Push 2 : Incredible offer, just don't look under the rug.

3 years ago

TLDR

It's a great controller for home / studio use. For serious professional live performances, be smart and invest in top end hardware. This is a toy.

SCORING

I'm not following any kind of logic here, just going by feels. I'm very picky about my stuff so I'm taking away points where I've been hurt:

# Look & Feel: 9/10

It feels premium. It's great to touch, use, and look at.

# Overall Quality: 6/10

-- Has a lot of rough edges

-- Ableton should charge more and put only the best of the best in hardware.

-- Normal playing will sometimes fire a note at full velocity. Velocity detection range is that great either it works against you when trying to be expressive.

-- The touch slider indicator light is not centered which often causes me to press where the light is and the detection there isn't good.

-- Inconsistent twist feel / force on FX modulator knobs.

# Features 8/10

-- Lacks support for arrangement mode, but the potential is there, you just need to program it yourself. I'd take away another point here, but I purchased it knowing that fact.

-- Lacks support for programming it, requires third party solutions for more control.

-- Would've appreciated a more open software stack.

# Fun factor: 11/10

-- So much fun!

# Push Community: 11/10

-- A lot of cool tricks, apps, hacks, the community is really involved.

FINAL VERDICT

Would I buy again if I could go back in time? Yes.

Would I go play a big show in front of thousands with this? Hell no!

Nothing else gives you this many features; in this small form factor and at this price. Yes I know it's big, but compare it to a fully decked out 61 keys keyboard and you'll be glad to have a device this small you can place and play anywhere.

Image Ableton Push 2

Technical Data

  • Manufactured by Ableton
  • Released in 2015
  • Average price : $762
  • Dimensions : 378mm x 303mm x 42mm
  • Weight : 2.71kg
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