Mixvibes U Mix Control Pro 2 Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

The Mixvibes U Mix Control Pro 2 is a versatile midi DJ controller and when used alongside Ableton Live, it's an incredible tool filled with potential. This midi DJ controller 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 Mixvibes U Mix Control Pro 2 with Ableton Live, including the processes of linking, setting up and midi mapping the U Mix Control Pro 2.

Article Contents

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

In a nutshell, the Mixvibes U Mix Control 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 U Mix Control Pro 2 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 U Mix Control Pro 2 is a MIDI capable device, it is fully suited to function with Ableton Live.

You can easily create midi mappings for Ableton, allowing you to access many functions of Ableton Live with your U Mix Control Pro 2.

Does the Mixvibes U Mix Control Pro 2 come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite isn't included with the U Mix Control Pro 2, so this must be bought separately.

Ableton Live has 3 main versions, Intro, Standard and Suite. Whilst Intro and Standard are very capable pieces of software, the Suite version packs more in, such as over 70GB of library sounds compared 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 U Mix Control Pro 2 to ableton

Linking and configuring the Mixvibes U Mix Control 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 DJ controller.

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

The U Mix Control 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 Mixvibes U Mix Control 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 U Mix Control 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 U Mix Control Pro 2.
5. Moving the physical control on your U Mix Control 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 U Mix Control Pro 2

For the fastest way to map your U Mix Control Pro 2, you can't go wrong with Ableton's midi mapping system, but make sure you take into account these limitations...

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

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