Pioneer Djm 750mk2 Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

Pioneer’s Djm 750mk2 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 750mk2 with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Djm 750mk2.

Article Contents

  1. Does the Pioneer Djm 750mk2 work with Ableton Live?
  2. Does the Pioneer Djm 750mk2 come with ableton Live included?
  3. How to connect the Djm 750mk2 to ableton
  4. How to midi map the Pioneer Djm 750mk2 in Ableton Live
  5. The Limitations of midi mapping the Djm 750mk2
    1. Saving your Djm 750mk2 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 750mk2 work with Ableton Live?

To sum it up, the Pioneer Djm 750mk2 is fully compatible with Ableton Live.

Despite the absence of a built-in MIDI remote script within Ableton Live, users can still use the Djm 750mk2 to midi map to numerous functions in the software.

All editions of Ableton Live, from Intro to Suite, can be used with any device that sends out MIDI data. This is the case for all versions of Live, 9, 10, or 11. Seeing as the Djm 750mk2 is a MIDI capable device, it is fully suited to function with Ableton Live.

You can easily create midi mappings for Ableton, allowing you to access many functions of Ableton Live with your Djm 750mk2.

Does the Pioneer Djm 750mk2 come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite is not provided with the Djm 750mk2, so it needs to be purchased 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 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 Djm 750mk2 to ableton

Linking and configuring the Pioneer Djm 750mk2 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 750mk2 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Djm 750mk2 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 750mk2 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Djm 750mk2 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 Djm 750mk2 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Djm 750mk2 is all set and can now be used with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

Upon making a successful connection between the Pioneer Djm 750mk2 and Ableton Live using the instructions above, you can now use MIDI mapping to allocate the physical knobs, pads, keys etc on the device to their respective functions in Ableton Live like this:

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 750mk2, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Djm 750mk2.
5. Moving the physical control on your Djm 750mk2 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 750mk2

Ableton’s midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly map your Djm 750mk2, there are however, some limitations to be aware of…

Saving your Djm 750mk2 Midi Mappings is cumbersome

Saving your mappings can be a problem as mappings are saved with an Ableton session, so if you start a new session you will need to re-map your controls again.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

With a one-to-one MIDI mapping, each control on your Djm 750mk2 can only be assigned to a single parameter in Ableton Live.

Limited Ableton parameter options to map to

Unfortunately, Ableton’s internal midi mapping mode does not include every control options, options such as selected track control and selected device control unfortunately aren’t possible. You can view a comprehensive list of all 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 750mk2, 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 750mk2’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Djm 750mk2,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Djm 750mk2, 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 750mk2 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Djm 750mk2 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Djm 750mk2 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 750mk2.
4. Make sure that the Djm 750mk2 is selected as the input device in Ableton’s MIDI Preferences.