Using the Akai MPK-25 Controllers with Live

[Franksen]

Dear Live-Users,

I got a problem using the MPK-25 with Live. I want to use the knobs for controlling Faders etc.
Thats sounds simple ...pressing STRG+M -> Choose a Fader etc -> Move knob onto the Akai MPK-25
Thats it!
The problem is that the MPK-25 is sending controller data from 1-127, that means the fader is "juming" or "gliding".
I don´t know how to use the knobs as relative data. You can program the knobs onto the MPK-25 as INC/DEC, but the MPK-25 manual is very meager about programming INC/DEC.
I tried different settings within Live (e.g. while allocating a knob to a Fader etc. changing the modes in the lower left corner etc.) but nothing worked out.
I thing the solution should be within the programming of the MPK Knobs, but am not shure.

Maybe one of you can help or is using one of the MPKs with relative controller assigment.
thanks in advance

[yur2die4]

If the knob itself is programmed as a version of inc/dec, then when assigning as midi to a parameter, the bottom left corner of your Ableton Live should give you the option to choose the Type of midi controller you are using. (must be in the blue midi screen for this to appear)

[Franksen]

Really thanks for your quick reply.
The MPK-25 knob is in INC/DEC Mode.After choosing Page 2 of knobprogramming the Following appears:
NRPN 0 0
You can choose for both of the 0s data from 0-127 !!!!
Unfortunately the MPK manual don´t give any advice for programming MSB and LSB in that case.
And I used different RELATIVE-modes in the bottom left corner while assigning the knob.
I can´t imagine that so many users are working with an MPK Keyboard and Live and didn´t solve that

[yur2die4]

Oops! I didn't see that you had tried the different relative modes already. HMMM. I am rusty on continuous controllers, I will try to find some info.

[yur2die4]

Have you checked chapter 26.2.4 in the Ableton Live Reference Manual?.. it sounds annoying but maybe you could try experimenting with those numbers.. I wish i knew what I was talking about haha. good luck

[Franksen]

Just waking up
Yes, unfortunately I tried those numbers without success

[de wouzer]

I have the same thing, There is a takeover mode (value scaling" is oke, but i really thing "relative output" will be better... I hope someone can help us with this

[Franksen]

I think the problem is that the MPKs do not use "handshake" method.
Which means, the MPK sends data, but is not able to receive data from Ableon Live (no LED-Knobs)
MPK does not check the actual values of Abletons Knob-Settings.
My old Behringer BCR-2000 did that, and it was no problem to use it relative.

The only "solution" ist to use OPTIONS -> PREFERENCES -> MIDI Sync -> Takeover Mode: Value Scaling.

[de wouzer]

I think the problem is that the MPKs do not use "handshake" method.
Which means, the MPK sends data, but is not able to receive data from Ableon Live (no LED-Knobs)
MPK does not check the actual values of Abletons Knob-Settings.
My old Behringer BCR-2000 did that, and it was no problem to use it relative.

The only "solution" ist to use OPTIONS -> PREFERENCES -> MIDI Sync -> Takeover Mode: Value Scaling.

I also use Value Scaling
I think you don't need "handshaking" for relative output. The output only has to say "increase" or "decrease". If you want to use LED, like APC and BCR-2000, then you need these handshake.

So I don't really understand these rotatory knobs, if there is no relative output.

[dgill]

the theory is when you switch banks, there wont be any jumping of parameters.

in other words, knob 1 on bank a is set to 127, knob 1 on bank b is set to 64.

turn know 1 on bank a to 0, switch to bank b, the knob is still set to 64.

[malutki]

So I don't really understand these rotatory knobs, if there is no relative output.

+1
I am in exactly the same place MPK-wise as franksen:

please help us!

[jonnyH]

old thread resurrection!
did anyone ever find out how to make akai nrpn's work with live?
i just got an mpk61 and it seems like no one on the internet has figured it out.
thanks.
j

[ansiaaa]

I had the same concern about the rotary encoders a couple of months ago when I bought my MPK25.

I've written both to Akai and to those who created to software for the presets, I've written to Ableton, I've written to every forum regarding Ableton Live and to any certified trainer I could find on the Internet.

the solution is... use the Value Scaling setting in the Takeover Mode...

NOBODY knows how to program the MPK to send +1/-1 values. NOBODY.

and, anyway, that wouldn't have helped either because it would mean using a configuration in the MPK that Live doesn't support.

I know the Value Scaling setting in Live solves the problem, but why didn't they make the controller in the right way in the first place?
anyway it's not only Akai, the SL MKII has the same problem, as well as many other controllers... I can't undersand what's the point of making them like that...

[yur2die4]

Hey, the SL MKII works fine. It's 360 knobs are programmable in both the standard control mode and in Automap.

The problem with the Akai knobs is that they only do one thing, go from one amount to another. If it gets to the max, it does not send any further signal, same as with the minimum. It just halts. You cannot possibly program a relative controller if it stops sending signal after a certain point.

Even better is that these supposed '360' knobs have almost no way of informing you of the min/max other than the display. Blech.

[dentaku]

Yup, it's one of the things I've been disappointed about on my MPK49.
At least takeover mode works (unlike the Korg nanoKontrol) but it's still not perfect considering the MPK has encoders without stops.

Hey, the SL MKII works fine. It's 360 knobs are programmable in both the standard control mode and in Automap.

The problem with the Akai knobs is that they only do one thing, go from one amount to another. If it gets to the max, it does not send any further signal, same as with the minimum. It just halts. You cannot possibly program a relative controller if it stops sending signal after a certain point.

Even better is that these supposed '360' knobs have almost no way of informing you of the min/max other than the display. Blech.