Ableton Push 3 Controller / Instrument

The Push 2 was considered a design classic by many and integrated so perfectly with the Live software that countless musicians now use as an instrument in its own right. Yet, for all this it still relied on being attached to a computer. And some, (this writer included), longed for a version of Push and the Live software, that could function as a single, standalone hardware device; and now, with the release of the Push 3 – it can!

Not only that, it also has a built-in audio interface, allowing either mics or instruments to be plugged directly in via the two jack sockets on the rear panel, as well as having two audio outs to send to monitors or mixing desk. These can be expanded via ADAT (Alesis Digital Audio Tape) for an additional eight inputs or outputs. The brains of the standalone version is a built-in Intel 11th Gen Core i3-1115G4 processor with 8GB of RAM – which some reviewers and users have complained isn’t as powerful as a new M1 Mac or a power PC. However, as the Ableton website states: “The Intel NUC Compute Element features a processor, RAM memory and WiFi. It gives Push the power to play complex Live Sets in Standalone Mode. This element has been specially adapted for Push, and paves the way for more powerful Intel processors to be made available for your instrument in the future.” And this is another smart move by Ableton – offering the Push 3 as both standalone unit and a ‘tethered’ one that functions as a midi controller but with the audio interface – plus a removable panel underneath that will allow users to purchase the computer element at a later date and upgrade through a relatively straightforward process.

The standalone version also comes with a built-in lithium battery with up to 2.5 hours play time and a built-in 256GB SSD hard drive. Notably there’s also a splitable headphone output as well as midi-in-midi-out – to integrate with any hardware gear that receives midi - making Push the centrepiece of your set up.

Other notable differences with the Push 3 are the substantially sized ‘jogwheel’ that functions almost like a mouse, and can be nudged left, right, spun and pressed down to navigate anything that’s on the beautiful screen. On the left are two more dedicated, smaller, wheels, one for input, output, headphone and main volumes, plus a tempo/ quantize/swing controller. The numerous buttons have been rearranged into a more logical formation to speed up workflow. The other big upgrades with Push 3 are the 64 pads, that now allow for seamless slides and glissandos when moving one’s finger sideways or horizontally – the Push 2 (and Live) already supported MPE - MIDI Polyphonic Expression – but now each individual pad is fully MPE enabled and is hyper sensitive to touch.

In use as both instrument and audio interface, the big difference now is that your focus can be in just one place: any volume, EQ and compression adjustments can be done quickly – and being able to use Ableton’s myriad built in effects can easily be a substitute for a cumbersome guitar pedal board. The pads are unique and are only rivalled for sensitivity by the likes of ROLI in terms of expressiveness. Simplifying things allows one to focus on getting on with making music – decluttering and cutting to the creative chase can only be a good thing.

The rub is that the standalone version has an RRP of £1,669 – not cheap, but when compared to having a separate audio interface, pedals, keyboard, plus computer, it sort of evens out. That said, the tethered version is around half that at £879 – still an investment, but one that should stand the test of time. Ultimately, Ableton have taken the first bold step into a new era of hybrid devices and the Push 3 is going to be hard to beat.

For full details visit www.ableton.com/en/push/