Ableton Move - Honest review and chat. Is it worth the price and what could have been better.
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- Опубликовано: 4 янв 2025
- Quick Look at the new Ableton Move from a buyers perspective and what improvements could be made. Design and software. What's it like to use as a controller and is it worth the money.
Little tune at the end is made by a friend with no music experience and a first time Ableton user.
I’ve watched a lot of vids about Move recently. If the upcoming firmware updates don’t add some significant features I think we can assume they are keeping it nerfed so it doesn’t pull anyone away from the Push line.
That being said, if you like the pads and workflow it does seem like a sharp way to start ideas on the go, and if you’re an Ableton user a good jumpstart in the studio.
I’m guessing Ableton felt like if people want more than four tracks they’ll need to buy the Push 3. They don’t want Move to be in serious competition with Push 3, so I don’t think they’ll ever make Move 8 tracks. People are going to request more and more features for Move, and Ableton’s response will always be to buy a Push 3.
@@F_letc.h sad thing is you’re absolutely right but push 3 standalone is so much more powerful and even if the move did have 8 tracks it couldn’t compete. Shortsighted by ableton as move could be a very good gateway into upgrading Live and buying a push. They should live side by side and compliment each other.
Ableton note has 8 tracks though and it's supposed to be the same. Ableton note has 8 and doesn't compete with push 3 it complements it. You can come up with ideas and finish them in Ableton then transfer to push. But yeah I wish move had 8.
Absolutely 100% wrong
You can’t even have different sounds per pattern/clip. Your stuck with the same synth for the whole track
But this isn’t really like “having 4 tracks in live/push” as you can’t record audio into move as clips. Only sample in when the sequencer is stopped.
I think this is just the beginning. I hope they continue to develop the firmware to be more and more capable. I was an early circuit adopter, and it felt like junk until about a year after it was out with updates to the workflow and it became incredibly powerful. Just never something i could easily translate back up to the Daw to finish tracks.
Two important simple things for me missing on Move: Sidechain and note probability. Circuit Tracks has this and for me is very important, specially the note probability.
Hello - you managed to get it to control Live - for example, move mixer levels with the knobs or play simpler slices with the pads?
@@everydayjunglist yep pretty straightforward just like push. I will probably do a little video of me using it with live as that’s a little overlooked atm and something I’ll use quite often. It just gets tricky after 4 tracks but I haven’t spend enough time on that side of things yet.
@@8BarLoop-du7sr Thanks - that would be ace.
@@8BarLoop-du7srthanks for your video. Very informative! I am waiting for my to arrive and hope to use it mainly in Live Control.
When it comes to track/mixer volume in Live Control, do the encoders adjust it (like Push Mix mode) or they are exclusive for hack/macros like in Push device mode?
Thanks a lot!
@@8BarLoop-du7sr pls do so, that'll be really insightful
Ok, where did you get that APC40 MK2 stand 😮
@@yourcitysleeps I’m a carpenter so I made it at work. 😎
@@8BarLoop-du7sr that's awesome! 😎
Mine arrived today. Get what you are saying about the horizontal vs vertical layout but as someone who is not a core Live user it is easy enough to adjust.
However, what I really wanted to point out is that as a standalone gadget the 4 track limit thing isn't an issue. Why? Because you can play samples chromatically within the drum tracks. So it is possible to have 1 Move track playing Drums but also, say, a Bass sample plus say a Chord chromatically up to 8 notes (or in this case samples) simultaneously (8 note [sample] polyphony per track) (I think). I get that that will cause issues when you send to Live (as you would have different sounds on a single track) and you have to set levels etc within the tracks but for a standalone device it is actually really powerful. Especially as each of the 4 tracks can be 16 samples of which 8 can be played at once. Chromatically. Or the more detailed synth tracks that are a single sound. I haven't worked out the limits yet but it is certainly way more than what might be assumed to be drums plus 3 chromatic sounds at once.....
@@andypark9233 indeed that’s true. I had a big jam with a few mates last night and 4 tracks did become a problem. When you’re generating ideas fast and in the flow you just want to fire up another track and get those ideas down fast. Faffing around with samples and having workarounds is just ridiculous in 2024.
