Pioneer Ddj 400 Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

The Pioneer Ddj 400 is a versatile midi DJ controller and when used alongside Ableton Live, it's an incredible tool filled with potential. This midi DJ controller is equipped with plenty of features that make it the perfect companion to Ableton Live.

In this tutorial you will learn everything you need to know about using the Pioneer Ddj 400 with Ableton Live. including how to connect, setup and midi map the Ddj 400.

Article Contents

1. Does the Pioneer Ddj 400 work with Ableton Live?
2. Does the Pioneer Ddj 400 come with ableton Live included?
3. How to connect the Ddj 400 to ableton
4. How to midi map the Pioneer Ddj 400 in Ableton Live
5. The Limitations of midi mapping the Ddj 400
   1. Saving your Ddj 400 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 Pioneer Ddj 400 work with Ableton Live?

To put it briefly, the Pioneer Ddj 400 is compatible with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live does not come with a MIDI remote script, the Ddj 400 can still be mapped to many of the software's functions.

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 Ddj 400 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 Ddj 400.

Does the Pioneer Ddj 400 come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite is not included with the Ddj 400, 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 Ddj 400 to ableton

Linking and configuring the Pioneer Ddj 400 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 Ddj 400 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Ddj 400 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 Ddj 400 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Ddj 400 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 Ddj 400 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

Set up of the Ddj 400 with Ableton Live is now complete.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After linking up the Pioneer Ddj 400 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 Ddj 400, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Ddj 400.
5. Moving the physical control on your Ddj 400 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 Ddj 400

Ableton's midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly customize your Ddj 400, though it does have a few limitations to be mindful of...

Saving your Ddj 400 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

With a one-to-one MIDI mapping, each control on your Ddj 400 can only be assigned to a single parameter in Ableton Live.

Limited Ableton parameter options to map to

Unfortunately, Ableton's internal midi mapping mode does not provide every control option, so options such as controlling the selected track or selected device aren't possible. A full list of Ableton midi mapping options can be found here.

We have a great solution to these problems

If you're looking to get the most out of your Ddj 400, 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 Ddj 400's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Ddj 400,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Ddj 400, 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 Ddj 400 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Ddj 400 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Ddj 400 is selected as your audio input and output device in your audio settings.
3. Make sure that the correct driver is installed for the Ddj 400.
4. Make sure that the Ddj 400 is selected as the input device in Ableton's MIDI Preferences.