How To Connect MIDI keyboard To Ableton Live – Step By Step

How To Connect MIDI keyboard To Ableton Live - Step By Step | integraudio.com

One of the first upgrades you can do as a music producer is to connect a midi keyboard to your computer. In addition to being able to play or record chords and melodies in a conventional way, you will have more control over the parameters you choose within your DAW.

Although you can produce music with just a mouse or computer keyboard, developing musical ideas on a MIDI keyboard can be more fluid. For example, playing notes on a keyboard is not the same as “painting” notes with the mouse on a piano roll.

If you are looking for how to connect a midi keyboard to Ableton Live, this article will solve all your doubts. It is a relatively simple process that will help you become a better music producer.

How To Connect MIDI keyboard To Ableton Live – Step By Step

In short, you will need to connect the MIDI keyboard to your computer via a USB cable (in most cases, it is included with the keyboard). Then, after ensuring that your computer recognizes the MIDI keyboard, it’s a matter of setting specific parameters in the Ableton Live settings.

  • Connecting the MIDI keyboard to the computer

To begin with, you must connect the supplied USB cable from the keyboard to the computer. If the keyboard needs a power supply to operate, you need to connect it beforehand so it can power up.

  • Verify firmware is up to date

In general, current MIDI keyboards are class compliant, meaning they do not need additional drivers to be used. As it connects to the computer, Ableton Live can automatically detect it, and it will be ready to use (especially with macOS computers). However, if it ever happens that you plug it in and the computer doesn’t recognize it, make sure to check for and install the latest driver update. You can use google or search on the official website of your keyboard brand.

For example, if you use an ARTURIA keyboard, you will find all the drivers on their official website (under Support – Downloads & Manuals); then, look for the model you own.

  • Open Ableton MIDI preferences

Let’s begin by opening Ableton Live preferences. If you use macOS, you will find it under Live – Preferences. If you use Windows, it’s under the Options menu. You can also use the CMD – , (Mac) / CTRL – , (Win) shortcut.

Ableton Live preferences are divided into eight categories, the fourth being the Link MIDI menu. Click on that one to open all MIDI inputs and outputs preferences.

How To Connect MIDI keyboard To Ableton Live - Step By Step | integraudio.com

How to open MIDI preferences in Ableton Live.

  • Check the Link MIDI tab

Under the Link MIDI tab, you can set specific parameters regarding the connection of the MIDI keyboard and Ableton Live. Live will automatically detect the device. To verify this was well done, check if your device appears in Midi Ports as activated. If your keyboard has not been automatically detected, manually turn on the track and remote options under Midi Ports.

How To Connect MIDI keyboard To Ableton Live - Step By Step | integraudio.com

In this case, I turned on the Track and Remote for a DIY MIDI keyboard called Pico.

  • Verifying that Ableton is receiving MIDI signal

After your keyboard is turned on under the MIDI ports, you can now test it by touching any keys on your keyboard. In the control bar of Ableton Live, you will see a yellow light blinking every time Ableton receives a MIDI signal.

How To Connect MIDI keyboard To Ableton Live - Step By Step | integraudio.com

The small square on the top right will flash yellow every time Ableton Live receives a MIDI signal.

  • Check the keyboard’s control surface

Most current keyboards come with a default template for controlling Ableton Live. Therefore, when you connect the keyboard to Ableton Live, each knob, button, or fader on your keyboard will already have a function assigned to it. That is called the control surface. If your MIDI keyboard has an Ableton default template, it will appear on the control surfaces in this section.

If your midi keyboard has a control surface template but has not been detected by Ableton, you can use the control surface finder and search for your MIDI keyboard, then select the correct input and output.

How To Connect MIDI keyboard To Ableton Live - Step By Step | integraudio.com

Ableton Live can recognize up to 6 control surfaces at the same time.

  • Arm a MIDI track

Now that your keyboard is already sending MIDI data to Ableton Live, you must create a MIDI channel that your MIDI keyboard will control. So first, create a MIDI channel (right click – insert MIDI track or CMD – shift T (Mac) / CTRL – shift T (Win) shortcut.

