Ableton Push 2

The Push 2 is an excellent controller for the Ableton user. Since it was purpose built for Ableton, integration with the software is practically flawless. I use it for breakcore, acid, and trance production and it adapts exceptionally well to each production context. It is quick and easy to get up and running, but the device has many advanced features if you are willing to put in the time. You can expect to make your first beats within minutes of plugging the device in! Sample slicing, mangling, and sequencing with the controller is a game-changer for me and the high-res display is excellent. Menu navigation is a breeze and very intuitively organised. The pads are touch sensitive and a joy to play. The encoders are smooth and much more accurate than I expected, and they feel good to work with. VST integration is surprisingly straightforward too, requiring minimal setup. Practically everything just works, right out of the box and the community around Ableton and the Push 2 is exceptional!

Note that there are a few caveats. If you are using the Push 2 with another DAW, you will lose quite a bit of functionality. I have used the Push 2 with Renoise, and a useful subset of the basic feature set is preserved, provided you are willing to do some work to configure it. But there are better choices of controller if you are working primarily with another DAW. It is a class-compliant MIDI device, but it's MIDI over USB, so there are some limitations if you want to work directly with other hardware devices. But if you are looking for a hardware interface to Ableton Live it is unmatched!

In summary, it is a very broad and very deep controller, thoughtfully designed to make arrangement and performance intuitive and pleasurable. It is sturdy, well designed, aesthetically pleasing, and a lot of fun to play and if you are accustomed to working without controllers, or with other comparable controllers at this price point, you are in for a treat! The Push 2 has transformed my production workflow entirely and it is now at the center of my home studio. I would recommend it to beginner and advanced Ableton users alike. But if you are looking for a general purpose MIDI controller or your primary DAW is not Ableton, there are better choices at this price point.

Missed the workflow of my Akai MPC2500, being able to jam & create the music with my hands. I bought the Push 2 to demo & ended up keeping it.

No brainer purchase. There is genuinely something special about being able to create a groove with your fingertips & being able to interact with patterns on the fly. Staying in that flow, finding a groove & building layers of sound.

Creating this way sounds more organic. Less wooden. More alive. One thing I loved & then missed about the MPC was its midi functionality.. using pads to drum in a melody.. creating stuff that I'd never have done with a keyboard or midi roll in Ableton. Its kinda like 'playing' a step sequencer. Push 2 has that tight, syncopated vibe too. With clip envelopes, you can go to town, sending unlinked, polymeter midi CC out to synths with wild results. Push is fantastic.. replaces a lot of stuff & adds incredible utility & functionality with Max4Live.

Push 2 is the centre of my studio now. Not the PC.

I bought the Decksaver over the Prodector as it was the heaviest, weight-wise. No complaints. Very happy with purchases.

Try it!

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.

Im using Push in my home studio.

Depending on your creative process, I definitely recommend this product for artists that also do live performances. For production purposes only .. i strongly encourage anyone to give the launchpad pro a try as well.

Pros :
sturdy piece of equipment
perfect remote control for live10 especially when you create in session view.

Cons:
I've noticed somehow the same problem at my launchpad x... the pads velocities feel like it is not equal for every pad..which is a bit disappointing.

Overall: i didn't expect it to have those pad sensitivity issues...and im sorry to say : you ll get used to it, because it costs a lot.

Again, buying one just adds up to why are u using it for ?
if you do a lot of live gigs .. you defo need one.... if you re in it for the sampling , production and the chopps, try launchpad pro.

hope it helps you !