May 22, 2023

Ableton Push 3 is here. Ok, but what does it mean? Let’s pick out the 3 headlines.

First off, there are two versions of Ableton Push 3 on sale at launch. Push 3 and Push 3 Standalone. Yep, you heard that right, Stand-alone. What’s important to realise before we go further is that the base model can later be upgraded to become standalone, more on that in a moment. 

So, there are 3 main headlines in what Push 3 offers and means;

• Expressivity is number 1: Ableton Push 3 now has full implementation of MPE, aka MIDI Polyphonic Expression; this means crazily, and I mean crazily expressive pads. We can now glide smoothly between notes polyphonically, playing Push more like a sort of stringed instrument. Secondly we can slide our fingers up and down on each pad to add effects to every - individual - note we’re playing. This is wild, and works with compatible Ableton Live instruments, plugins and external hardware. Basically, Push’s grid just became hyper expressive, each pad essentially its own mini XYZ controller. I’m making a big video going into detail on this feature which I’ll link below when it’s done, and I’ve launched an online course which I’m really excited about, specifically showing you how to design these sounds yourself using Push. It’s such an exciting feature, and a hell of a lot of fun. But, what’s the headline here? Anyone using Push as an instrument just gained a really exciting new avenue for expression.

• Connectivity is headline number 2: Both Push 3 models can become the central hub for our studio, the physical equivalent to how Ableton Live is the host and connector for software. Push is essentially now a Soundcard with various audio inputs and outputs; we can sample directly into Live via Push (albeit still in a limited fashion if using only Push) and connect our speakers and headphones. We can connect the rest of our studio setup via USB and 3.5mm MIDI as well as CV, and add up to 16 audio inputs and outputs with an ADAT “expander”. This last one with just a couple of cables (with neat lights on the end). The Headline: Push can now “Pull” everything together in one place, if you so wish.

• Portability is number 3: Unique to Push 3 Standalone is that it has its own CPU, Storage and battery, meaning we can run Ableton Live inside Push. This means we can realise the dream of standing up from our desk, unplugging Push, and then sitting down somewhere else and noodling away. I had a two hour, unplugged session on my couch the other day and it was glorious. After that we can ****throw Push in a backpack, go jam with friends or get up on stage with a (hopefully) rock-solid setup that won’t let us down. What’s amazing and important to consider is that buying Push is now a little bit like buying a car, in that you can buy the standard, non-standalone version of Push and then upgrade it later with a kit so that you too have Ableton Live running inside Push. Just don’t hang any magic trees on it. This also means that upgrading the individual components such as CPU, Storage and Battery should be possible in the future. What does this mean? Push 3 is designed to be as future-proof as possible, and this is welcome, and important.

So, these are the headlines.

Expressivity, Connectivity, Portability.

There is so much more to talk about. I’ll be going massively in depth on all these topics in the (new) Push Bible courses, (amen); see the link below for those as they will be on introductory sale for a short time.

Ultimately, what matters is where do these features and changes fit into your workflow. Sometimes it’s immediately obvious, sometimes it takes a moment. Given that Push is based entirely on what Ableton Live itself can do as software, so much still rides on the software itself and how this develops in the future. The focus on MPE the last years has been exciting, and we now have amazing new or updated instruments to use with Push 3.

I would however argue that now is the time for some really big quality of life improvements to how Push interacts with Live itself - and we all have our own lists - I hope Push 3 will drive this faster than ever before. That said, and speaking personally, I struggle to imagine making music without a Push, no matter which model. Push 3 is a further evolution of a compelling, coherent concept. What’s new this time round is something arguably profound; Push 3 standalone is a studio in a box; instruments, effects, inputs and outputs all in one place.

Join the WRKSHP mailing list and subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn more and to catch my other detailed videos and blog posts as they come.

Let me know your questions and thought on Ableton Push 3 so I can take them on in other videos as soon as possible.

Finally, it’s worth mentioning that Ableton sent me a pre-production unit to test out and give my feedback on - which I really appreciate - but they have no say on anything I’m sharing with you in this blog post or the accompanying video.