Numark Mixdeck Express Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

The Numark Mixdeck Express 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 Numark Mixdeck Express with Ableton Live, including the processes of linking, setting up and midi mapping the Mixdeck Express.

Article Contents

Does the Numark Mixdeck Express work with Ableton Live?
Does the Numark Mixdeck Express come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Mixdeck Express to ableton
How to midi map the Numark Mixdeck Express in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Mixdeck Express
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Numark Mixdeck Express work with Ableton Live?

To sum it up, the Numark Mixdeck Express is fully compatible with Ableton Live.

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

Any edition of Ableton Live, from Intro to Suite, will be compatible with any device that transmits MIDI data. This works for all editions of Live, for instance 9, 10, and 11. As the Mixdeck Express is a MIDI enabled device, it will work 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 Mixdeck Express.

Does the Numark Mixdeck Express come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite is not provided with the Mixdeck Express, 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 Mixdeck Express to ableton

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

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

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

Saving your Mixdeck Express 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

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

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