Dsi Pro 2 Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

The Dsi Pro 2 is a versatile midi enabled synthesizer and when used alongside Ableton Live, it's an incredible tool filled with potential. This midi enabled synthesizer is equipped with plenty of features that make it the perfect companion to Ableton Live.

This tutorial will teach you everything needed in order to use the Dsi Pro 2 with Ableton Live, including the processes of linking, setting up and midi mapping the Pro 2.

Article Contents

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

In a nutshell, the Dsi Pro 2 is able to work fully with Ableton Live.

Despite the absence of a built-in MIDI remote script within Ableton Live, users can still use the Pro 2 to midi map to numerous functions in the software.

All versions of Ableton Live, Intro, Lite, standard and suite can be used in conjunction with pretty much any device which sends MIDI data, and it will work with all versions of Live such as 9, 10 and 11. As the Pro 2 is a MIDI enabled device it will be fully compatible with Ableton.

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 Pro 2.

Does the Dsi Pro 2 come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite isn't included with the Pro 2, so this must be bought 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'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 Pro 2 to ableton

Linking and configuring the Dsi Pro 2 to Ableton Live is not too complicated, and once you have them paired together you can control the software's settings from your midi enabled synthesizer.

1. Connect the Pro 2 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Pro 2 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 Pro 2 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Pro 2 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 Pro 2 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Pro 2 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 Dsi Pro 2 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 Pro 2, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Pro 2.
5. Moving the physical control on your Pro 2 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 Pro 2

With Ableton's midi mapping system, you can swiftly map your Pro 2, however, you must be aware of a few restrictions...

Saving your Pro 2 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

Through a one-to-one MIDI mapping, each control on your Pro 2 can only be assigned to 1 parameter in Ableton Live.

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 Pro 2, 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 Pro 2's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Pro 2,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Pro 2, 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 Pro 2 in Ableton Live?

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