Now, there are two main ways to prepare your MIDI track. For the first one, you must turn the Monitor of the MIDI track to Auto. After that, please turn on the arm recording button to make that track reproduce the MIDI signal it receives from your keyboard.

How To Connect MIDI keyboard To Ableton Live - Step By Step | integraudio.com

Two MIDI tracks, one with the arm recording turned on and the other turned off. You must turn Monitor to Audio.

For the second option, you can turn the Monitor to Inmaking it play the signal as it receives it, even with the arm recording turned off.

How To Connect MIDI keyboard To Ableton Live - Step By Step | integraudio.com

Both tracks are playing MIDI; the first one’s Monitor is set to In, while the second is armed to record.

  • Play and record with your keyboard

Now you can search for a sound on Ableton’s browser to use with your keyboard. In this case, I’m going to open a synth, so I go to Sounds, then Synth Keys. Then, if I double click on any sound of my choice while having a MIDI track selected, Ableton will create a MIDI synth using that sound or preset.

How To Connect MIDI keyboard To Ableton Live - Step By Step | integraudio.com

You can search for sounds in the browser of Ableton Live. You can see on the top right that now the MIDI track has the same name as the preset under Synths Keys.

After loading an instrument, you’re ready to play your MIDI keyboard. To record a sequence, you have two options: 

1) From the arrangement screen, the armed midi channels will record all the notes you send by pressing the record button.

How To Connect MIDI keyboard To Ableton Live - Step By Step | integraudio.com

MIDI recording from the Arrangement view.

2) From the live session screen, you can press to record a midi clip; Ableton Live will record all the notes you play with your keyboard.

How To Connect MIDI keyboard To Ableton Live - Step By Step | integraudio.com

MIDI recording from the Session view.

By following these steps, you are ready to use your keyboard as a midi controller in Ableton Live. The process is very similar to other DAWs; you need to verify the MIDI settings within the software for proper operation.

How many MIDI devices can I connect to Ableton Live simultaneously?

With Ableton Live, you can connect up to 6 MIDI keyboards and devices to Ableton Live simultaneously, each one as a control surface. This way, you can assign several different functions to each keyboard. For example, you can use a keyboard to control a synthesizer and another to control a drum kit.

You can follow the previous steps to connect a second MIDI keyboard via a USB cable. After your second controller is already connected, let’s say you would like both MIDI keyboards to control each one a different MIDI track. First, you must correctly assign each keyboard’s MIDI signal to Ableton. 

Under the Midi From tab, select the keyboard you want to use on that specific MIDI track. You can even select a specific channel of that MIDI controller if you were to have more precise control, but let’s leave it on All Channels for now. Then, pick the other keyboard on the MIDI from the tab for the second MIDI track.

How To Connect MIDI keyboard To Ableton Live - Step By Step | integraudio.com

The MIDI track on the left is being controlled by my laptop keyboard, while a MIDI keyboard is controlling the MIDI track on the right.

If you want both tracks to be armed to record, click on both arm recording buttons while holding down CMD (Mac) / CTRL (Win). Now each MIDI keyboard can control the selected MIDI tracks separately.

How to fix out-of-tempo recorded notes

Due to latency, recording some notes that might be out of tempo is usual. However, a quick way to fix this issue on Ableton Live is using the quantize option. While selecting a MIDI clip you wish to correct, right-click on the piano roll and click quantize or CMD – U (Mac) / CTRL – U (Win).

After selecting a MIDI track, right-click on the piano roll and select quantize.

How To Connect MIDI keyboard To Ableton Live - Step By Step | integraudio.com

Quantize will correct the notes depending on the global launch quantization, which you can change on the top left options on the right:

How To Connect MIDI keyboard To Ableton Live - Step By Step | integraudio.com

For example, 1 Bar of global quantization is the most common one.

