Ableton Push 3 - standalone MPE controller

[jules99]

I wasn’t impressed much by the idea of the audio interface but even with a laptop it really helps turn two bits of gear into a proper portable live performance kit. I wonder if it will help me find an audience too…

you just need a little push...

[SLiC]

I was thinking about travel and portability... my Linnstrument 128, Babyface Pro and laptop fit in a regular knapsack/backpack and nothing needs to be plugged in. I can go sit in the park making music for hours with that setup.

You must live in a nice area if you can get four grands worth of gear out in a park it would be the similar setup with just a Push 3 controller and a laptop…no need for the Babyface. A lot of people will find that option simpler as well as a lot cheaper…it’s less to carry and connect up, just 1 usb cable.

Ps - don’t forget once MOSS gets his hands on it, it will be an MPE Controller, your Audio IO and a top notch Bitwig controller with touch pots and a jog wheel for scrolling, transport, touch strip….it’s the one bit of kit that does it all!

[pc999]

It seems really cool! and the standalone part is golden in my eye. I am really impressed although it is expensive.

It seems to have lots of potential and seems like it will receive many software updates for the shortcomings and give Ableton past it is quite believable they will deliver (unlike Akai, that lately is just making money selling, not so great, plugins).

Plus it is great they thought so much about build quality, repairability and upgradeability, that is good for the costumer and to the environment, this is what I expect from an EU company.

I hope there will be a Bitwig scrip very soon.

[whyterabbyt]

Sensel is no more unless you get one second hand.

I know, I own one. And the original question didnt make availability a constraint.

Ah, so it doesn’t actually have to be available to be a competitor!

No it doesn't actually have to be be anything other than an answer to the original question. Could you stop throwing in strawmen that have nothing to do with what I was responding to; it wasnt even your question I was answering.

[nanostream]

Man I know a lot of people exclusively use arragement view but for idea creation session view feels so much better imo.

I prefer arrangement view, but yeah, session view isn’t too bad for throwing stuff against the wall. I’ll have to adapt my workflow anyway, so I’m open to it.

Does anyone know if it’s possible to use Push to record automation into a „finished“ arrangement, or do I have to use clips in session view first?

[SLiC]

Sensel is no more unless you get one second hand.

I know, I own one. And the original question didnt make availability a constraint.

Ah, so it doesn’t actually have to be available to be a competitor!

No it doesn't actually have to be be anything other than an answer to the original question. Could you stop throwing in strawmen that have nothing to do with what I was responding to; it wasnt even your question I was answering.

I think you may need to re-read the context as I was responding to the fact that the ‘original question’ as to was what was available as an alternative. I think pointing out that the sensel morph has been discontinued is entirely relevant to someone looking for an alternative and the reason I have an EARE touch….

What a pointless and unhelpful argument for people considering the value of a PUSH 3!

[whyterabbyt]

What a pointless and unhelpful argument

Yeah, well maybe try not doing it next time, then.

[pdxindy]

I was thinking about travel and portability... my Linnstrument 128, Babyface Pro and laptop fit in a regular knapsack/backpack and nothing needs to be plugged in. I can go sit in the park making music for hours with that setup.

You must live in a nice area if you can get four grands worth of gear out in a park it would be the similar setup with just a Push 3 controller and a laptop…no need for the Babyface. A lot of people will find that option simpler as well as a lot cheaper…it’s less to carry and connect up, just 1 usb cable.

$4 Grand? My laptop alone costs that.
By the time I add in the rest it's over $6G!

The Push 3 is too big to fit in a regular backpack. The Push 3 controller, without the CPU, still weighs more than the Linnstrument and Babyface together, so it isn't less to carry in terms of weight. Personally the weight difference wouldn't matter to me... it's the size that's too big for easy backpack carrying.

Also, when I take my portable setup out, I usually bring a quality condenser mic. Push 3 audio interface does not have phantom power so it doesn't support Condenser mics.

That to me is the problem with these all in one solutions. The audio interface in the Push 3 is not sufficient for my studio use. I already have a higher quality interface and if I were buying the Push 3 would rather not pay for the interface that I wouldn't use.

Overall, I think the Push 3 is excellent and that Ableton did a fantastic job with it. I hope it will be a great success cause that moves MPE forward. Just wouldn't be a choice for me in terms of my portable setup. And of course I already have a Linnstrument, ERAE Touch and Osmose so my MPE needs are covered.

