DJ Tech Tools Midi Fighter 3d Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

The DJ Tech Tools Midi Fighter 3d is a highly versatile midi controller and is a powerful instrument when used in combination with Ableton Live. This midi controller has a great selection of features that make it perfect for your Ableton Live setup.

This tutorial will show you the whole process of how to operate the DJ Tech Tools Midi Fighter 3d with Ableton Live. It will cover the steps of connecting, setting up and midi mapping the Midi Fighter 3d.

Article Contents

Does the DJ Tech Tools Midi Fighter 3d work with Ableton Live?
Does the DJ Tech Tools Midi Fighter 3d come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Midi Fighter 3d to ableton
How to midi map the DJ Tech Tools Midi Fighter 3d in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Midi Fighter 3d
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the DJ Tech Tools Midi Fighter 3d work with Ableton Live?

In short, yes, the DJ Tech Tools Midi Fighter 3d is compatible with Ableton Live.

Despite the lack of a default MIDI remote script existing within Ableton Live, it is still possible to midi map the Midi Fighter 3d to a variety of functions.

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 Midi Fighter 3d is a MIDI capable device, it is fully suited to function with Ableton Live.

You can create your own Ableton midi mappings with ease, giving you the power to control many of the features of Ableton Live with your Midi Fighter 3d.

Does the DJ Tech Tools Midi Fighter 3d come with ableton Live included?

The Midi Fighter 3d does not have Ableton Live Lite, it must be purchased independently.

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.

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 Midi Fighter 3d to ableton

Connecting the DJ Tech Tools Midi Fighter 3d with Ableton Live is pretty simple, and when the two are linked you'll be able to adjust the software's parameters from your midi controller.

1. Connect the Midi Fighter 3d to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Midi Fighter 3d 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 Midi Fighter 3d from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Midi Fighter 3d 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 Midi Fighter 3d (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Midi Fighter 3d has been configured and is now ready for use with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

Once you have connected the DJ Tech Tools Midi Fighter 3d to Ableton Live by following the steps above, you can now MIDI map the physical buttons, pads, keys etc on the device to the corresponding functions in Ableton Live by doing the following:

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 Midi Fighter 3d, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Midi Fighter 3d.
5. Moving the physical control on your Midi Fighter 3d 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 Midi Fighter 3d

Ableton's midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly customize your Midi Fighter 3d, though it does have a few limitations to be mindful of...

Saving your Midi Fighter 3d 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 means that each button or knob on your Midi Fighter 3d 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 Midi Fighter 3d, 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 Midi Fighter 3d's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Midi Fighter 3d,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Midi Fighter 3d, 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 Midi Fighter 3d in Ableton Live?

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