LK is a flexible remote control application for Ableton Live and MIDI devices, providing a wide range of features and functionality to enhance the production and live performance of electronic music. LK offers tight integration with Ableton Live using our free UBRIDGE desktop application, providing access and control of Ableton Live projects, with both wired and wireless connection options.
LK has extensive MIDI capabilities too, allowing for communication and control of any MIDI compliant software or hardware, even apps running on the same device thanks to virtual MIDI support and AUv3 integration too. LK is split into six unique modules, each available as a separate in-app purchase, offering great value that you can tailor to your specific needs.
LK is also capable of connecting with USB MIDI interfaces which allows you to interact with external gear.
To connect LK to your host computer you will need to download and install a free software utility called UBRIDGE on your computer. It is available for Windows and macOS and it can be downloaded from Imaginando website. See our setup guide for further details in LK’s product page.
MATRIX MODULE
- Live Mode - In Live mode, you can control almost every aspect of Ableton Live directly from LK. The app mirrors your session view, allowing you to launch clips, add tracks and scenes, arm, solo, and mute tracks, and adjust track monitoring, volume, pan, and cue settings on the master track. You can create and edit clips with the powerful built-in clip composer, featuring tools like scales, swing, humanize, horizontal and vertical mirroring, time-shifting notes, pitch swapping, transposing, and even chord and melody generation within a defined range. LK also enables device control within each track, offering a range of generic layouts for quick access and instant parameter adjustments, so you can modify settings without needing to interact directly with your computer.
- MIDI Mode - In MIDI mode, LK enhances workflow with a flexible, independent sequencing environment for streamlined composition and arrangement. Users can create and manage MIDI clips per track, arrange scenes, and send MIDI to other software or hardware. When loaded as an AUv3 in hosts like AUM, LK sequences and coordinates various instruments, perfect for complex setups and live performances. Essential editing tools like signatures, scales and transformative tools simplify MIDI editing, while automation and generative tools enable dynamic compositions. Follow actions and probability settings further smooth transitions, making performance arrangements seamless and spontaneous—all within a single, powerful interface.
PADS MODULE
- Get the MPC feel on your touchscreen with PADS, featuring an arpeggiator and a chorder. When working in Ableton Live mode it automatically maps drum rack pad names to each pad on the app - never miss a pad again. Use it in MIDI mode to quickly play other synth apps.
CONTROLLER MODULE
- Extensive control of 128 parameters with CONTROLLER. Use assignable and customisable knobs, faders, buttons and pads to control MIDI hardware, desktop and mobile DAWs - now with the power of AUv3 integration too.
X/Y MODULE
- Three dimensional parameter tweaking with X/Y PAD. This module can work with CC or NOTE events. In CC mode, a CC can be assigned per axis. In NOTE mode, X is pitch, Y is velocity and Z is Note ON/ Note OFF.
CHORDER MODULE
- Play chords like never before with the CHORDER module. Use this chord generator to build chords and lay them out according to your needs.
KEYBOARD MODULE
- KEYBOARD features 3-axis expression capabilities with scale and range controls. It also allows the possibility of mapping any Live or MIDI CC parameters to be controlled by the X and Y position within each of the keys, providing additional expression to the performance. It also has an MPE mode so you can use it with your favorite MPE compatible synths.
Massive W! One of the last ones of its kind but rightfully the best
ARTiL1S
This is a ‘tailor made’ app for Ableton Live and it works exactly as advertised.I was one of the ones mad about having to purchase every feature separately but then it immediately made sense.They let you try every midi controllers to its fullest and gives you the option to buy it. This idea is godsend! You won’t find this specific behaviour in that many apps (I don’t know about a single one).Now let’s talk about the features. Let me just say I purchased each and every feature set they had to offer even though I only end up using only half of it. Why? Quality! Aaand maybe I wanted to support the developers seeing how approachable they are, willing to help every troubled users. And the app, well every single thing just works!Or do they?Well, like with every other midi controller apps, this one also suffers from the occasional hiccups when connecting to your computer for the first time. For example: I can’t connect mine wirelessly anymore even though I was able to before iOS 16 came out.Other than that, this as good as it gets. You have nothing to lose, download and try it! Buy if you like it. Simple as that. You won’t find another equivalent app that can top this. And the devs are actual human beings who will reach out and help you if you face any issues.
