Numark Ns6 Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

The Numark Ns6 is a highly versatile midi controller and is a powerful instrument when used in combination with Ableton Live. This midi DJ controller has a great selection of features that make it perfect for your Ableton Live setup.

This guide will provide you with all the knowledge necessary to utilize the Numark Ns6 with Ableton Live, which includes how to connect, configure and midi map the Ns6.

Article Contents

Does the Numark Ns6 work with Ableton Live?
Does the Numark Ns6 come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Ns6 to ableton
How to midi map the Numark Ns6 in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Ns6
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Numark Ns6 work with Ableton Live?

To sum it up, the Numark Ns6 is fully compatible with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live doesn’t provide a default MIDI remote script within its software for it, the Ns6 can still be midi mapped to many functions within the software.

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 Ns6 is a MIDI enabled device, it will work 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 Ns6.

Does the Numark Ns6 come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite is not included with the Ns6, therefore it must be bought 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.

For those who want to guarantee they have access to the largest selection of Audio and MIDI effects, we suggest investing in Ableton Live Suite, as it has a much larger selection than the Standard edition.

How to connect the Ns6 to ableton

Connecting and setting up the Numark Ns6 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 Ns6 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Ns6 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 Ns6 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Ns6 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 Ns6 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Ns6 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 Ns6 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 Ns6, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Ns6.
5. Moving the physical control on your Ns6 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 Ns6

With Ableton's midi mapping system, you can swiftly map your Ns6, however, you must be aware of a few restrictions...

Saving your Ns6 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 button or knob on your Ns6 can only be assigned to control a single parameter in Ableton Live.

Limited Ableton parameter options to map to

Ableton’s internal midi mapping mode is unfortunately missing many control options. Options such as selected track and selected device control aren’t possible using this method. You can see a list of all available Ableton midi mapping options here.

We have a great solution to these problems

If you're looking to get the most out of your Ns6, 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 Ns6's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Ns6,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Ns6, 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 Ns6 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Ns6 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Ns6 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Ns6.
4. Make sure that the Ns6 is selected as the input device in Ableton's MIDI Preferences.