Reloop Keypad Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

Reloop’s Keypad is a fantastically adaptable midi keyboard that is extremely useful when coupled with Ableton Live. This device has a great range of features, making it ideal as an Ableton Live controller.

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

Article Contents

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

Does the Reloop Keypad work with Ableton Live?

In a nutshell, the Reloop Keypad is able to work fully with Ableton Live.

Out of the box, the Keypad has a midi remote script that is compatible with Ableton Live, so once you connect it (check the section below for more info) it is ready to go.

All versions of Ableton Live, from Intro to Suite, are able to be utilized in collaboration with any equipment that sends MIDI data. This is applicable to all releases of Live, such as 9, 10, and 11. As the Keypad is a MIDI enabled tool, it will be completely compatible 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 Keypad.

Does the Reloop Keypad come with ableton Live included?

With the Keypad you get a free copy of Ableton Live Lite, but its features are not nearly as comprehensive 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 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 Keypad to ableton

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

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

Ableton’s midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly customize your Keypad, though it does have a few limitations to be mindful of…

Saving your Keypad Midi Mappings is cumbersome

It is important to note that your mappings are stored with the Ableton session when saving. Consequently, when you create a new session, you will have to remap your controls again.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

Through a one-to-one MIDI mapping, each control on your Keypad can only be assigned to 1 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 Keypad, 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 Keypad’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Keypad,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Keypad, 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 Keypad in Ableton Live?

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