KVR Audio

5Lives · Post by **5Lives** » Fri Sep 26, 2014 8:29 pm

Hi all,

Thinking of getting rid of my Maschine MK1 and getting Ableton + Push instead. Thoughts?

On one hand, Maschine is great - easy to build up drum kits using the hardware and browse. Has a step sequencer. Good pads - though I'm not really a finger drummer, so doesn't matter much.

On the other hand, I can't stand the MIDI editor or that it starts all patterns at 1 bar (vs. Ableton letting you just record until you stop). Layering samples is not as easy as using a drum rack in Ableton.

I want to use Ableton as a sketchpad for songwriting and ideas before moving into Pro Tools for the full production, recording, and mix. Push seems appealing because it integrates well with Ableton, but may not be worth it if I'm only going to use Ableton as a sketchpad?

Thoughts?

Thanks!

topaz · Post by **topaz** » Fri Sep 26, 2014 8:36 pm

Yeh do it, but it's probably not worth selling maschine mk1 as it's completely devalued.

I love push, i do exactly what you say.

Write in live 9 suite then export stems and mix in pt10

It's a great combination.

Push is so much more than maschine.

xbitz · Post by **xbitz** » Fri Sep 26, 2014 8:48 pm

don't forget to check:

AudioModder VST Bridge for Ableton Push (OS X 64 bit / Windows 7+)

Ableton Push VST Bridge is a library of converted VST presets. It allows owners of Native Instruments Komplete 9 Ultimate 64 Bit VST's, Maschine 1.8.2, UAD Plugins and Soundtoys Native Effects (64 Bit Au only) to utilise presets through Push's browser. Furthermore it opens up many Kontakt, Reaktor instruments, and Guitar Rig presets directly, which is usually a multi-step mouse driven process.

Instruments like Razor, Massive and many others have dials pre-configured so your ready for step automation in Live 9.1 64 Bit when you load any preset from Push.

For Maschine, you can load any kit straight from the Live or Push browser. Every kit is an Ableton preset with split 16 channel routing of sounds configured in Live drum racks. This doesn't just benefit users of Push, but Maschine 1.8.2 users in general- you have 16 individual audio chains ready to add Live's effects and automation. It lets you sequence all your beats and effects automation in Live clips for Maschine. M4L users will benefit from being able to step automate 8 ready mapped parameters per Maschine sound (128 total parameters) when its released.

- http://audiomodder.myshopify.com/collec ... vst-bridge

--

btw Lemur has a Push emulation library : Shove, https://liine.net/en/community/user-library/view/421/ so u can try it if u have an ipad

Ogopogo · Post by **Ogopogo** » Fri Sep 26, 2014 9:01 pm

If you're interested in Push, Bitwig might also be an option. At the moment push on Bitwig can't do everything it can in Ableton but there is a controller api update coming that will add a lot of functionality, though I don't know if it will add everything. I believe the Bitwig devs said that update could arrive anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months from now.

http://www.bitwig.com/en/community/cont ... ush_1.html

xbitz · Post by **xbitz** » Fri Sep 26, 2014 9:03 pm

btw 2: Push has a third-party client http://www.nativekontrol.com/PXT-General.html so not sure but very likely that u will able to use it directly with pro-tools too (I'm using it with FL Studio beside AL) it's a very nice one

5Lives · Post by **5Lives** » Fri Sep 26, 2014 9:07 pm

Thanks all.

Not interested in Bitwig since it seems like it has a ways to go to catch up with more mature DAWs. Even though I plan on "only" using Ableton for sketching, the more I can do, the less roadblocks.

Not trying to use Push to completely replace the keyboard & mouse - I will likely load instruments, etc. using the mouse. No issues with that. Primarily using Push to program drums, trigger clips, and control Ableton's transport. Wondering if maybe a Launchpad is a better solution in that case with some script? Don't know if that will have the step sequencer though which I really would like.

Not sure why I'd use Push in Pro Tools? Without the PXT script, I can still use it as a MIDI controller with something like Battery right? Will have to check the PXT script out more.

zerocrossing · Post by **zerocrossing** » Fri Sep 26, 2014 9:09 pm

Push is great, but it's not without warts. If you want to use it to control an instrument you'll quickly find it sends aftertouch all the time. If you have M4L there's a free plug in that will let you add a aftertouch threshold control. Also, no modwheel...

Of course, if you're just step sequencing you won't care about such things.

I have Maschine Mk1 as well. I keep it because like someone said, for what you'll get for it you may as well keep it for it's content. For instance,Live does not come with anything approaching Massive.

Maschine...

It's so close to being great it makes me hate it. The only thing I really use it for these days is just quickly messing about and banging out beats, but it's far too clumsy to work in to sequence out a full track of drums.

xbitz · Post by **xbitz** » Fri Sep 26, 2014 9:14 pm

PXT : Push is a great tool for finding chords or creating chord progressions check the https://www.udemy.com/music-theory-with ... eton-push/ for more, it's a free one

and I like FL better then AL

for creating things

so it's an instrument itself not just a controlling tool

foosnark · Post by **foosnark** » Fri Sep 26, 2014 9:25 pm

either Maschine works for you, or it doesn't. I'm a convert. The workflow has some rough spots to be sure, but overall I still find it insipring. It's not as good for step sequencing as many other options, but I've really enjoyed stepping away from step sequencing.

I think if you're not a finger drummer and the workflow just doesn't gel for you, you are better off with something else.

Personally, I never did get the hang of Live.

topaz · Post by **topaz** » Fri Sep 26, 2014 9:38 pm

You can already do that and more with your maschine.

5Lives wrote: Primarily using Push to program drums, trigger clips, and control Ableton's transport.

maschinelf · Post by **maschinelf** » Fri Sep 26, 2014 10:16 pm

Btw you can set the default pattern length within maschine preferences, so all new patterns are not necessarily 1 bar.

xbitz · Post by **xbitz** » Sat Sep 27, 2014 8:14 am

forgot to mention but the other two PXT extensions are must have ones too

http://www.nativekontrol.com/PXT-Live.html
http://www.nativekontrol.com/PXT-Live_Plus.html

ShawnG · Post by **ShawnG** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 3:53 am

Maschine makes a decent Live controller too, there's quite a few controller templates around. so you could keep your maschine and use it for live and save you some cash on push. if you have a tablet, there are a lot of live controller apps for launching slips etc... as well.

lachrimae · Post by **lachrimae** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 4:35 am

I know this will sound like I work for PXT (which I don't), but when I first bought Push I also purchased PXT-General which can be used with other hosts, and can be used with Ableton (I primarily use Reaper & Live). About 6 months later I finally studied up on what the Ableton specific PXT products had to offer (PXT Live and PXT Live Plus) and holy hell, I should have purchased those licenses a long time ago.
I don't recall exactly but I think if you buy all 3 licenses it'll cost around $90 but for the depth it provides it's worth much more than that.
Go watch the youtube vids for PXT Live Plus and you'll see what I mean... I don't know why Ableton hasn't hired the PXT guy because he does very good work.

I don't own Maschine so I can't compare it to Push but I will say that I use my Push quite a bit as an MCU in Reaper, and as a performance instrument in both DAWs.

xbitz · Post by **xbitz** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 5:22 am

PXT Live : I simply love the step automation part of it

Swapping Maschine for Push?