Ableton Forum

Anyone using the Allen & Heath Xone DB4 mixer for controlling/routing Ableton Live projects?

I've had the DB4 mixer for almost a year now and use it to DJ. Over the year I added a Xone 1D/1D/2D trio to allow me the ability to control/route my Live projects that I perform during my sets. I am rethinking this right now since I have recently removed the 2D for the DB4's soundcard and intend on getting a pair of Allen & Heath Xone K2s to replace the older Xone 1D controllers that remain. The problem is that while I need midi control over tracks, I also need more physical inputs for my hardware and I'm considering getting another DB4 mixer or switching the roles of the mixer and the incoming K2s.

Right now, I have the Xone DB4 now midi mapped for controlling NI's Traktor Scratch Pro 2 (TSP2) and I have to use the DB4's soundcard for Live's output(s) because I also use a NI Traktor Audio 10 soundcard to enable the timecode/scratch capability for TSP2.

So, I'd like to know if there is anyone out there that's using the DB4 for Ableton Live and if you can tell how best to approach mapping the DB4 for the midi features.

While it may seem excessive and overkill, I really could use a second DB4 for Ableton Live and route it's audio from that mixer digital out to the main DB4 that controls Traktor. Its not realistic to have two of these mixers. I'm also not sure how the X-link functions would work with two DB4s but realistically, I need to look at and know more about the DB4's Pros/Cons with Ableton Live. I do need more quality inputs for my hardware so a small platform mixer with a single stereo digital out would work but who knows if switching the roles could get it done.

What the hell is this "Abelton" you keep mentioning?

I know of no such software.

There's a COMPANY called Ableton. Maybe that's what you meant - but then
you keep talking about controlling "Abelton", and you can't control a company
with a DB4. Or a K2. Or a 1D or 2D.

The software that Ableton (note the spelling) make is called Live.

Maybe you should try using your hardware to control Live instead. Might work then.

102455 wrote:What the hell is this "Abelton" you keep mentioning?

I know of no such software.

There's a COMPANY called Ableton. Maybe that's what you meant - but then
you keep talking about controlling "Abelton", and you can't control a company
with a DB4. Or a K2. Or a 1D or 2D.

The software that Ableton (note the spelling) make is called Live.

Maybe you should try using your hardware to control Live instead. Might work then.

Not helping. I'll be honest and state that I forget to spell it right all the time and usually refer to it as "Ableton" because they don't make anything else besides Live and when you talk to normal people who don't get upset about it, they understand you easier and won't correct you but I do get your point. If I spent most of my time on ProTools these days I wouldn't go around calling it Avid or on Logic calling it Apple or Reason calling it Propellerheads so I've corrected my comments and consider myself more conscious and aware now.

So can you help me?

There wasn't really any specific questions in your original post, what do you want to know?

The question's on the first line of his post!

I've not got a DB4 myself, but I've certainly considered one.

There are several reasons why I've not taken the plunge and replaced my current Xone:92, but now's not the time for that.

One thing I'm aware of with the DB4 though, is that although most of the controls send MIDI, there's no way to isolate that from their normal function - so if you turn an EQ knob to affect something in Live, it'll still also affect whatever you've got running through the DB4.

The only way I can see of having dedicated control, is to not use one or more channels for normal DB4 audio functions, which kind of defeats the object of having a nice four channel mixer...

I'd go with the K2s if I was in his/your shoes. And if I didn't already have a pair of 1Ds.

I believe you are right about the other controls outside of the main FX portion on the DB4 but I think I'm going to go with the K2s and just work out the audio input issues another way. I wouldn't get two DB4s because that is crazy +plus I need atleast eight faders in Live and I can still have the crossfader on the DB4 set to transmit to Live because I don't assign it for the analogue inputs.

FYI, I'm mostly replacing the 1D/1D/2D trio because of the K2's X-Link capability which will reduce the number of USB cables/ports I need. Also, the K2s will give me more physical controls than on the 1Ds and since I've started using the DB4's soundcard for Live I no longer need the 2D.

BTW, I'm relisting the trio on Ebay soon for really good prices. I had a buyer but the deal fell through because he couldn't pay so I'm waiting for Ebay to credit my insertion fees and I will post an announcement in the classifieds when they are back up for sale.

I might be up for buying the 2D if the price is right....