MPK mini IV | Ableton Live Setup Guide

Welcome to this guide on how to set up MPK Mini IV with Ableton Live using the included DAW Script - Note, these steps are applicable to Ableton Live / Live Lite 12 onwards. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• 1. Update the Firmware
• 2. Load the Ableton DAW Preset
• 3. Set Up in Ableton Live
• 4. Control the Tempo of the MPK mini IV with Ableton Live
• 5. Control Map
• 6. Pad Modes
  • Pad 4 (NOTES): Drum Rack Mode
  • Pad 3 (CC#):Record Arm/Clip Stop Mode
  • Pad 2 (PROG CHNG):Clip Launch Mode
• 7. Knob Modes and Mixer Controls
  • Device Control Mode:
  • Mixer Mode
• 8. Troubleshooting

1. Update the Firmware

Before configuring your MPK mini mk4, ensure your firmware version is v1.38 or later.

2. Load the Ableton DAW Preset

1. Connect your MPK mini mk4 to your computer.

2. On the MPK, press the PLUGIN/DAW button to load the DAW preset.

3. Confirm that the screen changes to the DAW preset view.

3. Set Up in Ableton Live

1. Launch Ableton Live.

2. Open Preferences > Link/Tempo/MIDI.

3. In the Control Surface drop-down menu, choose MPK mini IV.

4. Click an available Input drop-down menu and select MPK mini IV (Port 2).

5. Click an available Output down-down menu and select MPK mini IV (Port 2).

6. Most of the MIDI port settings should be automatically selected, as shown in the image below:
   
   
   

7. You will have to manually turn off - Input Ports > Track for Port 3 and Port 4.
   Note: This ensures MPK mini IV works properly with the Studio Instrument Collection plugin.

8. If you're having issues, ensure the settings are still set to these defaults:
   
   Input Ports:
   MPK mini IV - Track (enabled)
   MPK mini IV (Port 2) - Track (enabled)
   Output Ports:
   MPK mini IV (Port 2) - Synch (enabled)
   
   Note: MPE should not be enabled with MPK mini IV.

9. Close the Preferences window. You can now use MPK mini IV with Ableton Live.

4. Control the Tempo of the MPK mini IV with Ableton Live

To control the tempo of your MPK mini IV using Ableton Live, particularly for the Arpeggiator, please follow the instructions below:

1. Hold the SHIFT button and press ARP to open the Arpeggiator Configuration menu.
2. Use the encoder to scroll to the Clock setting and set it to EXT.
3. Once the clock is set to External, the Arpeggiator will only function when playback is running in Ableton Live, and will be synced to its tempo.

5. Control Map

This will outline the functions of the MPK mini IV's compatible controls when using Ableton Live.

1. Keyboard, Pitch Wheel, Modulation Wheel, Sustain Input: These basic performance controls are used for controlling and playing virtual instruments in Ableton Live. These controls send their data on MIDI Port 1 and are not part of the additional control script.
2. Display: The display on MPK® mini IV provides instant visual feedback as you play, and displays information from the connected Ableton Live software. This display can also be used to edit various MPK® mini IV hardware settings, such as Arpeggiator parameters or Global functions, as described in the hardware User Guide.
3. SHIFT: This button provides access to secondary functions when using MPK® mini IV with Ableton Live. Press and hold it and then press another button or pad to access its secondary function.
4. Encoder: Turn this knob to select scenes. This will also move the 4x4 matrix focus up or down when scrolling past its current bounds.
   Press the encoder to launch the selected scene.
   Hold SHIFT and turn the encoder to navigate between different devices in Device Control Mode.
   Hold SHIFT and press the encoder to toggle between Device Control Mode and Mixer Mode for the knobs.
5. -/+: Press these buttons to move to the previous or next track. This will also shift the current 4x4 matrix focus left or right when scrolling past its current bounds.
   Hold SHIFT and press this button to move to the previous or next knob bank in Device Control Mode or Mixer Mode. 
6. TAP TEMPO: Press this button three times in the desired tempo to change the BPM (beats per minute) in Ableton Live.
   METRONOME: Hold SHIFT and press this button to turn the metronome on or off in Ableton Live.
7. BANK A/B: Press this button to toggle between Bank A and Bank B for the pads. See the following Pad Modes section to learn more about this function in each pad mode.
8. Pads: These drum pads can be used in three different modes, which can be accessed by holding SHIFT and pressing the following pads:
   
   Pad 4 (NOTES): Drum Rack Mode.
   Pad 3 (CC#): Record Arm/Clip Stop Mode
   Pad 2 (PROG CHNG): Clip Launch Mode
   Hold SHIFT and press Pad 1 to stop all playing clips.
   
