Pioneer Djm 750 Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

The Pioneer Djm 750 is a highly versatile midi controller and is a powerful instrument when used in combination with Ableton Live. This midi DJ controller has a great selection of features that make it perfect for your Ableton Live setup.

In this tutorial you will learn everything you need to know about using the Pioneer Djm 750 with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Djm 750.

Article Contents

Does the Pioneer Djm 750 work with Ableton Live?
Does the Pioneer Djm 750 come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Djm 750 to ableton
How to midi map the Pioneer Djm 750 in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Djm 750
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Pioneer Djm 750 work with Ableton Live?

To put it briefly, the Pioneer Djm 750 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 750 to a variety of 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 750 is a MIDI enabled tool, it will be completely compatible 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 Djm 750.

Does the Pioneer Djm 750 come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite isn’t included with the Djm 750, so this must be bought 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.

For those seeking the full range of Audio and MIDI effects, we highly suggest purchasing Ableton Live Suite, as it offers significantly more than the Standard edition.

How to connect the Djm 750 to ableton

Connecting the Pioneer Djm 750 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 Djm 750 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Djm 750 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 750 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Djm 750 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 750 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Djm 750 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 750 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 750, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Djm 750.
5. Moving the physical control on your Djm 750 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 750

Ableton’s midi mapping system is a great solution for quickly mapping your Djm 750, however, you must take into account some potential limitations…

Saving your Djm 750 Midi Mappings is cumbersome

Be aware that when saving your mappings, they will be stored with the Ableton session. Therefore, starting a new session will require you to re-map your controls.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

A one-to-one MIDI mapping means that each control on your Djm 750 can only be assigned to a single Ableton Live parameter.

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 750, 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 750’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Djm 750,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Djm 750, 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 750 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Djm 750 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Djm 750 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 750.
4. Make sure that the Djm 750 is selected as the input device in Ableton’s MIDI Preferences.