It’s a fine line between a £5 app that does 8 tracks with the same software and £400 for its hardware counterpart that only has 4. This bothers me. As I’ve said to someone else you can buy a brand new iPad and the app for less money. Perfect couch machine. Plus if you’re out and about you have your phone. I would feel self conscience sat in a coffe shop with a move but on a phone - not at all.
Can you record to a pad, when playback is enabled?
@@Blogspierre yes. I had mine running through speakers so it also caught the track playing in the background. Headphones obviously fine.
Still sounded good with the room ambience. It’s a decent mic
Had to reload due to an editing problem 😂 I did say it was a low budget production so don’t expect Mike Tyson to ask me into the ring anytime soon. Let me know your thoughts on the Move. Have you bought one? What will you be using it for?
Perhaps Ableton could restrict the amount of tracks containing maybe drums or wavetable to allow the processor to step up to 8 tracks. Is 4 tracks a deal breaker? Will we see more unlocking of features as it develops?
I'm kinda confused. Ableton said you would be able to export the projects as .als files to import them to Live and then continue the project with the 4 midi tracks.
You are saying that you can only transfer audio files to Live?
That's not how Note works so I doubt it.
@@RobotSnake I've checked it again, it does work that way. It says it at 3:00 in Ableton's "Ableton Move Tutorial: Move Manager" video.
@@db_030 sorry for the confusion. Yes you can send the project file to ableton and you will have 4 tracks show up in ableton. The workaround mentioned in forums suggests you bounce say a lead track to audio and load that sound into a drum pad on a drum program. This will effectively free up another track.
@@8BarLoop-du7srbut the tracks will be midi in Ableton right? That's what the bounce tutorial shows and what I believe I was able to do with Note in the past.
@@RobotSnake yes that’s right. BUT if you say had bass on track 2, then resampled it into an audio file, load that loop onto a pad in the drum track and delete the bass track so you can use another instrument in it, then effectively you’ve only got an audio file for that loop when you export it into live. Hard to explain so I may just drop it into video. It’s just a work around to free up one of the four tracks.
I like it but i very much doubt a 4 track sketch will survive being exported into Ableton... as soon as those tracks are imported it will get fully washed out by all the other options available in the software.
@@DJCJ999 my thoughts too after a couple of weeks. It’s a great sketch pad but very short lived. Importing a 4 track idea into ableton to flesh out to a 30 track track plus banger is quite frankly ridiculous. Might as well just start in live and be done with it. Note apps good for out and about messing about. Note beta looks promising with a midi editor and what appears to be operator presets.
I downloaded the beta because it has a sequencer… which is something the original app was missing.
why are the sequencer buttons so tiny??
@@willybobo8846 haha yeah they are. It’s because two buttons sit under each pad and the pads are small. In controller mode those buttons allow record arm and clip stopping per vertical track like the push.
The CPU is not powerful enough for 8 tracks. It uses a Raspberry Pi Compute. If you use it as an Ableton controller, the tracks are vertical.
11:23 they do have 2 buttons under each pad already. I thought it will have 8 tracks as well and I thought the step buttons would become rec and mute for each track.
Edit: oh. I had to watch til the end :)) great minds thing the same.
@@alecsbuga hey yeah. It’s the strangest decision by ableton and the hardware can do it. It was an edit on my part as I only noticed the 2 button alignment whilst filming. Had a big jam session tonight and it performed really well.
Your suggested layout / operation change would be cool, but only if this supported 8 tracks. Doubling the capabilities of an optimized piece of electronics and software is no easy task, so it’s not really fair to say, “just make it 8 tracks.”
This would be a massive effort. I’d say that in 1.5-2 years the second version may though :P
@@absolut52 yep you’re right. One idea would be to limit more intensive instruments. Say only 2 drum tracks, 4 drift and 2 wavetable. It’s just hard to say without knowing the hardware limitations. It’s just a lot of negative comments have been about the 4 track limit, which is fair.
Had a full jam session tonight with another guy on a push using link. The move was awesome and so much fun. I’d imagine if you had a few linked up it would be possible to perform live.
