WHATS NEW WITH PUSH ABLETON LIVE 9.6 SOFTWARE
The design is very much in keeping with Ableton's approach in the software realm, and has a very strong sense of minimalist aesthetic simplicity. We have to say that we've handled more than our fair share of MIDI gear, and there aren't many mass-produced controllers that feel and look as well-crafted as this. Those other ports we mentioned earlier all sit along the rear of the device, and include a brushed-metal power button, a 6V DC input (adapter included), a USB port and two 1/4-inch jacks for pedals. None of them are clickable, as is sometimes the case, but they're touch-sensitive up top, which adds extra functionality. All the rotaries are endless (you can twist them forever), and are entirely smooth in their motion, bar one, which has a notched action to allow easy setting of fixed values. The black buttons on either side, however, are slightly looser and have more of a "clicking" action. The pads in the central grid are pressure-sensitive (how hard you push affects the sound) and feel extremely firm / mashable, with only a small amount of travel. Overall, the finish of the casing feels great, and is of the soft-touch variety - similar to that found on many phones and tablets.
On the left side, there's also a touch-strip between the center pads and the black control buttons. Above the central grid are another two rows of smaller buttons, an LCD display and nine rotary controllers. A large 8 x 8 grid of white rubber pads takes center stage, flanked on the left and right by smaller black buttons with a different, harder, plastic feel than the central white ones. Bar a few connections around the back, all the action can be found along the top surface. The weight falls very much into the "reassuringly heavy" category, though if you're a fan of lighter units such as the Launchpad, it might initially feel a little cumbersome. The square device measures 14.5 x 11.5 x 1 inch, and weighs 6.6 pounds. Remove Push from the box, and the first thing that strikes you is how dense it is. There aren't many mass-produced controllers that feel and look as well-crafted as this. With those fresh in our memories, let's look at Ableton's spin on things. Both are Ableton-specific controllers, which arguably have at least in some way influenced the Push we're evaluating today. We already alluded to the fact that there are myriad MIDI controllers in all shapes and sizes, but there are two in particular that are worth knowing about before we go on for context - Novation's Launchpad and Akai's APC40. But how well does it work? Is it an instrument? Will it replace all your other controllers? Do you want one? Is it worth the $599 pre-order price? Will it blend? We've pushed ourselves to explore the device fully in an effort to find out (apart from that last question, of course). And, given that Ableton makes the software that it's building Push for, integration is understandably expected to be airtight. It's one that hopes to unite hardware and software in a way that an all-purpose controller never could.Ībleton also has lofty musical ambitions for Push: it claims it designed the hardware as an instrument in and of itself something that lets you close the lid of the laptop and use to make music with, while not looking like you are checking your email. While there have been Live-specific controllers before - some even officially endorsed by Ableton - Push is a whole new beast. Ableton clearly didn't think this arrangement was up to snuff, though, so it created Push - a software controller built entirely for the latest version of its popular Live production software. They come in all shapes and sizes, but to be profitable, they need to appeal to a broad range of applications. The problem is they're generic by nature.
WHATS NEW WITH PUSH ABLETON LIVE 9.6 PROFESSIONAL
As such, the MIDI controller is a fairly established staple in professional and bedroom studios alike. MIDI might be a little long in the tooth as protocols go, but it's been the prevailing standard for getting music hardware and software to play nice pretty much since its inception.