After selecting quantize on a MIDI clip, notes will be moved to the nearest bars, considering the global quantization. Although it’s handy, watch out because sometimes quantization might remove some swing that you recorded on purpose.

How To Connect MIDI keyboard To Ableton Live - Step By Step | integraudio.com

On the top: An unquantized MIDI recording. On the bottom: After quantizing the MIDI recording.

Conclusion

Connecting a MIDI keyboard to Ableton Live is a simple process. As you can see now, the essential point is to correctly define the MIDI preferences for your keyboard and what Ableton will do with the MIDI signal it receives. Then, finally, you’re ready to hit record and play after all the configuration.

With several MIDI keyboards connected simultaneously, you will have more control over Ableton MIDI tracks. However, don’t rush yourself into it. One is more than enough for playing like a pro using Ableton Live.

If you have problems due to latency, always remember the quantize option. Right-clicking on the piano roll of any MIDI track will let you select quantize for fixing any out-of-tempo notes. Even without latency problems, quantization might help but take caution to avoid abusing it. For example, it might kill some vibe by removing groove and swing played on purpose.

Readings that you may like: 

DAW Related:

Best DAWs For Musicians Available (With FREE DAWs)

How To Develop DAW Software?

What’s The Most CPU Efficient DAW? – 5 DAWs Compared

How To Make Music Without Using A DAW?

Pro Tools Guide: How To Use AutoTune & Pitch Correction?

Ableton Review: Is It Worth The Money? (Cons & Pros)

Logic Pro X Review: Is It Worth It? (Cons & Pros)

How To Use Auto-tune & Pitch Correction In Cubase?

How To Fix Ableton Crackling, Crashing & Freezing? Step By Step

 

Plugin Related:

What Are Audio Plugins? Different Types of Plugins Explained

What Are The Best Tools To Develop VST Plugins & How Are They Made?

Cost of Developing Audio VST Plugin: Several Factors (With Table)

VST, VST, AU and AAX – What’s The Difference? Plugin Formats Explained

Complete Guide To Noise Gate – What It Is, What It Does & How To Use It?

How To Clip My Drums? Here Is How & Audio Teasers (Before/After)

 

Complete Guide To Limiter: How To Use It (+ Best Plugins & Analog Limiters)

Mixing With Reverb: How To Add Life To Your Mixes

Linear Phase vs Minimum Phase EQ – Full Guide

Difference Between LUFS, RMS & True Peak Loudness Meters

How And When To Use Algorithmic And Convolution Reverb In Your Mix?

Difference Between Active EQ, Passive EQ and Dynamic EQ

 

Headphones & Studio Monitors:

Do headphones get worse with age?

Monitors vs Studio Headphones For Mixing & Mastering

Top 10 Room Calibration & Headphones/Speakers Correction Plugins 

Does Heat Damage Headphones?

Are Noise-Canceling Headphones Good For Music Production?

Can Headphones Break in Cold Weather?

Why do headphones & cables get sticky?

 

Can Wearing Headphones Cause Hair Loss?

How Do I know If My Studio Monitor Is Blown?

Side Effects Of Sleeping With Your Headphones On

Do You Need Music Amplifier For Studio Monitors or Studio Headphones?

Do Headphones or Earphones Damage Your Brain?

Can Headphones or Earphones cause Deafness or Toothache?

FarField, MidField & NearField Monitors – Their Uses, Pros & Cons

 

MIDI & Synths:

Should I Buy A MIDI Keyboard Or Synth? (Are Synths Worth It Anymore?)

Why Is Audio Gear So Expensive? (Especially Synths)

Top 12 Synth Brands – Analog, Digital & Modular Synth Manufacturers

11 Tips How To Choose MIDI Keyboard 

Should I Buy MIDI Controller Or Keyboard? Cons, Pros & Tips

 

Guitar/Amp Focused:

Can I Put Nylon Strings on a Steel-string Guitar?

Do Electric Guitars Sound Good Unplugged?

Buying Your First Guitar: 2 Things To Know

Are Tube Amps Worth It? (Tube vs Solid-State Amps)

How Often Does A Guitar Need a Setup?