I think this could replace my MC-101. Does the Move have any acoustic instruments available? I'm mainly looking for a decent grand piano. I saw "Piano & Keys" in the instrument menu, but haven't heard any demos.
I’ll take a listen and get back to you
You can buy Ableton Note and check out uf you like it since it js basically same thing in many ways. Piano won’t probably be as good as on Mc101 because (at least for now) sound engine is way more simplistic
Love my push 3, regret the standalone choice now, it’s too chunky to be portable really.. I travel a lot so this kinda ticks a few boxes for me.
@@brendanwilliamson8803 I ended up getting the push 3 controller. I like my vsts, and my laptop is more portable with a launchpad than SA push. Launchpad pro mk3 is very good as a portable controller and uses next to nothing on the laptop battery. Move hit my battery hard on the MacBook. 32% in an hour! Launchpad 9% / yes I’m sad enough to time it.
There's been four-piece bands forever I don't see how four tracks is a bad limitation
@@gavinhammond3137 true and I’ve even used that quote myself lol. But, edm is usually anything for say 8 tracks to 100 these days. 4 piece bands are all experts in their chosen instruments.
I’m tired of hearing the limitation excuse from companies. It’s just not true. Plus the app which costs £5 has 8 tracks. Why the f:)k would you release a hardware version of the cheap phone software and then restrict it to 4 tracks.
It def is weird that it's the opposite way around . Have to tune it upside down
@@DeepDishCoffee haha yeah it’s like a landscape mode in your phone. 😂😂 pathetic it’s the not the same as live, note and push. I went back on my push and it felt weird for a few minutes. It’s the oddest decision.
@@8BarLoop-du7sr yeah it's a very weird design choice not sure what the benefit of having it like that. I guess they really wanted to force the 4 track idea as going the same way as the push, tracks are along top they wound have to do 8 tracks so it's prob on purpose.
@@DeepDishCoffee indeed. Silly to have a £5 app with 8 tracks and a £400 unit with only 4. 🤔 I don’t know why companies feel they have to throttle a device on purpose to protect higher end products. Reading the comments on Abletons social media posts the 4 track limit really hit a nerve. I’d love to get a response from them and know if maybe the hardware could actually run 8 and their reasoning behind it. Maybe the processor required would have rocketed the price. Move plus anyone??
Haha anyhow it’s been a good bit of music tech banter.
@@8BarLoop-du7sr I thought Ableton note was free, an iPad is very mobile too. But I get it there also prob trying to target a different audience
Maybe people who want something simple not sure.I could def see someone using move then going to iPad to add 4 extra tracks, then going to Ableton laptop to finish the song then transferring to push 3 for a live set sat. That's what I do a lot, iPad note to Ableton then push 3. I have a few live vids, feel free to check. Even though the 4 track thing isn't great plus the inverted layout, it might be good for inspiration.
I find it difficult these days making music on a laptop it's not as fun as something tactile. But yeah as mentioned another way to go from move to Note then add 4 extra tracks. So then move really is just a sketch pad / come up with a cool ideas.
@@DeepDishCoffee hey I’ll be sure to check out your videos. My workflow is working in session view and then arranging. I use push 3 controller in the studio. I just use note when I’m bored and stuck somewhere with my phone. I’ve never exported anything into ableton from my phone. I tend to use voice recorder more for foley and atmospheres when I’m out and about.
Putting in the wi-fi password was painful for me too. :P
This is not a 4 tracks device, it can handle 64 tracks (with 4 buses indeed) see another demo where a guy put 6 tracks drums on 1 track and other elements on next …yes it requires a little workaround with a sample rack…
"The price is fine since it's also a fully functional controller for Ableton. Since I travel a lot, it's perfect."
@@mightycyber8492 have you used it as a controller for ableton yet? I struggled tbh and still find the launchpad pro mk3 better as a portable solution. Also it drained my MacBook battery when it was plugged in. Something to note (no pun intended)
Oh and anything over 4 tracks was a pain because of the track selection buttons. Audio interface worked well and I also like having note mode/scales and the step sequencer. Actually if it didn’t have the step sequencer then it’s pointless.
