What have been your experiences integrating these two?

Is it an end-all solution to merging these two mediums? Most importantly, I'm talking sync issues between CDJs and Ableton, mapping issues, and sound fidelity issues.

(On a separate note, I've noticed my friend's Ableton sound is a bit poor: highs don't reach as high and lows don't reach as low. Whether this has to do with Ableton's signal processing or his MIDI controller or something else, I don't know.)

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Last edited by cassa.de.x on Apr-03-2007 at 17:31

No, it's NOT an all in one solution.

If you goto the Pioneer pro dj forums, Pulse posted a PDF guide on how to setup Ableton and the DJM.

EDIT: Here is the link - http://www.mixaddicts.com/pulse/DJM...ton-MIDI-R2.zip

Essentially, most people end up getting an audio interface with a bunch of stereo outs (like 4), routing those into the DJM, and basically use the DJM-800 as a regular mixer, with a few buttons here and there assigned for MIDI control in ableton.

You then need another controller to launch clips and such.

The 3D is more suited for this, it's of course a lot more money, but hey you get what you pay for.

quote:

Originally posted by Ryan0751 You then need another controller to launch clips and such. for.

Why can't I just route Ableton into the mixer as if it was another CDJ? What if I just want to mix in a loop from Ableton? I need TWO devices?

Also, I don't know if you're familiar with this, Ryan, but what about having a DJM-800 with a Red SoundBite Micro? The Micro has a MIDI controller, so I was thinking I could slave Ableton to it. Red claims this works, as it has developed precise bpm-tracking technology over the years.

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You can most certainly route audio directly into the 800 just as it was a deck. The issues arise when you try to use the eq's/fader controls, etc to control equivalent items in Ableton, because while that does work, the controls will also affect audio coming into the mixer. So most people just forgoe eq'ing/mixing in the software and just use the mixer to that (and it's fine to do so).

The reason you might want another controller is that there aren't enough buttons on the 800 to assign to launch clips and control effects and such in Ableton. If you don't mind clicking the mouse to launch a clip, you might be fine.

As for the redsound box... Yes you can output MIDI clock from it to Ableton. I think you can do that same with the mixer itself, but I'm not sure how accurate it is.

Doesn't that guide mention something about the clocking?

quote:

Originally posted by cassa.de.x Why can't I just route Ableton into the mixer as if it was another CDJ? What if I just want to mix in a loop from Ableton? I need TWO devices? Also, I don't know if you're familiar with this, Ryan, but what about having a DJM-800 with a Red SoundBite Micro? The Micro has a MIDI controller, so I was thinking I could slave Ableton to it. Red claims this works, as it has developed precise bpm-tracking technology over the years.

the djm800 wasn't well designed to be used as both a MIDI and audio solution simultaneously...you want to go with either one or the other. integrating a multi-channel ableton setup or even a single channel (ie abletons' master output) into the djm800 is very simple. to be honest the technology behind combining ableton and CDJ's is very very simple and is still in early stages. also there have been PLENTY of threads about this so please use the search button to avoid redundancy. I believe my thread from a couple of months ago reviewing the 800 and about integrating ableton should still be around somewhere...if you have any specific questions about feel free to ask.

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Originally posted by SPAWNmaster I believe my thread from a couple of months ago reviewing the 800 and about integrating ableton should still be around somewhere...

Could you paste that? I can't seem to locate it.

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If I use only three channels, for example (2 cdjs, Ableton) on the 800, then basically I'd be left with only one channel for midi control....correct?


Or does Ableton not use a dedicated channel on the mixer and I'd therefore have 2 free midi mappable channels?

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quote:

Originally posted by miamitranceman If I use only three channels, for example (2 cdjs, Ableton) on the 800, then basically I'd be left with only one channel for midi control....correct? Or does Ableton not use a dedicated channel on the mixer and I'd therefore have 2 free midi mappable channels?

I don't think the DJM 800 has inputs for a MIDI controller, you would need an audio interface on your computer that has MIDI.

That's not what he was asking...

Yes you are correct, you'll have 2 CDJ's connected up with Audio to the DJM-800's 2 channels (say 1,2). That means you can't map those channel controls in ableton, because they will also affect any audio coming in from the CDJ's.

The third input could be from your soundcard (And ableton)... this means that you also can't map the channel controls for that third channel (the eq's, volume fader, etc) in ableton either, as you'll affect the audio (if you change an eq, for example) coming into the Ableton channel.

The fourth channels controls could then be used for pure MIDI control.

BUT... what happens if you want to play multiple channels in Ableton? You will probably want to be able to Cue the audio, right? So you'll probably want another output from ableton coming into the mixer so that you'll be able to cue and such. Therefore that fourth channel isn't going to be free for long.

See, this is why the DJM-800's MIDI is really not adequate for use as an Ableton controller if you intend to mix decks and software.

You end up just using the mixer, well, as a mixer... and doing the MIDI control elsewhere (though there are a few more buttons on the 800 that aren't in the mixer section you can map to various functions in Ableton).

If you look at A+H's Xone 3D, you see that they realized this. They keep the mixer portion essentially separate from the MIDI portion, with appropriate connections between the two (Soundcard routes to the mixer, etc.).

could you not go ableton master out into the mic input? and control two ableton channels with djm channel 3+4 and launch clips etc with the fader start buttons.

If you can convert a line output level to a mic level, it's possible... but you still have the inability to cue using the DJM's headphone jack as you'll still only have one input into the mixer...

quote:

Originally posted by cbrendan could you not go ableton master out into the mic input? and control two ableton channels with djm channel 3+4 and launch clips etc with the fader start buttons.

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Originally posted by Ryan0751 but you still have the inability to cue using the DJM's headphone jack as you'll still only have one input into the mixer...

Ahhh thats shit, i didn't think of that. Makes me regret selling my xone 62 for a djm 800, the xones eqing was soooo much nicer. Oh well.