Pioneer Ddj Rb Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

Pioneer’s Ddj Rb is an incredibly multi-faceted midi controller and is a powerful addition to any Ableton Live setup. This midi DJ controller has a wealth of features that make it ideal for use with Ableton Live.

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

Article Contents

  1. Does the Pioneer Ddj Rb work with Ableton Live?
  2. Does the Pioneer Ddj Rb come with ableton Live included?
  3. How to connect the Ddj Rb to ableton
  4. How to midi map the Pioneer Ddj Rb in Ableton Live
  5. The Limitations of midi mapping the Ddj Rb
    1. Saving your Ddj Rb Midi Mappings is cumbersome
    2. Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one
    3. Limited Ableton parameter options to map to
    4. A great solution to these problems
  6. Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Pioneer Ddj Rb work with Ableton Live?

To sum it up, the Pioneer Ddj Rb is fully compatible with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live doesn’t provide a default MIDI remote script within its software for it, the Ddj Rb can still be midi mapped to many functions within the software.

All versions of Ableton Live, from Intro to Suite, are able to be utilized in collaboration with any equipment that sends MIDI data. This is applicable to all releases of Live, such as 9, 10, and 11. As the Ddj Rb is a MIDI enabled tool, it will be completely compatible with Ableton Live.

You can create your own custom Ableton midi mappings easily, which allows you to control much of the functionality in Ableton Live with your Ddj Rb.

Does the Pioneer Ddj Rb come with ableton Live included?

The Ddj Rb does not have Ableton Live Lite, it must be purchased independently.

There are three main versions with Ableton Live: Intro, Standard and Suite. Though Intro and Standard are both comprehensive, Suite offers much more, such as 70GB of library sounds, in comparison 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 Ddj Rb to ableton

Connecting the Pioneer Ddj Rb 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 Ddj Rb to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Ddj Rb 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 Ddj Rb from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Ddj Rb 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.

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

The Ddj Rb is now ready for use with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After you have connected the Pioneer Ddj Rb to Ableton Live with the aforementioned steps, you can now use MIDI mapping to link up the physical knobs, pads, keys etc on the device to their corresponding features in Ableton Live:

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 Ddj Rb, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Ddj Rb.
5. Moving the physical control on your Ddj Rb 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 Ddj Rb

With Ableton’s midi mapping system, you can swiftly map your Ddj Rb, however, you must be aware of a few restrictions…

Saving your Ddj Rb Midi Mappings is cumbersome

It is important to note that your mappings are stored with the Ableton session when saving. Consequently, when you create a new session, you will have to remap your controls again.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

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

Limited Ableton parameter options to map to

Ableton’s internal midi mapping mode is unfortunately missing many control options. Options such as selected track and selected device control aren’t possible using this method. You can see a list of all available Ableton midi mapping options here.

We have a great solution to these problems

If you’re looking to get the most out of your Ddj Rb, 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 Ddj Rb’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Ddj Rb,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Ddj Rb, 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 Ddj Rb in Ableton Live?

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