Denon Sc3700 Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

Denon's Sc3700 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.

This guide will provide you with all the knowledge necessary to utilize the Denon Sc3700 with Ableton Live, which includes how to connect, configure and midi map the Sc3700.

Article Contents

1. Does the Denon Sc3700 work with Ableton Live?
2. Does the Denon Sc3700 come with ableton Live included?
3. How to connect the Sc3700 to ableton
4. How to midi map the Denon Sc3700 in Ableton Live
5. The Limitations of midi mapping the Sc3700
   1. Saving your Sc3700 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 Sc3700 work with Ableton Live?

In short, yes, the Denon Sc3700 is compatible with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live does not come with a MIDI remote script, the Sc3700 can still be mapped to many of the software's functions.

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 Sc3700 is a MIDI enabled tool, it will be completely compatible 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 Sc3700.

Does the Denon Sc3700 come with ableton Live included?

The Sc3700 doesn’t come with a copy of Ableton Live Lite, so this would need 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 Sc3700 to ableton

Connecting and setting up the Denon Sc3700 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 Sc3700 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Sc3700 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 Sc3700 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Sc3700 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 Sc3700 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

Set up of the Sc3700 with Ableton Live is now complete.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After linking up the Denon Sc3700 to Ableton Live using the steps provided, you can now assign the physical buttons, pads, keys etc on the device to specific functions within Ableton Live via MIDI mapping as follows:

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 Sc3700, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Sc3700.
5. Moving the physical control on your Sc3700 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 Sc3700

With Ableton's midi mapping system, you can swiftly map your Sc3700, however, you must be aware of a few restrictions...

Saving your Sc3700 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

With a one-to-one MIDI mapping, each control on your Sc3700 can only be assigned to a single 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 Sc3700, 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 Sc3700's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Sc3700,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Sc3700, 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 Sc3700 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Sc3700 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Sc3700 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Sc3700.
4. Make sure that the Sc3700 is selected as the input device in Ableton's MIDI Preferences.