Numark Ns6ii Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

Numark's Ns6ii is an exceptionally flexible midi DJ controller and is a powerful tool when is used with Ableton Live. This midi DJ controller has a plethora of features, making it perfect for Ableton Live.

This tutorial will explain all you need to know on using the Numark Ns6ii with Ableton Live. This includes connecting, setting up and midi mapping the Ns6ii.

Article Contents

1. Does the Numark Ns6ii work with Ableton Live?
2. Does the Numark Ns6ii come with ableton Live included?
3. How to connect the Ns6ii to ableton
4. How to midi map the Numark Ns6ii in Ableton Live
5. The Limitations of midi mapping the Ns6ii
   1. Saving your Ns6ii 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 Ns6ii work with Ableton Live?

To put it briefly, the Numark Ns6ii is compatible with Ableton Live.

Despite the lack of a default MIDI remote script existing within Ableton Live, it is still possible to midi map the Ns6ii to a variety of functions.

All forms of Ableton Live, Intro, Lite, Standard and Suite, can work with practically any instrument that sends out MIDI data, and it will be compatible with all versions of Live such as 9, 10 and 11. Due to this, the Ns6ii will be usable with Ableton Live.

You can easily create midi mappings for Ableton, allowing you to access many functions of Ableton Live with your Ns6ii.

Does the Numark Ns6ii come with ableton Live included?

The Ns6ii does not have Ableton Live Lite, it must be purchased independently.

There are three main versions of Ableton Live: Intro, Standard and Suite. Even though Intro and Standard are both effective, Suite offers a lot more, including 70GB of library sounds, compared to Standard's 10GB.

For those seeking the full range of Audio and MIDI effects, we highly suggest purchasing Ableton Live Suite, as it offers significantly more than the Standard edition.

How to connect the Ns6ii to ableton

Linking the Numark Ns6ii to Ableton Live is a simple process, and when you have them connected you can control the software's parameters from your midi DJ controller.

1. Connect the Ns6ii to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Ns6ii 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 Ns6ii from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Ns6ii 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 Ns6ii (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Ns6ii 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 Ns6ii 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 Ns6ii, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Ns6ii.
5. Moving the physical control on your Ns6ii 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 Ns6ii

For the fastest way to map your Ns6ii, you can't go wrong with Ableton's midi mapping system, but make sure you take into account these limitations...

Saving your Ns6ii 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

A one-to-one MIDI mapping indicates that each control on your Ns6ii is capable of controlling only one 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 Ns6ii, 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 Ns6ii's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Ns6ii,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Ns6ii, 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 Ns6ii in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Ns6ii is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Ns6ii is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Ns6ii.
4. Make sure that the Ns6ii is selected as the input device in Ableton's MIDI Preferences.