Numark 4trak Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

Numark's 4trak is a fantastically adaptable midi DJ controller that is extremely useful when coupled with Ableton Live. This device has a great range of features, making it ideal as an Ableton Live controller.

This guide will provide you with all the knowledge necessary to utilize the Numark 4trak with Ableton Live, which includes how to connect, configure and midi map the 4trak.

Article Contents

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

To sum it up, the Numark 4trak is fully compatible with Ableton Live.

The lack of a MIDI remote script in Ableton Live does not restrict users from midi mapping the 4trak to multiple functions inside the program.

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 4trak 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 4trak.

Does the Numark 4trak come with ableton Live included?

The 4trak 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. Even though Intro and Standard are both effective, Suite offers a lot more, including 70GB of library sounds, compared 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 4trak to ableton

Connecting and setting up the Numark 4trak with Ableton Live is a simple task, after they're connected you'll be able to adjust the software's parameters from your midi DJ controller.

1. Connect the 4trak to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the 4trak 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 4trak from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the 4trak 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 4trak (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The 4trak will now be setup and ready to use with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After successfully connecting the Numark 4trak to Ableton live following the steps above, you can now MIDI map the physical knobs, pads, keys etc on the device to functionality within 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 4trak, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the 4trak.
5. Moving the physical control on your 4trak 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 4trak

Ableton’s midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly map your 4trak, there are however, some limitations to be aware of...

Saving your 4trak Midi Mappings is cumbersome

When saving an Ableton session, your mappings will be saved as part of that session. Therefore, if you create a new session, you will need to remap your controls.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

A one-to-one MIDI mapping means that each button or knob on your 4trak 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 include every control options, options such as selected track control and selected device control unfortunately aren't possible. You can view a comprehensive list of all Ableton midi mapping options here.

We have a great solution to these problems

If you're looking to get the most out of your 4trak, 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 4trak's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your 4trak,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your 4trak, 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 4trak in Ableton Live?

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