Dj Tech Djm 101 Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

The Djm 101 from Dj Tech is an incredibly versatile midi DJ controller and is a powerful tool when used in combination with Ableton Live. The Akai MPK Mini has a wealth of features that make it perfect for use with Ableton Live.

This tutorial will explain all you need to know on using the Dj Tech Djm 101 with Ableton Live. This includes connecting, setting up and midi mapping the Djm 101.

Article Contents

Does the Dj Tech Djm 101 work with Ableton Live?
Does the Dj Tech Djm 101 come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Djm 101 to ableton
How to midi map the Dj Tech Djm 101 in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Djm 101
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Dj Tech Djm 101 work with Ableton Live?

To put it briefly, the Dj Tech Djm 101 is compatible with Ableton Live.

Despite the absence of a built-in MIDI remote script within Ableton Live, users can still use the Djm 101 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 101 is a MIDI enabled device, it will work 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 101.

Does the Dj Tech Djm 101 come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite is not provided with the Djm 101, so it needs to be purchased 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.

Ableton Live Suite includes many more Audio and MIDI effects compared to Standard, so if you want to ensure you have everything, we recommend going with Ableton Live Suite.

How to connect the Djm 101 to ableton

Connecting and setting up the Dj Tech Djm 101 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 101 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Djm 101 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 101 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Djm 101 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 Djm 101 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Djm 101 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 Dj Tech Djm 101 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 101, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Djm 101.
5. Moving the physical control on your Djm 101 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 101

For the fastest way to map your Djm 101, you can't go wrong with Ableton's midi mapping system, but make sure you take into account these limitations...

Saving your Djm 101 Midi Mappings is cumbersome

Saving your mappings can be a problem as mappings are saved with an Ableton session, so if you start a new session you will need to re-map your controls again.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

A one-to-one MIDI mapping indicates that each control on your Djm 101 is capable of controlling only one 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 101, 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 101's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Djm 101,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Djm 101, 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 101 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Djm 101 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Djm 101 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 101.
4. Make sure that the Djm 101 is selected as the input device in Ableton's MIDI Preferences.