Note MIDI Input

Note Version: 1.0.11 and later

Ableton Note supports MIDI input from MIDI controllers via USB or Bluetooth, from other iOS apps, and via macOS virtual MIDI network. Learn more in the Ableton Note manual. 

Compatible MIDI controllers

Connecting a MIDI controller with Note

Recording MIDI input

Types of MIDI Input
MIDI Mapping

Compatible MIDI controllers

Note works with any class-compliant MIDI controller or keyboard, over either USB or Bluetooth. Class-compliant MIDI controllers don’t require installing software drivers to work with macOS / iOS. The majority of MIDI keyboards are class compliant on macOS / iOS.

USB Powered Devices
Certain MIDI controllers require more power than iPhone or iPad can provide. These can be connected using a powered USB hub.

Connecting a MIDI controller with Note

Note supports both Bluetooth MIDI Controllers and wired controllers. 

To connect to a Bluetooth controller:
• Open Note
• Go to Settings → MIDI Settings → Input

• Tap on "Connect to Bluetooth”

• Select the device from the list of discovered Bluetooth MIDI Devices. Note will automatically discover any new devices connected while the app is open.

To connect via USB:

Wired USB Controllers can be connected via the USB-C port on certain iPads. Other iOS devices require a USB-Lightning adapter, available from Apple and online electronics and audio/video retailers. Adapters with additional power input are also available.

To allow input from other apps:

You can enable MIDI input from chord creators, arpeggiators, and other iOS music apps. To get MIDI input into Note from another iOS app on the same device, simply open the other app and it will automatically appear in the list of available devices on the MIDI Input page in Note. Enable the other iOS app for use with Note using its toggle. You may need to go into the settings of the other app to make sure that sending out MIDI signals is enabled.

To allow input via Network:

MIDI input can also be enabled via macOS virtual MIDI network. For instructions on how to set this up, see Setting up a virtual MIDI network.

Recording MIDI input

To input notes from a MIDI Keyboard, in your Note Set, open the desired track into which you’d like to input notes. The selected track will be armed automatically for MIDI input from your connected MIDI device or app. To select a different track for input, return to Session View and open a different track.

Recording MIDI input in Note follows the same workflow as using the screen to input notes, via Capture. For more information, see Capture in Note.

Types of MIDI Input

Note’s MIDI input feature enables you to play the musical instruments inside of Note. The following types of input are recorded:
• Pitch
• Note Length
• Velocity
• Sustain

The following are not currently supported:
• MPE 
• Pitch-Bend
• Aftertouch

MIDI Mapping

You can use knobs or faders on your MIDI controller to control up to 8 macros in Note. Certain actions, including Capture, Start / Stop, and Undo, can also mapped to keys, pads or buttons.

To open Mapping in Note, open Settings using the three-dot menu at bottom-left, then choose MIDI Settings > Mapping. To create a new mapping, tap a macro dial in Note and tweak a parameter on your connected controller, or tap a "Map" button in Note and press a button on your controller.