Applies to: Launchkey MK4 Mini
Before proceeding, make sure to update the Launchkey's firmware to the latest version using Components: components.novationmusic.com
Launchkey MK4 Mini will be automatically detected by Ableton Live 11 or 12. If you need to manually set up your Launchkey, follow the steps below, depending on your Ableton Live and OS versions.
Windows
Live 12
Make sure to install the latest Novation USB Driver from the Launchkey MK4 Mini Downloads page:
downloads.novationmusic.com/novation
Once the driver has been installed successfully, with Ableton Live open and the Launchkey connected, go to:
Options > Settings > Link, Tempo & MIDI
Under the Control Surface section, select 'Launchkey Mini MK4':
Under the Input and Output sections, select the DAW ports - these will appear either as '(Port 2)' both for Input and Output, or 'MIDIIN2 (LKMK4 MIDI)' for Input and 'MIDIOUT2 (LKMK4 MIDI)' for Output (below shown for a Launchkey Mini 25):
Under the Track and Remote sections, the settings should match the following:
Enabling MPE for the Input Ports section means that all MIDI channels are in use, so it's not possible to set a track to discretely respond to one MIDI channel. For this reason, it is disabled in the above settings, but you may wish to enable it if using Polyphonic Aftertouch data from the pads.
If set up correctly, the DAW, Plugin, Mixer, Sends, and Transport pads light up when holding down the Shift button. The Live Control Surface selection should also appear in the Session view (below shown in red):
Live 11
Make sure to install the latest Novation USB Driver from the Launchkey MK4 Mini Downloads page:
downloads.novationmusic.com/novation
Once the driver has been installed successfully, with Ableton Live open and the Launchkey connected, go to:
Options > Preferences > Link Tempo MIDI
Under the Control Surface section, select 'Launchkey Mini MK4':
Under the Input and Output sections, select the DAW ports - these will appear either as '(Port 2)' both for Input and Output, or 'MIDIIN2 (LKMK4 MIDI)' for Input and 'MIDIOUT2 (LKMK4 MIDI)' for Output (below shown for a Launchkey Mini 25):
Under the Track and Remote sections, the settings should match the following:
Enabling MPE for the Input Ports section means that all MIDI channels are in use, so it's not possible to set a track to discretely respond to one MIDI channel. For this reason, it is disabled in the above settings, but you may wish to enable it if using Polyphonic Aftertouch data from the pads.
If set up correctly, the DAW, Plugin, Mixer, Sends, and Transport pads light up when holding down the Shift button. The Live Control Surface selection should also appear in the Session view (below shown in yellow):
Live 10 or earlier
Launchkey MK4 Mini will not function to its full potential in Live 10 or earlier, however, you can still use it as a generic MIDI controller, as per the steps below. Alternatively, you can install the included copy of Ableton Live 12 Lite for free for more advanced control: How to install and activate Ableton Live Lite
With Ableton Live open, go to the 'Link MIDI' tab in the Live Preferences:
Options > Preferences > Link MIDI
Then, match the MIDI settings below (here shown for a Launchkey Mini 25):
You can then use generic MIDI mappings in Live to map the controls of your Launchkey (e.g. encoders, faders, Transport buttons, etc) to the Live controls. See this Ableton Support article for reference: Making custom MIDI Mappings
Features that are not possible without the Ableton Live integration mainly include, but are not limited to; Clip Launching, Plugin control, and Capture MIDI.
macOS
Live 12
With Ableton Live open and the Launchkey connected, go to:
Live > Settings > Link, Tempo & MIDI
Under the Control Surface section, select 'Launchkey Mini MK4':
Under the Input and Output sections, select the DAW ports 'Launchkey Mini MK4 (DAW In)' and 'Launchkey Mini MK4 (DAW Out)' (below shown for a Launchkey Mini 37):
Under the Track and Remote sections, the settings should match the following:
Enabling MPE for the Input Ports section means that all MIDI channels are in use, so it's not possible to set a track to discretely respond to one MIDI channel. For this reason, it is disabled in the above settings, but you may wish to enable it if using Polyphonic Aftertouch data from the pads.
If set up correctly, the DAW, Plugin, Mixer, Sends, and Transport pads light up when holding down the Shift button. The Live Control Surface selection should also appear in the Session view (below shown in red):
Live 11
With Ableton Live open and the Launchkey connected, go to:
Live > Settings (Preferences) > Link Tempo MIDI
Under the Control Surface section, select 'Launchkey Mini MK4':
Under the Input and Output sections, select the DAW ports 'Launchkey MK4 (DAW In)' and 'Launchkey MK4 (DAW Out)' (below shown for a Launchkey Mini 37):
Under the Track and Remote sections, the settings should match the following:
Enabling MPE for the Input Ports section means that all MIDI channels are in use, so it's not possible to set a track to discretely respond to one MIDI channel. For this reason, it is disabled in the above settings, but you may wish to enable it if using Polyphonic Aftertouch data from the pads.
If set up correctly, the DAW, Plugin, Mixer, Sends, and Transport pads light up when holding down the Shift button. The Live Control Surface selection should also appear in the Session view (below shown in yellow):
Live 10 or earlier
Launchkey MK4 Mini will not function to its full potential in Live 10 or earlier, however, you can still use it as a generic MIDI controller as per the steps below. Alternatively, you can install the included copy of Ableton Live 12 Lite for free for more advanced control: How to install and activate Ableton Live Lite
With Ableton Live open, go to the 'Link MIDI' tab in the Live Preferences:
Live > Preferences > Link MIDI
Then, match the MIDI settings below (here shown for a Launchkey Mini 37):
You can then use generic MIDI mappings in Live to map the controls of your Launchkey (e.g. encoders, faders, Transport buttons, etc) to the Live controls. See this Ableton Support article for reference: Making custom MIDI Mappings
Features that are not possible without the Ableton Live integration mainly include, but are not limited to; Clip Launching, Plugin control, and Capture MIDI.
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