Numark Ns7ii Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

Numark's Ns7ii 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 Ns7ii with Ableton Live. It will cover the steps of connecting, setting up and midi mapping the Ns7ii.

Article Contents

1. Does the Numark Ns7ii work with Ableton Live?
2. Does the Numark Ns7ii come with ableton Live included?
3. How to connect the Ns7ii to ableton
4. How to midi map the Numark Ns7ii in Ableton Live
5. The Limitations of midi mapping the Ns7ii
   1. Saving your Ns7ii 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 Ns7ii work with Ableton Live?

To sum it up, the Numark Ns7ii is fully compatible with Ableton Live.

The lack of a MIDI remote script in Ableton Live does not restrict users from midi mapping the Ns7ii to multiple functions inside the program.

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 Ns7ii will be usable with Ableton Live.

You can create your own custom Ableton midi mappings easily, which allows you to control much of the functionality in Ableton Live with your Ns7ii.

Does the Numark Ns7ii come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite is not provided with the Ns7ii, so it needs to be purchased separately.

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.

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 Ns7ii to ableton

Linking and configuring the Numark Ns7ii to Ableton Live is not too complicated, and once you have them paired together you can control the software's settings from your midi DJ controller.

1. Connect the Ns7ii to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Ns7ii 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 Ns7ii from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Ns7ii 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 Ns7ii (Sync can also be optionally checked).

The Ns7ii will now be setup and ready to use with Ableton Live.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After successfully connecting the Numark Ns7ii to Ableton live following the steps above, you can now MIDI map the physical knobs, pads, keys etc on the device to functionality within 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 Ns7ii, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Ns7ii.
5. Moving the physical control on your Ns7ii 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 Ns7ii

Ableton's midi mapping system is a great solution for quickly mapping your Ns7ii, however, you must take into account some potential limitations...

Saving your Ns7ii 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

Through a one-to-one MIDI mapping, each control on your Ns7ii can only be assigned to 1 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 Ns7ii, 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 Ns7ii's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Ns7ii,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Ns7ii, 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 Ns7ii in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Ns7ii is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Ns7ii is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Ns7ii.
4. Make sure that the Ns7ii is selected as the input device in Ableton's MIDI Preferences.