Pioneer Djm 900nxs2 Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

Pioneer’s Djm 900nxs2 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.

This tutorial will show you the whole process of how to operate the Pioneer Djm 900nxs2 with Ableton Live. It will cover the steps of connecting, setting up and midi mapping the Djm 900nxs2.

Article Contents

Does the Pioneer Djm 900nxs2 work with Ableton Live?
Does the Pioneer Djm 900nxs2 come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Djm 900nxs2 to ableton
How to midi map the Pioneer Djm 900nxs2 in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Djm 900nxs2
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Pioneer Djm 900nxs2 work with Ableton Live?

To put it briefly, the Pioneer Djm 900nxs2 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 900nxs2 to a variety of functions.

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 900nxs2 is a MIDI capable device, it is fully suited to function 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 900nxs2.

Does the Pioneer Djm 900nxs2 come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite isn’t included with the Djm 900nxs2, so this must be bought separately.

There are three main versions of Ableton Live: Intro, Standard and Suite. Whilst Intro and Standard are highly functional, Suite includes an additional 70GB library of sounds, in comparison to Standard’s 10GB.

For those who want to guarantee they have access to the largest selection of Audio and MIDI effects, we suggest investing in Ableton Live Suite, as it has a much larger selection than the Standard edition.

How to connect the Djm 900nxs2 to ableton

Connecting and setting up the Pioneer Djm 900nxs2 with Ableton Live is a simple task, after they’re connected you’ll be able to adjust the software’s parameters from your midi DJ controller.

1. Connect the Djm 900nxs2 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Djm 900nxs2 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 900nxs2 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Djm 900nxs2 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 900nxs2 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Djm 900nxs2 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 900nxs2 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 900nxs2, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Djm 900nxs2.
5. Moving the physical control on your Djm 900nxs2 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 900nxs2

For the fastest way to map your Djm 900nxs2, you can’t go wrong with Ableton’s midi mapping system, but make sure you take into account these limitations…

Saving your Djm 900nxs2 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

Through a one-to-one MIDI mapping, each control on your Djm 900nxs2 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 900nxs2, 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 900nxs2’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Djm 900nxs2,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Djm 900nxs2, 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 900nxs2 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Djm 900nxs2 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Djm 900nxs2 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 900nxs2.
4. Make sure that the Djm 900nxs2 is selected as the input device in Ableton’s MIDI Preferences.