Mini Mk2 in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Launchkey Mini Mk2
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Novation Launchkey Mini Mk2 work with Ableton Live?

In summary, the Novation Launchkey Mini Mk2 is usable with Ableton Live.

The Launchkey Mini Mk2 comes with a midi remote script to ensure it functions with Ableton Live, so just plug it in (see the instructions below to see how) and you’re good to go.

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 Launchkey Mini Mk2 is a MIDI enabled device, it will work 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 Launchkey Mini Mk2.

Does the Novation Launchkey Mini Mk2 come with ableton Live included?

You get a complimentary version of Ableton Live Lite with the Launchkey Mini Mk2, but its worth noting that the features of Ableton Live Lite are not as full as those of Ableton Live Standard or Suite.

There are three main versions with Ableton Live: Intro, Standard and Suite. Though Intro and Standard are both comprehensive, Suite offers much more, such as 70GB of library sounds, in comparison to Standard’s 10GB.

For those who want to guarantee they have access to the largest selection of Audio and MIDI effects, we suggest investing in Ableton Live Suite, as it has a much larger selection than the Standard edition.

How to connect the Launchkey Mini Mk2 to ableton

Connecting the Novation Launchkey Mini Mk2 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 keyboard.

1. Connect the Launchkey Mini Mk2 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Launchkey Mini Mk2 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 Mini Mk2 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Launchkey Mini Mk2 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 Mini Mk2 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Launchkey Mini Mk2 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 Novation Launchkey Mini Mk2 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 Launchkey Mini Mk2, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Launchkey Mini Mk2.
5. Moving the physical control on your Launchkey Mini Mk2 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 Mini Mk2

With Ableton’s midi mapping system, you can swiftly map your Launchkey Mini Mk2, however, you must be aware of a few restrictions…

Saving your Launchkey Mini Mk2 Midi Mappings is cumbersome

Be aware that when saving your mappings, they will be stored with the Ableton session. Therefore, starting a new session will require you to re-map your controls.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

With a one-to-one MIDI mapping, each control on your Launchkey Mini Mk2 can only be assigned to a single 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 Launchkey Mini Mk2, 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 Mini Mk2’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Launchkey Mini Mk2,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Launchkey Mini Mk2, 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 Mini Mk2 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Launchkey Mini Mk2 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Launchkey Mini Mk2 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 Mini Mk2.
4. Make sure that the Launchkey Mini Mk2 is selected as the input device in Ableton’s MIDI Preferences.