Stanton Djc 4 Ableton tutorial - connect, setup & midi map

The Stanton Djc 4 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 Stanton Djc 4 with Ableton Live, which includes how to connect, configure and midi map the Djc 4.

Article Contents

Does the Stanton Djc 4 work with Ableton Live?
Does the Stanton Djc 4 come with ableton Live included?
How to connect the Djc 4 to ableton
How to midi map the Stanton Djc 4 in Ableton Live
The Limitations of midi mapping the Djc 4
Why can’t I hear my Push in Ableton Live?

Does the Stanton Djc 4 work with Ableton Live?

To sum it up, the Stanton Djc 4 is fully 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 Djc 4 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 Djc 4 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 Djc 4.

Does the Stanton Djc 4 come with ableton Live included?

Ableton Live Lite isn't included with the Djc 4, so this 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 Djc 4 to ableton

Connecting and setting up the Stanton Djc 4 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 Djc 4 to your computer via USB.
First, connect the USB cable to both the Djc 4 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 Djc 4 from the list of available devices.
Click the the MIDI Sync tab, make sure that Input and Output for the Djc 4 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 Djc 4 (Sync can also be optionally checked).

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

Ableton’s midi mapping system provides a great way to quickly map your Djc 4, there are however, some limitations to be aware of...

Saving your Djc 4 Midi Mappings is cumbersome

Be aware that when saving your mappings, they will be stored with the Ableton session. Therefore, starting a new session will require you to re-map your controls.

Ableton MIDI mappings are one-to-one

Through a one-to-one MIDI mapping, each control on your Djc 4 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 Djc 4, 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 Djc 4's mappings across all of your Ableton Live sessions,
- map multiple Ableton parameters to a single control on your Djc 4,
- access many more Ableton parameter controls for your Djc 4, 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 Djc 4 in Ableton Live?

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