@@8BarLoop-du7sr
I'm working with the Push 3 Standalone in the studio. I always move the tracks I'm working with to the first four positions because I only work in the arranger. I use the Move for recording, automating, and as a go-to notebook and audio interface. You can use the Move and Push 3 together and trigger 12 tracks simultaneously, for example, controlling the cutoff or filter on two tracks at the same time. All in all, it's exactly what I've always wanted.
@@mightycyber8492 ahh that’s cool. Yet to try it with the push 3. This is exactly what we need to hear, workflows using the move and push together!
@@8BarLoop-du7sr Yeah, I think it's great to expand your setup, and for that, the price is really reasonable. The 4 tracks are more than what you get with the Circuit Tracks or the MC-101, especially with the ability to use the Drum Rack. I use two racks in standalone mode (one for drums and the other for internally sampling melodies and bass). Because of this, the two effects are no problem, and it only boosts my creativity, giving me a completely new workflow.
@@mightycyber8492 hey good tips there. Second drum rack for resampled loops is a great idea. I’ll give that a go tonight.
You know what, I think we are going to see some very creative folks making some cool stuff with this little machine.
I’m from a MPC background originally so that’s a workflow I’m familiar with. In fact my first album was on the MPC was similar - making 16 parts and then arranging them into a song using track mutes.
For the same reasons i think its a fail and i'll not get in unless they can double the tracks and make it 8 by shift functions update.
@@kozko-xe1xl yep 2 weeks in and mines set for return. Ideas came fast but after 20 minutes I’m maxed out. 4 tracks exported to live looks very bleak. Processor is 2019 release ,£40 online. So I’m not expecting much in the way of extra tracks
4 tracks and the lack of audio tracks, where you can record in realtime, is a dealbreaker. All this can be solved via software update. Hope someone can make Ableton gain somo sense of reality.
You can record Vocals to the Drum Rack and trigger them, If you want an equipment full of features then go for a DAW or PUSH 3 stand alone, MPC Live, etc. This is for people who like to work with limitations and are willing to overcome learning all the tricks inside out, Also for people who already work in Ableton Live because you can transfer the projects directly to Live something you can't do with Novation Circuits, Also keep in mind that the Firmware is going to be updated overtime.
Well Jose, thank you for repeating Ableton’s marketing garbage. Maybe I am someone who already has all these devices but still has space for move as long as those features are present, have you thought of that?
BTW, you can not record vocals while listening to your beat. Should I buy another MPC for that?
And Push 3 is not that portable. I have one and know what I’m talking about.
@@eumsmo326 you can actually record in realtime using the mic, so you don’t need to press stop.
Yes a lot can be solved with a software update but I don’t think they’re going to budge on the 4 track limit.
Also as a controller for my laptop it nailed the MacBook battery. I suppose it’s charging off the usb c outlet.
@@eumsmo326it's not marketing garbage. The product is what it is and it's attractive to some people. If you're not one of those people keep it moving, and make music with the tools that work for you. It's not a DAW in a box. They already make one of those, it's called push 3. Akai and Roland, and elektron etc make the tools you want
i though you where talking about an expensive German car 😋
Seems to me the solution for you is using it upside down :) I'm not too bothered by this layout tbh and I can actually see why they did it. With such a limiting formfactor, having more scenes at your disposal so you can build at least something of a song structure is probably as important as having 8 tracks, and for the latter there are workarounds.
And your solution to "fix" the hardware seems needlessly complicated. A simpler solution would be to use the track selectors + Shift to select a second row of tracks. Or use Shift + Down to go down in tracks. Also compared to similar hardware its actually pretty reasonable in price for what it can do. Good luck finding 8 voice polyphony, 64 Gig RAM and pressure sensitive aftertouch on quad core performance for that price.
@@Drrolfski good point but using shift for a second row of tracks wouldn’t give you all 8 tracks in session view so clip launching would be impossible.
Yes it’s a premium product but the price is expensive. Let’s not forget the Note app is £5!! Yes only £5 and it’s 8 track and it’s a lot easier to use because you have everything on the screen.
So buy an iPad and the note app - it’s still cheaper than the hardware. Oh and you’ll have double the battery life.
