Icon I Dj Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

The Icon I Dj is a highly versatile midi controller and is a powerful instrument when used in combination with Ableton Live. This midi DJ controller has a great selection of features that make it perfect for your Ableton Live setup.

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

Article Contents

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

In a nutshell, the Icon I Dj is able to work fully with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live does not come with a MIDI remote script, the I Dj 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 I Dj is a MIDI enabled tool, it will be completely compatible with Ableton Live.

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 I Dj.

Does the Icon I Dj come with ableton Live included?

The I Dj 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.

For those seeking the full range of Audio and MIDI effects, we highly suggest purchasing Ableton Live Suite, as it offers significantly more than the Standard edition.

How to connect the I Dj to ableton

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

Set up of the I Dj with Ableton Live is now complete.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After linking up the Icon I Dj 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 I Dj, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the I Dj.
5. Moving the physical control on your I Dj 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 I Dj

Ableton's midi mapping system is a great solution for quickly mapping your I Dj, however, you must take into account some potential limitations...

Saving your I Dj 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 I Dj is capable of controlling only one 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 I Dj, 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 I Dj's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your I Dj,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your I Dj, 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 I Dj in Ableton Live?

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