Pioneer Ddj Sp1 Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

Pioneer's Ddj Sp1 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 explain all you need to know on using the Pioneer Ddj Sp1 with Ableton Live. This includes connecting, setting up and midi mapping the Ddj Sp1.

Article Contents

Does the Pioneer Ddj Sp1 work with Ableton Live?
Does the Pioneer Ddj Sp1 come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Ddj Sp1 to ableton
How to midi map the Pioneer Ddj Sp1 in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Ddj Sp1
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Pioneer Ddj Sp1 work with Ableton Live?

In short, yes, the Pioneer Ddj Sp1 is compatible with Ableton Live.

Although Ableton Live does not come with a MIDI remote script, the Ddj Sp1 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 Sp1 is a MIDI capable device, it is fully suited to function with Ableton Live.

Creating your own midi mappings in Ableton is simple, and gives you the ability to control a variety of Ableton Live's components with your Ddj Sp1.

Does the Pioneer Ddj Sp1 come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite is not included with the Ddj Sp1, 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.

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 Ddj Sp1 to ableton

Connecting and setting up the Pioneer Ddj Sp1 with Ableton Live is a simple task, after they're connected you'll be able to adjust the software's parameters from your midi DJ controller.

1. Connect the Ddj Sp1 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Ddj Sp1 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 Sp1 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Ddj Sp1 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 Sp1 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

Set up of the Ddj Sp1 with Ableton Live is now complete.

How to midi map the akai mpk mini in Ableton Live

After linking up the Pioneer Ddj Sp1 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 Sp1, such as a knob or fader.
4. The parameter you selected is now mapped to the physical control which you moved on the Ddj Sp1.
5. Moving the physical control on your Ddj Sp1 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 Sp1

With Ableton's midi mapping system, you can swiftly map your Ddj Sp1, however, you must be aware of a few restrictions...

Saving your Ddj Sp1 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 control on your Ddj Sp1 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 Ddj Sp1, 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 Sp1's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Ddj Sp1,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Ddj Sp1, 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 Sp1 in Ableton Live?

There are several possible causes:
1. Make sure that the Ddj Sp1 is connected properly to your computer via USB and that the cable is not damaged.
2. Make sure that the Ddj Sp1 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 Sp1.
4. Make sure that the Ddj Sp1 is selected as the input device in Ableton's MIDI Preferences.