How to DJ with Ableton

Co-authored by Timothy Linetsky

Last Updated: August 9, 2018

There are many programs to choose from for DJing, but none of these programs shine like Ableton Live does. This software allows you to take DJing a step further and opens many creative possibilities. This step by step guide will be a comprehensive overview of how to perform with Ableton. This includes: setting up your audio interface with Ableton, using grid based controllers to launch clips, and how Ableton's session view is utilized to perform music in a live setting.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Setting Up Your Hardware With Ableton

1
Configure your audio interface properly with Ableton. This is done within Ableton's options (located near the top left corner). The default audio device will be your computer's built in soundcard, which needs to be changed to the external audio device you will be using.
- Connect your interface to a computer and open Ableton Live. Most interfaces will connect via USB or Firewire connection.
Options > Preferences > Audio.

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3
Under the audio device section, select your audio interface from the drop down menu.
- If there is a driver associated with your interface, you will need to select the appropriate driver as well from the drop down menu. The appropriate driver can be found in the instruction booklet that came with your interface, or on the manufacturer's website.
4
Select which output ports you will be using. To do this select: Channel Configuration > Output Config.
- If you do not have intentions to cue tracks with headphones, the only output ports that need to be selected are 1 mono/2 mono, 1/2 stereo.
Studio monitors will need a balanced cable connection to your audio interface. This means you will need to use 1/4 TRS to 1/4 TRS cables or 1/4 to XLR cables.
Turn down the master volume on your interface. Engage the metronome by selecting it and press play. Slowly turn up your volume until you hear the tick of the metronome. Once you are satisfied with the volume, disengage the metronome by selecting it once more. Press the stop button.
7
Connect your DJ controller(s) to the computer.
- Most controllers connect via USB and may require an external power source.
If your controller is not recognized immediately, it will need to be selected as a MIDI device under Ableton's preferences.
The APC40 and Ableton Push are just examples of controllers. The name of your MIDI device will be listed under the control surface drop down menu. Simply select your device.

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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Performing With Ableton

1
Have the screen open on Session view and label each track. When you open Ableton, the default view is session view.
- If you are using a grid based controller, you should see a colored box outlining specific clips that the controller is viewing.
2
Populate the Session with audio and/or MIDI clips.
- To make performing easier, keep each clip consistent to the same length (ie. 4, 8, or 16 bars).
- Group similar clips together onto the same track (drums, bass, synths, etc.).
Leave a space between each block of clips.
4
Attach the BPM to the first scene launch button of each song. To do this, simply rename that button to your desired BPM. Right click (CTRL+R) to rename the button.
- Pressing a launch button with a BPM attached to it will launch that row of clips at your desired BPM. This will allow for quick and easy transitions between songs of different tempos.
Select one or more desired clips by clicking on them (using shift+click to select a large amount). Open the Launch section of the clip(s).
6
Set the follow action to play the next clip after a desired amount of bars have passed. For example, if the clip is 8 bars long, set the follow action to take place after 8 bars have passed).
- Select the drop down menu below the follow action and pick "next."
- This will play the next adjacent sequential clip after the current clip has finished playing.
7
Add a Limiter on the Master track. This will prevent digital audio clipping during playback of your clips.
- On the left side of the screen, select audio effects.
- Drag a Limiter onto the Master channel.
8
Launch clips from Session view.
- To launch a clip, simply click on it.
- To launch an entire row of clips (scene), click on the scene launch button.
9
Use your DJ controller to experiment with launching clips from different songs or sections simultaneously.
- Grid based controllers will make launching clips extremely easy.
10
Add effect racks to different channels and experiment using them. Ableton has preset effect racks under Audio Effects > DJ & Performance. Simply drag the effect rack onto the desired channel.
- Performing with Ableton frees up time that a DJ would normally spend beatmatching every track. This allows for the user to add live effects and remix with ease.
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Tips

Using grid based controllers will make Ableton's session view much easier to use and manipulate.

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Preparing your live set is absolutely vital to create a strong, but smooth Ableton DJ performance.

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Color code clips and songs in your live set to visually organize everything.

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Warnings

Practice performing your Ableton Live set before playing to a crowd.

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If you are having issues setting up an audio interface with Ableton, make sure that all necessary drivers are installed properly. If you need further help, seek customer support from the manufacturer.

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If your controller is not functioning properly with Ableton, seek customer support from the manufacturer.

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Do not just play back each song without any variation. Ableton allows you, as the performer, to get extremely creative with your set by mixing individual tracks with different songs to achieve a unique performance.

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Things You'll Need

A computer running Ableton Live
An audio interface
A MIDI controller
Speakers
Necessary cables (USB A to B, XLR cables)

How to DJ with Ableton

Steps

Setting Up Your Hardware With Ableton

Performing With Ableton

Community Q&A

Tips

Warnings

Things You'll Need

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