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

The Pioneer Ddj Wego is a versatile midi DJ controller and when used alongside Ableton Live, it’s an incredible tool filled with potential. This midi DJ controller is equipped with plenty of features that make it the perfect companion to Ableton Live.

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

Article Contents

  1. Does the Pioneer Ddj Wego work with Ableton Live?
  2. Does the Pioneer Ddj Wego come with ableton Live included?
  3. How to connect the Ddj Wego to ableton
  4. How to midi map the Pioneer Ddj Wego in Ableton Live
  5. The Limitations of midi mapping the Ddj Wego
    1. Saving your Ddj Wego 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 Wego work with Ableton Live?

In summary, the Pioneer Ddj Wego is usable with Ableton Live.

The lack of a MIDI remote script in Ableton Live does not restrict users from midi mapping the Ddj Wego to multiple functions inside the program.

All forms of Ableton Live, Intro, Lite, Standard and Suite, can work with practically any instrument that sends out MIDI data, and it will be compatible with all versions of Live such as 9, 10 and 11. Due to this, the Ddj Wego will be usable with Ableton Live.

Creating your own midi mappings in Ableton is simple, and gives you the ability to control a variety of Ableton Live’s components with your Ddj Wego.

Does the Pioneer Ddj Wego come with ableton Live included?

The Ddj Wego doesn’t come with a copy of Ableton Live Lite, so this would need to be purchased separately.

Ableton Live has 3 main versions, Intro, Standard and Suite. Whilst Intro and Standard are very capable pieces of software, the Suite version packs more in, such as over 70GB of library sounds compared to Standard’s 10GB.

If you’re looking to make sure you have the full range of Audio and MIDI effects, we suggest you go with Ableton Live Suite, as it has far more than the Standard edition.

How to connect the Ddj Wego to ableton

Linking and configuring the Pioneer Ddj Wego to Ableton Live is not too complicated, and once you have them paired together you can control the software’s settings from your midi DJ controller.

1. Connect the Ddj Wego to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Ddj Wego 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 Wego from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Ddj Wego 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 Wego (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Ddj Wego will now be setup and ready to use with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After successfully connecting the Pioneer Ddj Wego to Ableton live following the steps above, you can now MIDI map the physical knobs, pads, keys etc on the device to functionality within Ableton Live by doing the following:

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

Ableton’s midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly map your Ddj Wego, there are however, some limitations to be aware of…

Saving your Ddj Wego 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

A one-to-one MIDI mapping means that each button or knob on your Ddj Wego can only be assigned to control a single parameter in Ableton Live.

Limited Ableton parameter options to map to

Unfortunately, Ableton’s internal midi mapping mode does not provide every control option, so options such as controlling the selected track or selected device aren’t possible. A full list of Ableton midi mapping options can be found here.

We have a great solution to these problems

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

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Ddj Wego is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Ddj Wego 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 Wego.
4. Make sure that the Ddj Wego is selected as the input device in Ableton’s MIDI Preferences.