Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

Numark's Mixtrack Pro 3 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 tutorial will show you the whole process of how to operate the Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 with Ableton Live. It will cover the steps of connecting, setting up and midi mapping the Mixtrack Pro 3.

Article Contents

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

In summary, the Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 is usable with Ableton Live.

Despite the lack of a default MIDI remote script existing within Ableton Live, it is still possible to midi map the Mixtrack Pro 3 to a variety of functions.

All versions of Ableton Live, Intro, Lite, standard and suite can be used in conjunction with pretty much any device which sends MIDI data, and it will work with all versions of Live such as 9, 10 and 11. As the Mixtrack Pro 3 is a MIDI enabled device it will be fully compatible with Ableton.

You can easily create midi mappings for Ableton, allowing you to access many functions of Ableton Live with your Mixtrack Pro 3.

Does the Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 come with ableton Live included?

The Mixtrack Pro 3 does not have Ableton Live Lite, it must be purchased independently.

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.

Ableton Live Suite includes many more Audio and MIDI effects compared to Standard, so if you want to ensure you have everything, we recommend going with Ableton Live Suite.

How to connect the Mixtrack Pro 3 to ableton

Connecting the Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 with Ableton Live is pretty simple, and when the two are linked you'll be able to adjust the software's parameters from your midi DJ controller.

1. Connect the Mixtrack Pro 3 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Mixtrack Pro 3 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 Mixtrack Pro 3 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Mixtrack Pro 3 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 Mixtrack Pro 3 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Mixtrack Pro 3 has been configured and is now ready for use with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

Once you have connected the Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 to Ableton Live by following the steps above, you can now MIDI map the physical buttons, pads, keys etc on the device to the corresponding functions in 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 Mixtrack Pro 3, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Mixtrack Pro 3.
5. Moving the physical control on your Mixtrack Pro 3 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 Mixtrack Pro 3

Ableton's midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly customize your Mixtrack Pro 3, though it does have a few limitations to be mindful of...

Saving your Mixtrack Pro 3 Midi Mappings is cumbersome

It is important to note that your mappings are stored with the Ableton session when saving. Consequently, when you create a new session, you will have to remap your controls again.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

A one-to-one MIDI mapping means that each button or knob on your Mixtrack Pro 3 can only be assigned to control a single 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 Mixtrack Pro 3, 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 Mixtrack Pro 3's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Mixtrack Pro 3,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Mixtrack Pro 3, 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 Mixtrack Pro 3 in Ableton Live?

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