[whyterabbyt]

Im curious as to whether they'll (eventually) allow the user to access the CPU power of the standalone system if it were to be used alongside a 'regular' system running Live. Something Overbridge-y or somesuch.

[simmo75]

I was thinking about travel and portability... my Linnstrument 128, Babyface Pro and laptop fit in a regular knapsack/backpack and nothing needs to be plugged in. I can go sit in the park making music for hours with that setup.

You must live in a nice area if you can get four grands worth of gear out in a park it would be the similar setup with just a Push 3 controller and a laptop…no need for the Babyface. A lot of people will find that option simpler as well as a lot cheaper…it’s less to carry and connect up, just 1 usb cable.

$4 Grand? My laptop alone costs that.
By the time I add in the rest it's over $6G!

The Push 3 is too big to fit in a regular backpack. The Push 3 controller, without the CPU, still weighs more than the Linnstrument and Babyface together, so it isn't less to carry in terms of weight. Personally the weight difference wouldn't matter to me... it's the size that's too big for easy backpack carrying.

Also, when I take my portable setup out, I usually bring a quality condenser mic. Push 3 audio interface does not have phantom power so it doesn't support Condenser mics.

That to me is the problem with these all in one solutions. The audio interface in the Push 3 is not sufficient for my studio use. I already have a higher quality interface and if I were buying the Push 3 would rather not pay for the interface that I wouldn't use.

Overall, I think the Push 3 is excellent and that Ableton did a fantastic job with it. I hope it will be a great success cause that moves MPE forward. Just wouldn't be a choice for me in terms of my portable setup. And of course I already have a Linnstrument, ERAE Touch and Osmose so my MPE needs are covered.

I don’t know whether you’re being serious or taking the piss now, haha

A $4k laptop
A babyface audio interface
A linnstrument
And now a condenser microphone

You take all of that shit to make music in a park?

But the Push 3 is too big???

Haha. You’re killing me here, lol

[simmo75]

Nm

[SLiC]

What a pointless and unhelpful argument

Yeah, well maybe try not doing it next time, then.

I have no idea why you are so upset about me me saying the Sensel was no longer available and suggesting the EARE touch instead but whatever…life’s to short to argue online…

[pdxindy]

I don’t know whether you’re being serious or taking the piss now, haha

A $4k laptop
A babyface audio interface
A linnstrument
And now a condenser microphone

You take all of that shit to make music in a park?

But the Push 3 is too big???

Haha. You’re killing me here, lol

Why should the cost have anything to do with it? And yes, I enjoy going for a hike and finding a nice spot to sit and make music. That's weird to you?

And that gear all easily fits in my backpack and the yes, the Push 3 wouldn't. Sometimes I also bring a flute or a small thumb piano. That also fits in the backpack with the other gear and adds very little weight.

[Trensharo]

Every single instrument and FX and MAX4Live device that work in Live Suite work in PUSH 3 Standalone- its exactly the same software just limited by CPU Power (i3 included but you can put whatever processor you want in if you want more power). Interesting its running in Linux so I wonder if there will be a new Linux version of Live!

That's untrue. The CPU and RAM come on a custom baord and the CPU is custom tailored for the Push 3, so you cannot just take an off the shelf CPU and put it in there. Same wih tthe RAM. You won't be upgrading it to 16GB RAM or whatever off-the-shelf. It's packaged "like" an SOC, practically speaking.

This means that you're going to be upgrading with Ableton Push CPU Boards, which they are likely to continue to sell for $900US+ in the future.

If the SSD is standard NVMe, then that should be upgradable - provided they aren't using some proprietary file system with no way to format it on-device (which would basically force you to buy preformatted SSDs from them). They're probably just going to use some Linux FS, though.

I kind of agree with others. IT's too expensive, and it's bundled with Live Intro so you don't even get much for value on that end. What SKU of Live is loaded in the Firmware? I feel like the software you get bundled should at least be equalized with the firmware in terms of instruments and content availability. Otherwise, the entire solution starts forcing choices on the user.

Maschine MK3 with a Laptop is as complete a studio as this, so the selling point is mostly as a standalone - particularly when you consider the price increase off of Push 2.

2 Hours battery life is effectively UPS backup power, to me. Lol.

[SLiC]

And of course I already have a Linnstrument, ERAE Touch and Osmose so my MPE needs are covered.

Yup my Osmose will remain my main MPE controller, I just need to decide if I need the ERAE and a PUSH 3 (I will upgrade my 2!). I pretty much just use the ERAE for percussion (with sticks) so probably will have both