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

The Mixtrack Pro from Numark is an incredibly versatile midi DJ controller and is a powerful tool when used in combination with Ableton Live. The Akai MPK Mini has a wealth of features that make it perfect for use with Ableton Live.

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

Article Contents

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

Does the Numark Mixtrack Pro work with Ableton Live?

To sum it up, the Numark Mixtrack Pro is fully compatible with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live doesn’t provide a default MIDI remote script within its software for it, the Mixtrack Pro can still be midi mapped to many functions within 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 Mixtrack Pro is a MIDI capable device, it is fully suited to function 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 Mixtrack Pro.

Does the Numark Mixtrack Pro come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite is not included with the Mixtrack Pro, therefore it must be bought 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.

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 to ableton

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

The Mixtrack Pro is now ready for use with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After you have connected the Numark Mixtrack Pro to Ableton Live with the aforementioned steps, you can now use MIDI mapping to link up the physical knobs, pads, keys etc on the device to their corresponding features in Ableton Live:

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, 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.
5. Moving the physical control on your Mixtrack Pro 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

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

Saving your Mixtrack Pro Midi Mappings is cumbersome

Mappings are saved along with your Ableton session. Therefore, if a new session is created, you must re-map all of your controls.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

A one-to-one MIDI mapping means that each control on your Mixtrack Pro can only be assigned to a single Ableton Live parameter.

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

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