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

Numark's Mixtrack Quad is an incredibly multi-faceted midi controller and is a powerful addition to any Ableton Live setup. This midi DJ controller has a wealth of features that make it ideal for use with Ableton Live.

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

Article Contents

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

Does the Numark Mixtrack Quad work with Ableton Live?

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

Although Ableton Live does not come with a MIDI remote script, the Mixtrack Quad can still be mapped to many of the software's functions.

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 Mixtrack Quad is a MIDI enabled device, it will work with Ableton Live.

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

Does the Numark Mixtrack Quad come with ableton Live included?

The Mixtrack Quad doesn’t come with a copy of Ableton Live Lite, so this would need to be purchased separately.

There are three main versions with Ableton Live: Intro, Standard and Suite. Though Intro and Standard are both comprehensive, Suite offers much more, such as 70GB of library 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 Mixtrack Quad to ableton

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

Set up of the Mixtrack Quad with Ableton Live is now complete.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After linking up the Numark Mixtrack Quad to Ableton Live using the steps provided, you can now assign the physical buttons, pads, keys etc on the device to specific functions within Ableton Live via MIDI mapping as follows:

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

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

Saving your Mixtrack Quad Midi Mappings is cumbersome

Be aware that when saving your mappings, they will be stored with the Ableton session. Therefore, starting a new session will require you to re-map your controls.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

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

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

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