Pioneer Djm 450 Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

Pioneer’s Djm 450 is an exceptionally flexible midi DJ controller and is a powerful tool when is used with Ableton Live. This midi DJ controller has a plethora of features, making it perfect for Ableton Live.

This tutorial will teach you everything needed in order to use the Pioneer Djm 450 with Ableton Live, including the processes of linking, setting up and midi mapping the Djm 450.

Article Contents

Does the Pioneer Djm 450 work with Ableton Live?
Does the Pioneer Djm 450 come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Djm 450 to ableton
How to midi map the Pioneer Djm 450 in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Djm 450
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Pioneer Djm 450 work with Ableton Live?

In a nutshell, the Pioneer Djm 450 is able to work fully with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live does not come with a MIDI remote script, the Djm 450 can still be mapped to many of the software’s functions.

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 Djm 450 is a MIDI enabled tool, it will be completely compatible with Ableton Live.

You can create your own Ableton midi mappings with ease, giving you the power to control many of the features of Ableton Live with your Djm 450.

Does the Pioneer Djm 450 come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite is not included with the Djm 450, 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’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 Djm 450 to ableton

Linking and configuring the Pioneer Djm 450 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 450 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Djm 450 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 450 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Djm 450 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 450 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

Set up of the Djm 450 with Ableton Live is now complete.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After linking up the Pioneer Djm 450 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 Djm 450, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Djm 450.
5. Moving the physical control on your Djm 450 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 450

Ableton’s midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly customize your Djm 450, though it does have a few limitations to be mindful of…

Saving your Djm 450 Midi Mappings is cumbersome

Mappings are saved along with your Ableton session. Therefore, if a new session is created, you must re-map all of your controls.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

Through a one-to-one MIDI mapping, each control on your Djm 450 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 Djm 450, 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 450’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Djm 450,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Djm 450, 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 450 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Djm 450 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Djm 450 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 450.
4. Make sure that the Djm 450 is selected as the input device in Ableton’s MIDI Preferences.