Ableton Push 3 - STANDALONE ABLETON LIVE!

[joeyluck]

The only part of this I'm interested in is MPE, but of course can't justify the price to use it as a controller. Maybe they'll release a controller version?

Yes. For $999. Upgradable to standalone.
It's a great alternative if you were looking into something like the Linnstrument, but with full integration with Live, and audio interface with ADAT. Push 3 is not that expensive, from that perspective.

Ok yeah that's still a bit much for what I would use it for. I was having a hard time finding it since Ableton products are no longer sold in stores. I have my Roli Seaboard for MPE stuff. I'm always interested in more MPE controllers, but not that interested in this for that price.

[bxbrkrz]

Yes. For $999. Upgradable to standalone.
It's a great alternative if you were looking into something like the Linnstrument, but with full integration with Live, and audio interface with ADAT. Push 3 is not that expensive, from that perspective.

Ok yeah that's still a bit much for what I would use it for. I was having a hard time finding it since Ableton products are no longer sold in stores. I have my Roli Seaboard for MPE stuff. I'm always interested in more MPE controllers, but not that interested in this for that price.

Looks like everything Ableton will be sold from their own store from now on? Maybe. The Seaboard RISE 2 looks fantastic.

[joeyluck]

Ok yeah that's still a bit much for what I would use it for. I was having a hard time finding it since Ableton products are no longer sold in stores. I have my Roli Seaboard for MPE stuff. I'm always interested in more MPE controllers, but not that interested in this for that price.

Looks like everything Ableton will be sold from their own store from now on? Maybe. The Seaboard RISE 2 looks fantastic.

Yeah I've also got my eye on that. Being a keyboard player, I do prefer the keyboard layout. I was lucky to get a Seaboard Block when they were available. I hope they bring those back because they were the absolute best and most affordable way to get a great MPE controller. Just $300. They could charge more and it would still be a great deal.

[EnochLight]

Ok yeah that's still a bit much for what I would use it for. I was having a hard time finding it since Ableton products are no longer sold in stores. I have my Roli Seaboard for MPE stuff. I'm always interested in more MPE controllers, but not that interested in this for that price.

I dunno' - for just $200 USD more than the original Push 2 price, you get a quality MPE 64-pad controller as well as an audio interface that has ADAT ports. That's sort of steal for $999 USD. For you, already having MPE controllers like the Seaboard and an audio interface, maybe not - but anyone else that doesn't have an MPE controller and wants one, and uses Ableton Live as their primary DAW, and could use an audio interface - even the plane jane controller for $999 USD is a crazy good deal.

[joeyluck]

Ok yeah that's still a bit much for what I would use it for. I was having a hard time finding it since Ableton products are no longer sold in stores. I have my Roli Seaboard for MPE stuff. I'm always interested in more MPE controllers, but not that interested in this for that price.

I dunno' - for just $200 USD more than the original Push 2 price, you get a quality MPE 64-pad controller as well as an audio interface that has ADAT ports. That's sort of steal for $999 USD. For you, already having MPE controllers like the Seaboard and an audio interface, maybe not - but anyone else that doesn't have an MPE controller and wants one, and uses Ableton Live as their primary DAW, and could use an audio interface - even the plane jane controller for $999 USD is a crazy good deal.

Well yeah, you're mentioning more features other than controller features...that's the point I was making

[DaveyG]

I dunno' - for just $200 USD more than the original Push 2 price, you get a quality MPE 64-pad controller as well as an audio interface that has ADAT ports. That's sort of steal for $999 USD. For you, already having MPE controllers like the Seaboard and an audio interface, maybe not - but anyone else that doesn't have an MPE controller and wants one, and uses Ableton Live as their primary DAW, and could use an audio interface - even the plane jane controller for $999 USD is a crazy good deal.

Well yeah, you're mentioning more features other than controller features...that's the point I was making

I think almost every new Push purchaser will already have a decent audio interface so I guess it is aimed at live performers who want a minimal number of boxes on stage.

One of the reviews suggested there might be a Push Mini in the pipeline, losing all that non-controller stuff. It's just speculation though, and even if it's true there is no guarantee they would keep the MPE stuff. On a broader note I'm really surprised how slow the MPE "revolution" is going. I thought it would quickly gain momentum but it continues to be very sporadic. I don't know whether it is the extra cost of implementing it in hardware or just lack of interest on the part of developers and/or consumers. I guess another reason might be that many people know the acronym but don't really understand what it can do and there is also some confusion between MPE and MIDI 2.0.

[EnochLight]

Well yeah, you're mentioning more features other than controller features...that's the point I was making

I get that, but my point is - the additional features are well worth the additional cost for new users IMHO. Nowhere on the planet can you find a quality MPE controller like this that also comes with an ADAT-capable audio interface. Honestly, Ableton has priced Push 3 (not standalone) very well, IMHO. As for the standalone Push 3, I'm a bit shocked it's $2000 USD and doesn't even come with regular Live. If I dropped $2K on that thing and didn't own Live, I'd be locked at 16 tracks and Live Lite - which is crap.

[I think almost every new Push purchaser will already have a decent audio interface

Will they? There are plenty of bedroom musicians starting out that still have crappy integrated audio on their laptop or desktop. Not all those who get into computer based audio production start out with a quality interface. Kids are using whatever mom and dad got them. And for those who do have an interface, now you don't have to disconnect it from the studio and take it with you when you go gigging. Push 3 has one already.

