Can Ableton read MIDI messages on channels 1b-16b?

[Underground Attic]

My akai mpk49 can send midi messages on midi channels 1a-16a and 1b-16b and i went to the trouble of setting up the device to send messages on all channels because i could use the space. to my surprise today i found that ableton only recognizes messages up to channel 16a and none of the b channels can be read. my question is, is this function (or lack there of) set in stone or is there a way i can make ableton see these b channel messages. A positive outcome seems unlikely but if anyone has any ideas or suggestions they would really be appreciated and if it helps i do own Bomes MIDI Translator though i've had my frustrations with that software as well.

[yur2die4]

I think that A and B are actually two different MIDI Outs from your Akai.

Your MIDI Preferences may show multiple instances of the Akai controller under "Inputs". I am betting that either one does A or B. The really nice thing about this is that you can use it with multiple software at once. So like, if you had a standalone of Native Instruments Battery running while Ableton Live is running, You could have A go to Ableton, and B go to Battery (funny how I chose two programs with the same letters haha).

[jestermgee]

Yep, that's correct.

MIDI is 16 channels. No A/B etc. I have an MPD32 and that requires 3 channels to send all the data on. Typically, if you are creating custom maps on the controller you can set the pads to transmit on different channels foe every bank and control different instruments or effects just by switching banks. Alternatively, such as the previous poster said, rout to different software or even across MIDI cables to different hardware or PCs connected.

IMO it's no different than most MIDI keyboards having a global MIDI channel button except you have to pre-program the channels you want to use and they are on discrete inputs meaning the things take up 2-3 MIDI channel slots instead of 1.

[Underground Attic]

Thanks that sort of helps i had each of the mpk's presets running on different midi channels and when i went to map b channel values Ableton would not complete the map in MM mode. pan in my ass but now im just filling up all the available values in channels CC-16 if figure since there are 2,159 of them (17x127) i can find a use for all of them, i have to tip toe around the messages that my APC40 sends so im having fun with my Vyzex MPK49 Software for the next 8 hours (NOT!!).

ps. that is interesting if i somehow find a use for each of the 2000+ values in cc-16a its nice to know that there may still be some practicality to opening up all my b channels too but i would like to know more!!