Pioneer Djm T1 Ableton tutorial – connect, setup & midi map

The Pioneer Djm T1 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.

This tutorial will explain all you need to know on using the Pioneer Djm T1 with Ableton Live. This includes connecting, setting up and midi mapping the Djm T1.

Article Contents

Does the Pioneer Djm T1 work with Ableton Live?
Does the Pioneer Djm T1 come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Djm T1 to ableton
How to midi map the Pioneer Djm T1 in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Djm T1
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Pioneer Djm T1 work with Ableton Live?

To put it briefly, the Pioneer Djm T1 is compatible with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live doesn’t provide a default MIDI remote script within its software for it, the Djm T1 can still be midi mapped to many functions within the software.

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 T1 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 T1.

Does the Pioneer Djm T1 come with ableton Live included?

The Djm T1 does not have Ableton Live Lite, it must be purchased independently.

There are three main versions of Ableton Live: Intro, Standard and Suite. Even though Intro and Standard are both effective, Suite offers a lot more, including 70GB of library sounds, compared 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 T1 to ableton

Linking the Pioneer Djm T1 to Ableton Live is a simple process, and when you have them connected you can control the software’s parameters from your midi DJ controller.

1. Connect the Djm T1 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Djm T1 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 T1 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Djm T1 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 T1 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Djm T1 is now ready for use with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After you have connected the Pioneer Djm T1 to Ableton Live with the aforementioned steps, you can now use MIDI mapping to link up the physical knobs, pads, keys etc on the device to their corresponding features in Ableton Live:

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 T1, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Djm T1.
5. Moving the physical control on your Djm T1 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 T1

Ableton’s midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly customize your Djm T1, though it does have a few limitations to be mindful of…

Saving your Djm T1 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 T1 can only be assigned to 1 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 T1, 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 T1’s mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
– map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Djm T1,
– access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Djm T1, 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 T1 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Djm T1 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Djm T1 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 T1.
4. Make sure that the Djm T1 is selected as the input device in Ableton’s MIDI Preferences.