Can I Play Classical Guitar On A Steel-String Guitar?

 

How often guitar necks need reset?

Can You Play Two Guitars Through One Amp?

Can a 6 String Bass Be Tuned Like A Guitar?

Can I leave My Guitar Tuned Down a Step? Yes, But Is It Safe?

Should I Learn 4, 5 Or 6 String Bass Guitar & Why?

How To Know If your Guitar Amp Is Broken?

How To Fix Distorted Bass Guitar Sound?

 

Do Fender Guitars Appreciate In Value?

Should You Put Stickers On A Bass Guitar?

How Acoustic And Electric Guitars Are Made?

Is Electric Guitar Too Loud for an Apartment?

Does a Preamp Improve Sound Quality?

If I Learn Acoustic Guitar Can I Play Electric Guitar?

How Many Hours A Day Should You Practice Bass Guitar?

Do I need an AMP/DAC To Run Bookshelf Speakers?

How to Record Electric Guitar Into Logic Pro X?

Do headphones get worse with age?

 

Recommended Gear:

Top 12 NearField Studio Monitors On Any Budget

Top 10 Midfield Studio Monitors For Home Recording

Best Biggest Studio Monitors (FarField Monitors)

Top 10 Guitar Pickups for Low Tunings 

Top 10 Analog Compressors For Mixing & Mastering (On Any Budget)

Top 12 USB Audio Interfaces Under 150$, 200$, 300$ 400$ (Any Budget)

 

Top 12 Hardware Equalizers (Analog EQs For Mixing & Mastering)

Top 6 Analog Hardware Limiters 

Top 6 Solid State Bass Amps (On Any Budget)

Top 6 Ribbon Mics On Any Budget (For Vocals, Drums & Guitars)

Top 6 Cheap Dynamic Mics For Vocals Under 50$, 100$, 200$ & 300$

 

Top 6 Chorus Guitar Pedals (On Any Budget)

6 Best 61-Key MIDI Keyboards (On Any Budget)

9 Best 49-Key MIDI Keyboards Under 100$ & 200$

Top 5 Best 25 Key MIDI Keyboards (On Any Budget)

Top 12 Acoustic Drums (Best Kits/Sets On Any Budget)

 

Plugin Roundups:

Genre Focused:

Top 10 EDM Plugins  (And 10 Best FREE Plugins For EDM)

Top 10 Plugins For TRAP Beats (And 5 Best FREE Trap Plugins)

20 Best Plugins For Rock Musicians (+ 6 FREE Plugins)

Top 14 Trance Plugins (Uplifting, Tech, Progressive, Vocal, Dream, Hard)

Top 10 GOA & PsyTrance Plugins (Best Psychedelic Trance Tools)

Top 7 Plugins For Dubstep (With 10 Best FREE Effects & Synths)

 

Top 20 Synthwave Plugins (+ 11 Best FREE Plugins)

Top 15 Plugins For Techno, House, Electro, Tech House, UK Garage

Top 6 Plugins For Latin Music  (And 4 FREE Tools)

Top 12 Plugins For Hip-Hop (+ Best Kontakt Libraries)

Top 7 Plugins For Game & Film Scoring  (+ 6 Best Kontakt Libraries)

Top 10 R&B And Pop Music Plugins & KONTAKT Libraries 

30 Best Free Plugins For DnB, EDM, IDM & Experimental Music 

 

EQ Plugins

Top 12 Free EQ Plugins For Precise Mixing & Mastering

Top 9 Mid/Side EQ Plugins  For Mixing & Mastering (+ 2 Free Tools)

Top 7 Graphic EQ Plugins  (With 3 Best Free EQs)

Top 7 EQ Plugins For Mastering In | And Best FREE Mastering EQs

Top 6 Passive EQ Plugins (Klevgrand, SPL, UAD, Waves, IK Multimedia)

Top 11 Plugins For Making Metal (Best Guitars, Drums & Effects)

 

Metering:

