Denon Dn Sc2000 Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

The Dn Sc2000 from Denon is an incredibly versatile midi DJ controller and is a powerful tool when used in combination with Ableton Live. The Akai MPK Mini has a wealth of features that make it perfect for use with Ableton Live.

In this tutorial you will learn everything you need to know about using the Denon Dn Sc2000 with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Dn Sc2000.

Article Contents

Does the Denon Dn Sc2000 work with Ableton Live?
Does the Denon Dn Sc2000 come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Dn Sc2000 to ableton
How to midi map the Denon Dn Sc2000 in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Dn Sc2000
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Denon Dn Sc2000 work with Ableton Live?

In a nutshell, the Denon Dn Sc2000 is able to work fully with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live does not come with a MIDI remote script, the Dn Sc2000 can still be mapped to many of the software’s functions.

All editions of Ableton Live, from Intro to Suite, can be used with any device that sends out MIDI data. This is the case for all versions of Live, 9, 10, or 11. Seeing as the Dn Sc2000 is a MIDI capable device, it is fully suited to function with Ableton Live.

You can easily create midi mappings for Ableton, allowing you to access many functions of Ableton Live with your Dn Sc2000.

Does the Denon Dn Sc2000 come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite is not included with the Dn Sc2000, therefore it must be bought separately.

There are three main versions of Ableton Live: Intro, Standard and Suite. Although Intro and Standard are both powerful, Suite offers extra features, such as 70GB of library sounds, in contrast to Standard’s 10GB.

If you prefer to have all the Audio and MIDI effects, we recommend getting Ableton Live Suite, because it comes with much more of them than the Standard edition.

How to connect the Dn Sc2000 to ableton

Connecting the Denon Dn Sc2000 with Ableton Live is pretty simple, and when the two are linked you’ll be able to adjust the software’s parameters from your midi DJ controller.

1. Connect the Dn Sc2000 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Dn Sc2000 and your computer.
2. Launch Ableton Live and open the MIDI preferences.
Double click the Ableton Live icon to launch the software. Then, in the top menu of Ableton, go to the Preferences menu by opening the ‘Live’ menu and clicking ‘Preferences’.
3. Select the Dn Sc2000 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Dn Sc2000 are checked.
4. Ensure that the proper ‘Track’, ‘Remote’ and ‘Sync’ boxes are checked for both input and output.

Track: When checked, this allows MIDI notes and CC messages to be sent/received.
Sync: This option enables MIDI clock syncing between Ableton live and the external device.
Remote: Allows external MIDI controllers to remotely control parameters within Ableton Live.

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In the ‘MIDI’ section of this tab, make sure the ‘Track’ and ‘Remote’ boxes are checked for both the Input and Output of the Dn Sc2000 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

Set up of the Dn Sc2000 with Ableton Live is now complete.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After linking up the Denon Dn Sc2000 to Ableton Live using the steps provided, you can now assign the physical buttons, pads, keys etc on the device to specific functions within Ableton Live via MIDI mapping as follows:

1. Select the MIDI Map Mode button in the top right corner of the Live window. The button should turn orange, indicating that the MIDI Map Mode is enabled.
2. Select the parameter you wish to control in Ableton by clicking it with the cursor, the parameter will become highlighted.
3. Move a control on the Dn Sc2000, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Dn Sc2000.
5. Moving the physical control on your Dn Sc2000 will now move the position of the corresponding parameter in Ableton.
6. Repeat steps 2 – 4 for any other parameters you wish to map.
7. When you’re finished mapping, press the MIDI Map Mode button again to disable it.

The Limitations of midi mapping the Dn Sc2000

For the fastest way to map your Dn Sc2000, you can’t go wrong with Ableton’s midi mapping system, but make sure you take into account these limitations…

Saving your Dn Sc2000 Midi Mappings is cumbersome

Saving your mappings can be a problem as mappings are saved with an Ableton session, so if you start a new session you will need to re-map your controls again.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

Through a one-to-one MIDI mapping, each control on your Dn Sc2000 can only be assigned to 1 parameter in Ableton Live.

Limited Ableton parameter options to map to

When using Ableton’s internal midi mapping mode, unfortunately now all options are available, controls such as selected track and selected device control aren’t currently possible. View a full list of Ableton midi mapping options here.

We have a great solution to these problems

If you’re looking to get the most out of your Dn Sc2000, our Ableton Midi Script Creator tool ‘Control Surface Studio‘ is exactly what you need!
With it, you’ll be able to:
– save and re-use your Dn Sc2000’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Dn Sc2000,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Dn Sc2000, than Live’s internal midi mapping mode allows.

Learn more about Control Surface Studio and see how it can help you by clicking here!

FAQ / Troubleshooting

Why can’t I hear my Dn Sc2000 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Dn Sc2000 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Dn Sc2000 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Dn Sc2000.
4. Make sure that the Dn Sc2000 is selected as the input device in Ableton’s MIDI Preferences.