The Push 1 looked like a prototype. The Push 2 is such a massive improvement. It’s visually and functionally perfect. It was hard to find fault in its design and workflow (if you are a Live aficionado of course). If you don’t like the uniqueness of Live, you can’t like the Push. (But you can still like Live without liking the Push).
Obviously, a lot (if not all) of the Push UX is only possible and satisfying because of how closely it integrates with Live.
I didn’t think a Push 3 would come so soon, because I couldn’t see how the hardware or design could be improved. I was wrong. It seems the design has been slightly improved. But I never thought Ableton would release a stand-alone version of the Push. It’s a hefty price tag, it doesn’t support third party plugins, and its portability is limited. But I can’t shake off the idea that Ableton just released the ultimate musical device for someone like me.
Honestly for live stuff, you don’t want plugins generating in real-time anyway. You want tight recordings / loops, samples at most, or a couple of external synths. There are so dang many compact “desktop” synths that are massively powerful these days that it’s hard to recommend any above the others, but I do really love the PreenFM 2 and 3, and the developer is amazing. It’s basically the pinnacle of open source FM synthesis if you’re ever interested in that.
Obviously, a lot (if not all) of the Push UX is only possible and satisfying because of how closely it integrates with Live.
I didn’t think a Push 3 would come so soon, because I couldn’t see how the hardware or design could be improved. I was wrong. It seems the design has been slightly improved. But I never thought Ableton would release a stand-alone version of the Push. It’s a hefty price tag, it doesn’t support third party plugins, and its portability is limited. But I can’t shake off the idea that Ableton just released the ultimate musical device for someone like me.