Faderfox Dl3 Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

The Faderfox Dl3 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 Faderfox Dl3 with Ableton Live. It will cover the steps of connecting, setting up and midi mapping the Dl3.

Article Contents

1. Does the Faderfox Dl3 work with Ableton Live?
2. Does the Faderfox Dl3 come with ableton Live included?
3. How to connect the Dl3 to ableton
4. How to midi map the Faderfox Dl3 in Ableton Live
5. The Limitations of midi mapping the Dl3
   1. Saving your Dl3 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 Faderfox Dl3 work with Ableton Live?

To sum it up, the Faderfox Dl3 is fully compatible with Ableton Live.

Despite the absence of a built-in MIDI remote script within Ableton Live, users can still use the Dl3 to midi map to numerous functions in 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 Dl3 is a MIDI capable device, it is fully suited to function 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 Dl3.

Does the Faderfox Dl3 come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite is not provided with the Dl3, 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.

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 Dl3 to ableton

Connecting and setting up the Faderfox Dl3 with Ableton Live is a simple task, after they're connected you'll be able to adjust the software's parameters from your midi controller.

1. Connect the Dl3 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Dl3 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 Dl3 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Dl3 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 Dl3 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Dl3 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 Faderfox Dl3 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 Dl3, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Dl3.
5. Moving the physical control on your Dl3 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 Dl3

Ableton’s midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly map your Dl3, there are however, some limitations to be aware of...

Saving your Dl3 Midi Mappings is cumbersome

Be aware that when saving your mappings, they will be stored with the Ableton session. Therefore, starting a new session will require you to re-map your controls.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

A one-to-one MIDI mapping indicates that each control on your Dl3 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 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 Dl3, 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 Dl3's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Dl3,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Dl3, 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 Dl3 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Dl3 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Dl3 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Dl3.
4. Make sure that the Dl3 is selected as the input device in Ableton's MIDI Preferences.