Pioneer Djm S11 Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

Pioneer’s Djm S11 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.

In this tutorial you will learn everything you need to know about using the Pioneer Djm S11 with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Djm S11.

Article Contents

  1. Does the Pioneer Djm S11 work with Ableton Live?
  2. Does the Pioneer Djm S11 come with ableton Live included?
  3. How to connect the Djm S11 to ableton
  4. How to midi map the Pioneer Djm S11 in Ableton Live
  5. The Limitations of midi mapping the Djm S11
    1. Saving your Djm S11 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 S11 work with Ableton Live?

In summary, the Pioneer Djm S11 is usable with Ableton Live.

Despite the absence of a built-in MIDI remote script within Ableton Live, users can still use the Djm S11 to midi map to numerous functions in the software.

Any edition of Ableton Live, from Intro to Suite, will be compatible with any device that transmits MIDI data. This works for all editions of Live, for instance 9, 10, and 11. As the Djm S11 is a MIDI enabled device, it will work with Ableton Live.

You can create your own custom Ableton midi mappings easily, which allows you to control much of the functionality in Ableton Live with your Djm S11.

Does the Pioneer Djm S11 come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite is not provided with the Djm S11, 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’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 S11 to ableton

Connecting and setting up the Pioneer Djm S11 with Ableton Live is a relatively simple process, once you have the 2 linked together you will be able to control parameters of the software from your midi DJ controller.

1. Connect the Djm S11 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Djm S11 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 S11 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Djm S11 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 S11 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Djm S11 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 S11 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 S11, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Djm S11.
5. Moving the physical control on your Djm S11 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 S11

Ableton’s midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly customize your Djm S11, though it does have a few limitations to be mindful of…

Saving your Djm S11 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 button or knob on your Djm S11 can only be assigned to control a single parameter in Ableton Live.

Limited Ableton parameter options to map to

Unfortunately, Ableton’s internal midi mapping mode does not provide every control option, so options such as controlling the selected track or selected device aren’t possible. A full list of Ableton midi mapping options can be found here.

We have a great solution to these problems

If you’re looking to get the most out of your Djm S11, 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 S11’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Djm S11,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Djm S11, 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 S11 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Djm S11 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Djm S11 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 S11.
4. Make sure that the Djm S11 is selected as the input device in Ableton’s MIDI Preferences.