Developer Response
From all of the human beings on Team Imaginando - thank you so much! Such an awesome review, and it's great to hear some people out there 'get' the fact the pricing structure is designed to actually help them spend LESS! We wish everyone had such a thoughtful and considered approach when trying and reviewing our software - thank you for supporting Imaginando - you rock!
Good so far — please improve fader smoothness!
Beguinne
LK as an iPad controller for Ableton Live is superb. The two-way control script works well and USB connection through UBRIDGE has been solid after I got over the initial setup (I found that some USB ports on my Windows computer would drop the connection to my iPad and so I had to try a few different ones). The big mark I have against LK right now is that, at least in Live mode, all of the faders and pots feel too choppy! It’s almost like the controls have less than the standard 7 bits of resolution, though I know this to be false since I can scroll through all 128 values of a macro if I move a control very slowly. But when moving a control with some speed, you get audible stepping when doing certain volume fades or filter sweeps, which is a shame. Controls in TouchOSC for example don’t suffer from this nearly as much. If fader smoothness improves in the future, LK will be a formidable live/DJ tool and get an instant five stars from me for the Matrix alone (plus bonus points if 14 bit control is added!). Some other suggestions: - support double tapping a control to reset to default value in Controller; - add a preference for “relative” fader controls a la TouchOSC, to prevent instantaneous parameter jumps; - on Windows, add a built-in virtual MIDI port to UBRIDGE to remove the need for a third-party MIDI routing app (the TouchOSC desktop app does this for example). Keep up the good work!
Developer Response
Thank you very much for your review and for your well thought suggestions.The most recent beta version of LK already has relative fader controls, so you can expect that feature to be available once the new version comes out.I'll add the other quests to LK list for future discussion.Thank you once again!
Love this app Need CC’s
Obis11
I’ve been using this app for a little while now and it is so useful. I mainly use the matrix for triggering notes in AUM. I have plenty of tools for automating and modulating CC’s like MLFO for example, but there are times when I just need to record CC’s from a midi controller. In this case, I end up needing to use Atom 2 for example. And if I’m going to use Atom 2 I almost feel like I don’t want to use yet another app like LK to sequence notes when I can already sequence notes and CC’s in Atom 2. I prefer the Ableton clip launching style that LK uses, but sometimes it’s just too many apps when I need to also automate CC’s. I love this app. I use it most of the time,.. but not all the time. Not when I’m really serious about recording my final mix. I would be ecstatic if this feature was added. You have a fantastic application here. It’s an (mostly) essential application for me.
Developer Response
Thank you for your review and feedback. LK already supports CC messages within its clips. Have you checked the Velocity, Probability, and Automations sections of the LK manual under the Matrix page?https://www.imaginando.pt/products/lk-ableton-live-and-midi-controller/help/matrixYou can enable Automation mode, where you can add CC lanes and draw automation nodes for each lane. When you play a clip, the automations are sent along with the notes. You can also record automations from external sources.Apart from automations, you can also use Clip Actions to send CC automations. Just long-press a clip and tap Clip Actions to access them.If you have any questions about automations, please feel free to reach out to us through our website that we will happily assist you.Best regards
Absolutely Incredible
TuckerWrightMaris
This app is magnificent. I am currently without any music-making hardware, so the MIDI keyboard and pads features are a godsend. The latency isn’t great over WiFi but with a simple usb connection from your iPhone/iPad to your computer it works beautifully. All the features of this app are amazing and I’m stoked to start working with it. I have a small iPhone so I might have to get an iPad just for this! The potential applications for live performance are already getting me excited. Perhaps the best part is the fact that you can pay for only the features you need, so you’re not buying a $20 app with a bunch of unnecessary stuff, depending on what you’re trying to do with it. Best music production-related app I’ve seen in a very long time, highly recommended.
Developer Response
Thank you for such an awesome review! We're really happy to hear that you are enjoying LK; feedback like this means so much to us and is very much appreciated.
- Added clip speed setting
- Fixed knob value labels in the module settings panel
- Fixed composer division node when changing clip's signature denominator
- Fixed module channel setting scrolling
- Fixed module lower panel layout in phone
- Fixed Midi Pads expressiveness layout in phone
- Fixed clip signature handling in phone
Version 1.14.2
The developer, Imaginando Lda, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
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