[DaveyG]

[I think almost every new Push purchaser will already have a decent audio interface

Will they? There are plenty of bedroom musicians starting out that still have crappy integrated audio on their laptop or desktop.

Yes, I think the majority of Push purchasers will already have an interface. Of course there are plenty of people using built-in audio but that's because they can't or won't spend the $100 to $200 on an interface so they are unlikely to spend a grand (or two!) on a Push. And most people don't know what to do with an ADAT interface and probably don't want to spend out for an ADAT expander. For me, the ADAT is a strange inclusion. Ableton Live is all about working in-the-box and now you have the option to have the box in a portable unit but neither of those workflows need loads of audio i/o. There will be people who make use of it but I'm sure it will be a minority.

I'm certainly interested to see how it goes though.

[EnochLight]

Yes, I think the majority of Push purchasers will already have an interface. Of course there are plenty of people using built-in audio but that's because they can't or won't spend the $100 to $200 on an interface so they are unlikely to spend a grand (or two!) on a Push. And most people don't know what to do with an ADAT interface and probably don't want to spend out for an ADAT expander. For me, the ADAT is a strange inclusion. Ableton Live is all about working in-the-box and now you have the option to have the box in a portable unit but neither of those workflows need loads of audio i/o. There will be people who make use of it but I'm sure it will be a minority.

I'm certainly interested to see how it goes though.

I'm also interested to see how it goe. That said, many probably do, but Ableton's survival depends on bringing new customers into the fold. These are the kids that are building their first rig for the very first time. These are the young musicians (I freak'n hate to use the word "producer", because everyone calls themself a "producer" ) getting their first serious groovebox/production machine. Those users very well may not have a decent audio interface. In fact, most "kids" don't. They have whatever mom and dad gave them. My kids got whatever I gave them, and so did their friends via their parents - and most of the time that was the shitty integrated audio on whatever hand-me-down computer they were given.

But assuming for a moment that most everyone already has rockstar audio interfaces, Push 3 now allows you to take either *just* your Push 3 and laptop (controller version), or *just* Push 3. And that's it. Because it already has an audio interface. No need to lug around additional gear that can be lost or damaged. Any gigging musician can surely appreciate that.

[fullforce]

So, funny thing - the CPU in Ableton Push 3 (standalone) is far more powerful than my current desktop CPU despite have 2 less cores and a lower clock speed! LMAO!!!

Dude seriously, an 8 year old CPU vs a brand new one.

[joeyluck]

Well it's difficult to reach new customers when your products aren't in stores. The kids getting into music making are buying what they can get their hands on.

[EnochLight]

So, funny thing - the CPU in Ableton Push 3 (standalone) is far more powerful than my current desktop CPU despite have 2 less cores and a lower clock speed! LMAO!!!

Dude seriously, an 8 year old CPU vs a brand new one.

My point is - Push 3 standalone has a fairly beefy CPU for what it needs to do. My old-ass PC runs Windows 10 (notoriously CPU-hoggy) and Live 11 Suite just fine, along with a metric ton of plugins. All Push 3 has to do is run a scaled down custom version of Linux and just Live. That's awesome.

[DaveyG]

Even though I mentioned the L word earlier I hadn't really considered that Live does not support Linux so they've done a whole chunk of work to get that working. I wonder if they are planning to release a desktop Linux version.

[bxbrkrz]

If you factor the cost of developing Live Linux, Max For Live Linux, and Push 3. And no leaks (yes, I remember the rumors on Reddit, but still).
What a tight ship.

[miyaru]

I have a Push2 and Live 10 Suite. But I have to say, since I jumped the bandwagon on Reason again, I used my Push2 for Reason with the PusheR2 software only.

I do not use Live not much anymore.

So for me jumping to Push3 would be a thing that is not going to happen. I think the Push3 is much overprized for what I would do with it. I can imagen that there are people out there that could justify the cost for their workflow.

What I do find interesting and fair is the fact that you can later upgrade the Push3 controller to a stand alone version.

Well anyone jumping to the Push3: have fun and a good time with it!!!

[PhillipOrdonez]

MPE pads will be so much fun with MPE RRP one day, eventually, hopefully, soon maybe
One critical aspect this device has is you could upgrade the computer inside, even from the regular Push 3. That's really big for me and my allergy to purposeful e-waste. I hope the (old by then) battery could be swapped to.

That's two things we can agree on, you cryptic fellow forum user.

[PhillipOrdonez]

I'm waiting for arranger capabilities and then I'll consider jumping on this. I already have a sketchpad that is standalone and spits out .als in clip mode () the mode I resist using in live. So, this push 3, amazing feat in porting live to a box, earns extra points for allowing for upgradeability, while interesting and on my radar, feels too expensive for me, and only a fully integrated arranger mode would make this worth buying in standalone format for becoming that ideal device for those idyllic, almost utopian couch sessions.

[bxbrkrz]

MPE pads will be so much fun with MPE RRP one day, eventually, hopefully, soon maybe
One critical aspect this device has is you could upgrade the computer inside, even from the regular Push 3. That's really big for me and my allergy to purposeful e-waste. I hope the (old by then) battery could be swapped to.

That's two things we can agree on, you cryptic fellow forum user.

I don't know what you mean. I am as open as the Voynich manuscript.