Ableton Push 2 vs Push 3 - Watch this before you buy! 😱

Have you seen Ableton has just released its new Push 3 controller? It has lots of amazing new features, but it's very expensive! With this new release, I've noticed a lot of second-hand Push 2 controllers being sold for great prices. In this video, I'll do a side-by-side comparison and figure out if you need all the new features on the Push 3 or if you are already a Push 2 user, whether it is worth the upgrade!

🎬 Time Stamps

00:00 - Intro
00:33 - Size
01:01 - Interface
04:31 - Pads
05:04 - Audio Interface
06:04 - MIDI-CV
06:39 - Connections
07:33 - Standalone
08:30 - Price
09:32 - Pros / Cons
13:02 - Conclusion

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WHO AM I:

I’m Craig, a professional musician and music technology teacher working at universities online and across London, UK. I make videos that look at easy and fun ways to get started in music production. I have also just launched my first course, ‘Ableton Zero to Hero’ - a beginner’s guide to music production.

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[pushpatterns]

Learn how to use the Ableton Push 3 just like the pros do.

Don't waste time trying to figure everything out on your own, and let me show you everything you'll need to know to get up and running.

[Jakker]

Have both and I think the push 2 is as relevant as it always was. I'm a standalone fan of sorts but obviously, the cost is aligned with the potential. The standalone is good. I don't think there will be much of a second hand market because of the upgradability but If you have a push 2 don't listen to the hype.

[mmoncur]

Thanks! This is literally the first video I've seen of a non-standalone Push 3 and it answered lots of my questions. I'm looking forward to upgrading my P2 to the non-standalone P3 because I'm excited about MPE.

[pushpatterns]

🎆 Ableton Zero to Hero course at Skillshare. Get 1-month free Skillshare membership:

[ShelLuser]

Nice video, but you made one mistake at 10:25: while production has been discontinued this doesn't imply that they stopped supporting it. You can also see confirmation on this on the Abes' forum: they will continue to release firmware updates for Push 2 if the need arises and Push 2 will continue to be supported by Live as well.

[VKJ]

On Push 2 You can use ALL 8 ENCODERS to scroll the browser list. So it's a bit fast. I did get the Push 3 controller version and it takes a bit time to get used to it. It's for my own use at times and my luv doesn't have external audio interface on her laptop.. now she does. I'm continuing using Push 2 with RME FIreface UC on deskto pc. Crossconnection via ADAT with toslink cables with my desktop pc and her laptop.

[pw]

Nice video !
Just a small precision: though the Push 2 has no full integration of MPE, it has already polyphonic aftertouch, so that you can at least control the "pressure" parameter of any MPE-plugin the exact same way you would do with a true MPE-controller.

[Mateo-dng]

One question, hope you guys can help me: Can we attach push 2 as a full midi controller of push 3 in standalone live?

[proteus]

I've had the push 2 under the bed in it's original box for about five years, I get it out now and again as I come across an Ableton video. It went sticky on the front and side and I removed this with petrol, seems very smooth now like the top, not sure why they used this texture on the machine. Mine still looks brand new if anyone is interested, all boxed and with all bits in the box.

[kage-fm]

does/can the push 3 have two stereo line level outs, so that you could route audio out to external hardware effects, back into the push, and have the full mixed output go out to monitors?

[isaacturnerit]

Thanks man got a push 2 trying to see if the push 3 is worth it. I think just using push 3 live is why I would get it

[RPLXN_wav]

I don't know why one thing people are not talking about is that push 2' s price was inclusive of the full Ableton live suit and this push 3 does not comes with Ableton live suite you have to purchase it saparately which is deal breaker if you don't have Ableton already.currect me if i am wrong and i am looking to buy push so please share this information coz i want Ableton live suite too.

[ShankarRawlley]

Thank you. Was waiting for someone to do it.

[ShaighJosephson]

Nope... The pads and functions are fine with Push 2... Abelton is trying to compete with the Akai Force by offering a stand-alone Push 3 that doesn't have half the funtionality of the Force... 💥

[rmanx]

how do the tempo encoders compare? I know the Push 2 has a clicky feel to it to increase tempo by one, but wondering if the tempo encoder in Push 3 is smooth?

[jeanbeezy]

thanks for your comparison. how do the buttons feel? on my push 2, they were very stiff and unpleasent to push. i think id had some metal plate underneath or something. are the buttons on the push 3 more clicky?

[audiodake]

What about the save button? Does it make any difference for you? Do you save/load projects from push 3?

[markcollins]

How bright are the pads (compared to push 2)? I've found push 2 pads almost unusable outdoors.

[chrisliddiard]

Yeah. If you are tempted to pick up a Push 2, you have to consider you also need a decent audio/midi interface with that additional expense £200+. The Controller version of the Push 3 has this all built in so you basically only need one USB connection to your computer. This means a cleaner signal eg less chance of ground hum spoiling that signal into the software. It also means you can move your Push 3 between computers without needing to consider those other devices and their drivers.

The only downside is possibly where you frequently 'connect and disconnect' gear to the Push you risk breaking that interface. What you really want, is to do this through jumpers which you keep attached to the push. Someone might come out with a kit that does this. I'm also hoping that eventually there's a third-party source for upgrading cpu/memory, with more bang for your buck. Either that or go with a 'headless laptop'. eg a laptop minus its heavy screen. ;0)

[lwpweb]

does the push3 controller includes theses audio connections described? Or is this linked to push3 standalone only? presentation a little bit weired.