Denon Dn X1600 Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

Denon's Dn X1600 is a fantastically adaptable midi DJ controller that is extremely useful when coupled with Ableton Live. This device has a great range of features, making it ideal as an Ableton Live controller.

In this tutorial you will learn everything you need to know about using the Denon Dn X1600 with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Dn X1600.

Article Contents

1. Does the Denon Dn X1600 work with Ableton Live?
2. Does the Denon Dn X1600 come with ableton Live included?
3. How to connect the Dn X1600 to ableton
4. How to midi map the Denon Dn X1600 in Ableton Live
5. The Limitations of midi mapping the Dn X1600
   1. Saving your Dn X1600 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 Denon Dn X1600 work with Ableton Live?

In summary, the Denon Dn X1600 is usable with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live doesn’t provide a default MIDI remote script within its software for it, the Dn X1600 can still be midi mapped to many functions within 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 Dn X1600 is a MIDI capable device, it is fully suited to function with Ableton Live.

Making your own midi mappings is a breeze with Ableton Live, which gives you the ability to control a lot of components of the software with your Dn X1600.

Does the Denon Dn X1600 come with ableton Live included?

The Dn X1600 does not have Ableton Live Lite, it must be purchased independently.

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 Dn X1600 to ableton

Linking and configuring the Denon Dn X1600 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 Dn X1600 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Dn X1600 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 Dn X1600 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Dn X1600 are checked.
4. Ensure that the ‘Track’, ‘Remote’ and ‘Sync’ boxes are all checked.
In the ‘MIDI’ section of this tab, make sure the ‘Track’ and ‘Remote’ boxes are checked for both the Input and Output of the Dn X1600 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Dn X1600 is now ready for use with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After you have connected the Denon Dn X1600 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 Dn X1600, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Dn X1600.
5. Moving the physical control on your Dn X1600 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 Dn X1600

With Ableton's midi mapping system, you can swiftly map your Dn X1600, however, you must be aware of a few restrictions...

Saving your Dn X1600 Midi Mappings is cumbersome

It is important to note that your mappings are stored with the Ableton session when saving. Consequently, when you create a new session, you will have to remap your controls again.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

A one-to-one MIDI mapping means that each control on your Dn X1600 can only be assigned to a single Ableton Live parameter.

Limited Ableton parameter options to map to

When using Ableton's internal midi mapping mode, unfortunately now all options are available, controls such as selected track and selected device control aren't currently possible. View a full list of Ableton midi mapping options here.

We have a great solution to these problems

If you're looking to get the most out of your Dn X1600, 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 Dn X1600's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Dn X1600,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Dn X1600, 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 Dn X1600 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Dn X1600 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Dn X1600 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Dn X1600.
4. Make sure that the Dn X1600 is selected as the input device in Ableton's MIDI Preferences.