Top 5 Audio Metering Plugins (LUFS, RMS, LRA, True Peak)

Top 6 Spectrum Analyzer Plugins  – Spectral Analysis Tools

Top 6 Oscilloscope Plugins To See The Waveforms

Top 5 Key Detection Plugins & Software  (+ Best FREE App)

 

Kontakt Libraries

20 Best Kontakt Libraries For All Categories (Synths, Drums, Vocals)

Top 7 Drum Libraries For KONTAKT (And 4 Freebies)

Top 7 Trap Music Kontakt Libraries (And Best Lo-Fi Kontakt Library)

Top 7 Metal & Rock Kontakt Libraries (Best Guitars & Drums)

Top 10 Guitar Libraries For Kontakt (Acoustic, Electric, Bass & Freebies)

 

Top 7 Trailer Scoring Plugins & Kontakt Libraries 

20 Best Free KONTAKT Libraries For Various Instruments

Top 9 Piano Kontakt Sample Libraries  (And 5 Best Free Pianos)

Top 10 Percussion KONTAKT Libraries  (And 3 Freebies)

Top 7 Kontakt Libraries For Horror & Thriller Scoring (No VSTs)

 

Audio Restoration, Calibration & Utility:

Top 6 Noise Reduction Plugins (And 3 Best Free Tools)

6 Best Audio Restoration Plugins & Software 

Top 7 Phase Alignment Plugins To Fix Your Bass & Drums

Top 10 Room Calibration & Headphones/Speakers Correction Plugins 

 

Instrument Plugins: 

Top 6 Vocoder Plugins (Effects & Synths + FREE Vocoder)

11 Best Rhodes VST Plugins (AND 5 Free Rhodes Plugins)

Top 12 Randomizer Plugins Including FREE Plugins

Top 6 Kick Drum Plugins (Best Kick Designer Tools)

Top 12 Woodwind Plugins (And KONTAKT Libraries)

Top 10 Double Bass Plugins (Best Upright Basses)

Top 5 Strings VST Plugins (AND 4 Best Free Instruments)

 

Top 6 Sampler Plugins (And 3 Best FREE Plugins)

Top 6 Classical Guitar Plugins & Kontakt Libraries (And FREE Guitars)

Top 7 Wavetable Synth Plugins 

Top 12 Sub Plugins (Best 808 & Bass Tools For Massive Low End)

Top 10 Plugins On PluginBoutique (And 7 Best Free Plugins)

Top 11 Plugins On Plugin Alliance 

Top 7 Acoustic Guitar Plugins (And 4 Best Kontakt Libraries)

 

9 Best Bass Guitar Plugins (And 2 Best Freebies)

Top 6 Electric Guitar Plugins (Best PAID & FREE Picks)

Top 10 Arpeggiator VST Plugins (Best Synths, MIDI Effects & Tools)

Top 10 Modular Synth Plugins (And 3 Best FREE Plugins)

Top 6 Choir Plugins & Sample Libraries (And 3 Best Free Plugins)

11 Best Percussion & Drum VST Plugins (And FREE Plugins)

 

Top 8 Piano Plugins (Best Sounding Pianos & 5 FREE Piano Plugins)

Top 6 Organ Plugins Ever Made  (And 3 Best Free Organs)

Top 14 VST Plugins For Beginners (And 9 FREE Plugins)

Top 9 Drum Machine Plugins (And Groovebox Plugins)

4 Best Banjo Plugins (Best Banjo Instruments)

 

The 5 Best Ukulele Plugins & Kontakt Libraries 

Top 13 Synth Plugins (And 5 Best FREE Synths Plugins)

Top 13 Sequencer Plugins  (Synth, MIDI & Step Sequencers)

The 10 Best Multi-Effect Plugins (And 3 Best Free Plugins)

Top 12 Plugin Bundles For Musicians (Synths, Mixing & Mastering)

 

 

Processing & Sound Design:

8 Best Lo-Fi Plugins (PAID & FREE)

Top 11 Plugins For Mixing Vocals  (For Home Studio)

