Pioneer Djm 250 Mk2 Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

Pioneer’s Djm 250 Mk2 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 Djm 250 Mk2 with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Djm 250 Mk2.

Article Contents

  1. Does the Pioneer Djm 250 Mk2 work with Ableton Live?
  2. Does the Pioneer Djm 250 Mk2 come with ableton Live included?
  3. How to connect the Djm 250 Mk2 to ableton
  4. How to midi map the Pioneer Djm 250 Mk2 in Ableton Live
  5. The Limitations of midi mapping the Djm 250 Mk2
    1. Saving your Djm 250 Mk2 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 Djm 250 Mk2 work with Ableton Live?

In short, yes, the Pioneer Djm 250 Mk2 is compatible with Ableton Live.

Despite the lack of a default MIDI remote script existing within Ableton Live, it is still possible to midi map the Djm 250 Mk2 to a variety of functions.

All versions of Ableton Live, Intro, Lite, standard and suite can be used in conjunction with pretty much any device which sends MIDI data, and it will work with all versions of Live such as 9, 10 and 11. As the Djm 250 Mk2 is a MIDI enabled device it will be fully compatible with Ableton.

Making your own midi mappings is a breeze with Ableton Live, which gives you the ability to control a lot of components of the software with your Djm 250 Mk2.

Does the Pioneer Djm 250 Mk2 come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite isn’t included with the Djm 250 Mk2, so this 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.

Ableton Live Suite includes many more Audio and MIDI effects compared to Standard, so if you want to ensure you have everything, we recommend going with Ableton Live Suite.

How to connect the Djm 250 Mk2 to ableton

Linking and configuring the Pioneer Djm 250 Mk2 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 Djm 250 Mk2 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Djm 250 Mk2 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 Djm 250 Mk2 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Djm 250 Mk2 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 Djm 250 Mk2 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Djm 250 Mk2 has been configured and is now ready for use with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

Once you have connected the Pioneer Djm 250 Mk2 to Ableton Live by following the steps above, you can now MIDI map the physical buttons, pads, keys etc on the device to the corresponding functions in 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 Djm 250 Mk2, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Djm 250 Mk2.
5. Moving the physical control on your Djm 250 Mk2 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 Djm 250 Mk2

Ableton’s midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly customize your Djm 250 Mk2, though it does have a few limitations to be mindful of…

Saving your Djm 250 Mk2 Midi Mappings is cumbersome

When saving an Ableton session, your mappings will be saved as part of that session. Therefore, if you create a new session, you will need to remap your controls.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

A one-to-one MIDI mapping means that each control on your Djm 250 Mk2 can only be assigned to a single Ableton Live parameter.

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 Djm 250 Mk2, 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 Djm 250 Mk2’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Djm 250 Mk2,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Djm 250 Mk2, 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 Djm 250 Mk2 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Djm 250 Mk2 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Djm 250 Mk2 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Djm 250 Mk2.
4. Make sure that the Djm 250 Mk2 is selected as the input device in Ableton’s MIDI Preferences.