Thinking about Push...

[lemeiux1]

Still researching what would be best for me, but I have narrowed down what I want out of my controller. For me, I really want to be able to control live's device parameters (compressors, EQ, Analog, etc.) with knobs as well as volume controls for individual tracks (preferably with sliders...but pushes knobs seem like they'd be adequate). It seems I really want a controller more for mixing than actual production, but again it looks like push can do both. I have been looking at the following:

1. Push (obviously)
2. Behringer xTouch series: http://www.behringer.com/EN/products/X-TOUCH.aspx
3. Novation Zero MKII: http://us.novationmusic.com/midi-con...s/zero-sl-mkii
4. Livid Instruments DS1: http://lividinstruments.com/hardware_ds1.php

Now I have been thinking a lot about the livid instruments controllers as I have heard nothing but good things about them, I'm just not a mapping expert so I feel like it might be a lot to learn

I guess it comes down to controlling device parameters and volumes by ear, and being able to quickly switch between devices with auto mapping the knobs (like mad zachs twister ableton script). without having to look at the screen all the time.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

[teknik1200]

Still researching what would be best for me, but I have narrowed down what I want out of my controller. For me, I really want to be able to control live's device parameters (compressors, EQ, Analog, etc.) with knobs as well as volume controls for individual tracks (preferably with sliders...but pushes knobs seem like they'd be adequate). It seems I really want a controller more for mixing than actual production, but again it looks like push can do both. I have been looking at the following:

1. Push (obviously)
2. Behringer xTouch series: http://www.behringer.com/EN/products/X-TOUCH.aspx
3. Novation Zero MKII: http://us.novationmusic.com/midi-con...s/zero-sl-mkii
4. Livid Instruments DS1: http://lividinstruments.com/hardware_ds1.php

Now I have been thinking a lot about the livid instruments controllers as I have heard nothing but good things about them, I'm just not a mapping expert so I feel like it might be a lot to learn

I guess it comes down to controlling device parameters and volumes by ear, and being able to quickly switch between devices with auto mapping the knobs (like mad zachs twister ableton script). without having to look at the screen all the time.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

have you looked at the APC 40 at all? Push might keep your hands full trying to just mix with it as you'll be swapping the map all the time making only certain things accessible at any given moment. Push really shines in production and when used with lives built in stuff.

[deevey]

have you looked at the APC 40 at all? Push might keep your hands full trying to just mix with it as you'll be swapping the map all the time making only certain things accessible at any given moment. Push really shines in production and when used with lives built in stuff.

APC 40 is an awesome controller and cheap as chips now since the Mk2 was announced, personally think the Mk1 was better laid out for performance (not a fan of the top row of knobs) and is very tight when it comes to Ableton parameters right out of the box.

[Patch]

Just buy Push. If Live is your DAW of choice, nothing else will be anywhere near as good as Push.

[lose311]

I'm not much of a DJ yet but for my music production the Push was the best purchase I ever made. As you probably know it's designed from the ground up to be able to compose and record a whole song without even looking at your computer screen or needing mouse/keyboard. It is focused way more on session view and doesn't work as well out of the box in arrangement view, but both can be done. The best way I have found is to do a arrangement record and launch my clips and do automation on the Push while Ableton records my performance as an arrangement, then you can go in with mouse/keyboard to edit and tweak.

Someone mentioned 3rd party VST support, and while it isn't the Push's strong suit, it can be done. You just need to put the VST in an instrument rack, then assign the 8 macros to whatever parameters you want to control within the VST, then your 8 encoders on the Push will work. Or there is a setting somewhere where you can just have the first 128 (I believe) editable parameters auto populated into the VST's instance in Ableton, so you can then scroll through and control any one of those 128 values with the encoders. So it does work, but not as seamlessly as it does with Ableton's built in instruments/effects.

Great piece of hardware too.. I'm really impressed with the quality of it. Really solid feeling, the pads are great for both finger-drumming and keyboard style playing as well. Part of the reason I got it is that I can't play keyboard very well, but with Push you don't need to know any scales or chords, just dial in the key of the song and all the notes work.. it pretty much revolutionized my writing process.