Top 12 Saturation Plugins (Best Mixing & Mastering Tools)

Top 6 Pitch Shifter Plugins (And 3 Best FREE Pitch Shifters)

Top 6 Chorus VST Plugins For Musicians (And 3 FREE Plugins)

 

Top 6 Limiter Plugins For Precise Mastering & Mixing

The 8 Best Filter Plugins For Precise Cuts & Boosts (+ 5 Free Filters)

6 Best Autotune Plugins To Improve & Enhance Your Vocals

Top 10 Transient Shaper Plugins (VST, AU, AAX)

Top 7 Enhancer Plugins (For Bass, Drums, Vocals & Harmonics)

 

Top 6 Flanger Plugins (And 5 Best FREE Flanger Emulators)

Top 7 Phaser Plugins (And 3 Best FREE Phasers)

Top 10 Plugins For Mixing Drums (And 3 Best Free Plugins)

Top 7 Bitcrusher Plugins (And 4 Best FREE Bitcrushers + 3 Bonuses)

Top 6 Plugins For Voice-Over & Dialogue Cleaning (Post Production)

Top 10 Stereo Imaging Plugins (Best Old & Modern Picks)

 

Top 5 Multiband Limiter Plugins 

Top 7 De-Esser Plugins For Better Vocals (And 4 FREE Plugins)

Top 7 Clipper Plugins (Best Limiter Alternatives)

Top 6 Chord Generator Plugins That Inspire Melodies (+ FREE Tools)

7 Best Exciter Plugins For Mixing & Mastering

Top 7 Channel Strip Plugins (And 2 Best Free Plugins)

 

Top 11 Distortion Plugins (And 4 Top Free Plugins)

Top 5 Comb Filter & Resonator Plugins | Melda, Kilohearts, Tritik

The 7 Best Vibrato VST Plugins | Audec, Audiority, Melda

The 7 Best Tremolo Plugins | Eventide, Melda, SoundToys, Kuassa…

The 7 Best Harmonizer Plugins | Eventide, Melda, Aegean Music

7 Best Sidechain Plugins (VST, AU, AAX) | Xfer, Cableguys..

 

Top 10 Noise Gate Plugins (And 6 FREE Free Gate Tools)

The 6 Best Ring Modulator VST Plugins | KiloHearts, Melda

7 Best Autopan VST Plugins | CableGuys, Melda, Waves, Soundtoys

The 6 Best Frequency Shifter VST Plugins

Top 11 Granulizer Plugins For Future Sound Design

29 Best Sound Design VST Plugins

 

Compressor Plugins

Top 11 Free Compressor Plugins (VCA, Vari-Mu, FET, Digital)

Top 7 Multiband Compressor Plugins (And 4 FREE Plugins)

Top 5 Diode-Bridge Compressor Plugins 

Top 6 Mastering Chain Plugins: Complete VST Solutions 

Top 10 FET Compressor Plugins 

The 7 Best VCA Compressor Plugins (VST, AU, AAX)

Top 11 Mastering Compressor Plugins (And 2 FREE Plugins)

Top 10 Opto Compressor Plugins For Transparent Sound

The 7 Best Vari-Mu Compressor Plugins (And 2 Best FREE Tools)

 

Reverb & Delay Plugins:

Top 12 Reverb Plugins (And 5 FREE Reverb Plugins)

The 6 Best Spring Reverb VST Plugins | AudioThing, GSi, u-he, Eventide

Top 12 Delay Plugins For Music Production In (VST, AU, AAX)

Top 10 FREE Delay Plugins (VST, AU, AAX)

The 10 Best Convolution Reverb Plugins 

 

Amps & Preamps:

Top 10 Guitar Amp Plugins (And 5 Best FREE Simulators)

Top 10 Bass Amp Plugins (And 5 Best Free Simulators)

Top 9 Preamp Plugins (For Vocals, Guitars & More!) + Free Preamps

Don`t copy text!
Scroll to Top