Ableton Push

The Ableton Push comes with Ableton Live 9 and syncs up to work with it right out of the box with no effort needed at all. Though this unit is not available to the general public yet, I had the chance to use it first hand from a music conference. That is one of the best parts of it, and if you are an Ableton vet and lover then this is a must have. Even if you already have the newest version of Ableton you still need to get your hands on this Push. The Push comes with multi color pads and they are all very vibrant and bright when they are lit. You will get a total of 64 pads that reminds me a lot of the Novation controller.

The Ableton Push is made just for Ableton Live but it is specially made by Akai, so with them being made by Akai you know you are getting a high quality machine to work with that will last you for a long time. The machine itself does not have a lot of weight to it, which is good for it being portable but to me I like my hardware to have a little more weight to it. It just shows that it has a solid built and more money went into making it.

The Push itself does not make any sounds, everything will need to be assigned to it. There really is not any aftertouch or expressiveness with the pads. But they do feel very good.

Setting up this Push is so simple, if you are a new user to Ableton and you purchase the bundle you will be up and running within minutes. You can use the Push to trigger samples, play individual notes or even assign multiple functions to the same pad easily. The Push has a small LCD display on it that doesn’t make you want to run out and by this unit but it will be a huge bonus for later on once you understand how everything works and can use the LCD screen to your advantage and workflow. Using this controller with Ableton is better than any other controller that is out on the market, simply because Akai has put their touches on it and made it a gem. It is easy to use, set up, and it is built to last you a long time. I suggest purchasing this as soon as they release it to buy, you will not be sorry.

How long have you use it?

very very recent purchase, but occupies my days and nights!

Have you tried many other models before buying it?

I work at the base of a novation slmkII 49

What is the particular feature you like best and least?

The machine is a real little révolution.Pour a non keyboardist like me, the méldoeis I realize I have not had access to the keyboard.
THE next no need to watch the screen is just huge, the challenge of creating a real instrument is successful. The sequencing step is just huge, the note mode as said above makes super simple thing, and the possibility of change "scale" (range mode) gives an infinite possibility. The ability to use live (dj set live set in launchpad or to rebuild and even play live) end the perfect companion to Ableton Live in all its uses.

Only downside, no possibility to directly load samples that I have seen so far, I think Ableton bump on it

How would you rate the quality / price?
With experience, you do again this choice? ...

Certainly, it is a bit pricey, but it's the best 500 bullets that I spent so far in music!

I sold my Launchpad to take used a push.

I do not regret it. This interface offers so many features:
- Way to create drum patterns drums with such ease especially when combined in repeat mode. Or to play patterns or part of a pattern while playing over an item, with possible bearing using the repeat mode. Excellent even if you're not a drummer!
- Note mode to play like a real instrument with excellent control of velocity and aftertouch, aided by the pre-selection of the key in which you want to play. Several pads trigger the same note, which allows you to play with two hands with a little practice. Again the repeat mode with a lot to do in particular sequences of bass. A variant of the mode using notes to play chords in the key selected.
- The step sequencer that allows user to record sequences of an instrument stepping on one or more measures.
- An automation mode to modulate any parameter during a sequence (volume, effect level, cutoff of a synth ...) as effective as Elektron! (I can compare, I have an Analog Four).
- Then there are the classic Browser and Music modes that allow respectively to trigger clips or act on the parameters of a clip.

This is an exceptional interface to compose experimenting. Whenever I use it, I start from nothing, and less than an hour I complete a piece bases without a clear idea in mind. And the result always surprises me.
Compared with a keyboard, the pads can discover new places because we ended up taking habits with a keyboard that is broken necessarily playing differently with the pads. To create sequences I even find that the pads are more suitable than the keyboard. Against by a keyboard is much more effective to play a solo or agreements. Finally, it is a matter of taste ...

To play VSTi synth is absolutely great, the point of having the impression of having a hardware machine by hand. Can act on the parameters of the synth that we have mapped the pots of Push. The parameter name appears on the display of the push. Playing sequences with pads so we can interact live with VST and save modulation effects with automation. Creativity has no limits!

Provided it is not possible to do everything from the push. We can not dispense with the mouse to load clips or load VST. So the mouse is still often a good friend to prepare project in live. But is this really a problem? Not really.

A Must Have for all owners of Live.

used for more than one month

I tried many controllers dedicated to Live (or not) (APC40, Launchpad, MPD32 ...)

what I love most: smooth, fast, efficient! Finally, it is possible to improvise and create loops on the fly, ideal for playing with other musicians (instrumentalists or electro)
better than MPC, better than groovebox was both the best hardware with a very well done and intuitive controller and software with Live which allows all settings and configurations.

what I like least: nothing for transport! (Cover etc.) And yet it is bound to move the Push!