   
9. Knobs: These endless knobs can be used for two different functions, which you can toggle between by holding SHIFT and pressing the encoder:
   
   Device Control Mode
   Mixer Mode
   
   
10. UNDO: Press this button to undo the last action in Ableton Live.
    REDO: Hold SHIFT and press this button to redo the last action undone in Ableton Live. 
11. Loop: Press this button to turn loop playback on and off in Ableton Live.
12. Stop/Play: Press this button to stop or start playback in Ableton Live.
    Continue: Hold SHIFT and press this button to start playback from the current playhead position in Ableton Live. 
13. Record: Press this button to enable arrangement recording in Ableton Live.
    Quantize: Hold SHIFT and press this button to turn quantization on or off in Ableton Live. This allows the notes you play to snap to the recording grid according to the current time division.
14. Overdub: Press this button to enable MIDI overdub recording in Ableton Live.
    Automation: Hold SHIFT and press this button to turn automation recording on or off in Ableton Live.

6. Pad Modes

The MPK® mini IV pads can be used in three different modes with Ableton Live. You can access each mode by holding SHIFT and pressing the following: 

• Pad 4 (NOTES): Drum Rack Mode

  In this mode, the MPK® mini IV pads will automatically map to a 4x4 Drum Rack in Ableton. Press a pad to launch each sample.
  
  Press the BANK A/B button on MPK® mini IV to access additional samples in the Drum Rack.
  
  

• Pad 3 (CC#):Record Arm/Clip Stop Mode

  In this mode, the MPK® mini IV pads will control track Record Arm and Clip Stop functions.
  The bottom row of four pads corresponds to the first four tracks’ Record Arm function (red outline, right). Press a pad to arm or disarm the selected track for recording. You can arm multiple tracks at a time by pressing and holding the pads simultaneously.
  
  The top row of four pads corresponds to the first four tracks’ Clip Stop functions (blue outline, right). Press one of these pads to stop a clip playing in the selected track.
  
  If you have more than four tracks in your project, you can use the -/+ buttons to move the 4x4 matrix view left or right for additional track control.
  
  

• Pad 2 (PROG CHNG):Clip Launch Mode

  In this mode, the MPK® mini IV pads will act as clip launchers for the current 4x4 matrix view focus. Pad Bank A will control the top 2x4 grouping of clips in the Matrix grid, and Bank B will control the bottom 2x4 grouping of clips. Press the BANK A/B button on MPK® mini IV to toggle between banks. Press a pad to launch the selected clip.
  
  You can also move the current 4x4 matrix focus up and down by turning the encoder, or left and right by pressing the -/+ buttons.
  
  

7. Knob Modes and Mixer Controls

The MPK® mini IV knobs can be used in two different modes with Ableton Live: Device Control Mode and Mixer Mode. You can toggle between each mode by holding SHIFT and pressing the encoder. 

Device Control Mode:

In this mode, the knobs will be mapped to Device Control on the currently selected track. Turn each knob to adjust the corresponding parameter.

Press and hold SHIFT and turn the encoder to cycle between banks of parameters in the device chain, selecting the next device and its eight associated parameters.

Press and hold SHIFT and press the -/+ buttons to move to the previous or next bank of parameters in the selected device.

Mixer Mode:

In this mode, the knobs will be mapped to mixer controls on the selected track. Turn each knob to adjust the selected control. 

Press the -/+ buttons to select the previous or next track. The knobs will automatically map to the first bank of Mixer Mode controls on the selected track.

Press and hold SHIFT and press the -/+ buttons to move to the previous or next bank of controls on the selected track. 

8. Troubleshooting

If you are experiencing trouble using the Ableton Live control script, you can try the following. 

Check that DAW Control Mode is enabled on MPK® mini IV: Press the PLUGIN/DAW button on your MPK® mini IV so that it is lit red, indicating DAW mode is active.

For macOS users, remove the MIDI device from Audio MIDI Setup and reconnect:

1. Close Ableton Live if it is open.
2. Disconnect MPK® mini IV from your computer.
3. On your macOS computer, go to Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup and open it.
4. Enter the MIDI Studio tab by going to Window > Show MIDI Studio, or by pressing ⌘ (Cmd) + 2.
   
   
5. Locate MPK® mini IV in the list of devices, and then remove by selecting it and pressing backspace on your keyboard, or by clicking the - icon in the MIDI Studio window.
   
   
6. Reconnect MPK® mini IV and reopen Ableton Live.