@@8BarLoop-du7sr Launching clips/scenes from different row views is perfectly doable, Push does it as well. And comparing any standalone gear with an iPad or laptop is just rubbish. The whole point of standalone is going away from screen, and this goes for Note as well. The experience is simply not the same and that's what you pay for. And compared to similar standalone devices the Move is not out of the ballpark. It's a bit more expensive than the Novation Circuit Tracks but the Move is also a Circuit on steroids so the pricepoint is reasonable, especially if you're into Ableton Live.
@@Drrolfski good points. Haha I just love having a bit of banter about gear, hearing about workflows and discussing ideas.
Truth is, when I’m making tracks I’m in live suite with the push 3 and my trusty APC 40mk2. That’s when I get shit done and finish tracks. All these IOS apps and hipster groove boxes are just for fun and a distraction mostly. I should know I’ve owned a few over the years now including the move. I’ve never used note on my phone, transferred the project to live, finished the track and released it. I’ve even tried making tunes on my laptop when on holiday and it didn’t work out.
Have you got a move? Have you got anything you really use in your workflow like a Elektron, Akai MPC or even a circuit tracks?
I made my first album on a MPC One and I’ve got to say I really enjoyed it but I couldn’t quite get the final mix right and it was really buggy. Always looking for that flow state which I’ve only had on MPC’s and live with the push. If I spent as much time producing as I do talking about it I would probably have a 100 albums done by now. 😂
@@8BarLoop-du7sr The only device that I actually take outside ánd finish tracks with is the MPC Live 2. It's liberating really, sitting on a bench overseeing the Amsterdam canals, while pumping out beats. And I don't run into bugs and I have no problems with making it really sound fat. Even less so than on Ableton Live with my Push 2 TBH. Especially thanks to the excellent plugins that have come out for the MPC in recent years. It's clunky enough though, which is why I am interested in the more portable Move. Unfortunately, it's already sold out in EU.
@@Drrolfski I had the live 2 but really gelled with layout of the One so that became my thing. I’m old school MPC I had the 2000XL when it came out so I do have a soft spot for them. I’ve also had ableton since v1 but never got in that flow state like I did with the MPC. Thats all changed with the Push 3 controller and live12. I’ve spent the time to learn it properly. So much so I’ve got my first signing with a label due for release in December.
Yes it’s a big old beast the live 2. 😂
Be interesting to see how the 3.0 beta goes.
Enjoy those canals - been out there a few times from the UK and had a great time. Very inspiring for your music 🙏
I hope they PAY you for your consulting on the firmware update! LOL
I mean, I know there are work-arounds to get more than 4 tracks. But still its absurd to me that one has to do that. Even though there is a lot to like about the machine 8 tracks is a no-brainer. To me this is going to turn into Move-gate... not quite on the level of Waves-gate and their absurd decision to stop selling permanent licences, but dam close. To me it just shows Ableton at their most nickle and dime, and arrogant. I wouldn't touch this until there is firmware upgrade giving 8 tracks.
Move is a money grab bro. The thing with a specs of a 2014 Volca that cost 5 times more... to me it's obvious
uff. exited and dissapointed. after your video especilay. i hope they made realy push mini, something like akai apc key without keys.
@@AllKapucino what I can tell you is after a big jam session tonight with some mates it was awesome and we were fighting over who would use it. It’s very hands on and immediate. We all agreed 8 tracks would make it sing.
It’s kind of a mini push, I just need to spend a bit more time with it in controller mode. Although there were a few niggles.
Early days don’t forget and I truly believe Ableton have something special with the note software. It’s very user friendly with zero menu diving.
@@8BarLoop-du7sr glad to hear. but realy wait for some videos about move controlling live
This thing doesn't even have proper midi in\out jacks. It shows you that nobody in Ableton cared about it. Just look at their promos - they obviously spent ridiculous amount of money filming that, so it's a hype\gimmick product made to milk their fanbase dry. Nobody cared about hardware specs, it's toy for "i'm not a hipster" crowd.
@@djkanyon I must admit, I’ve never seen anyone ever using any portable music device outside of their homes. Laptop or phone - yes more discreet. But wondering around a woodland taking field recordings with the move is pure fantasy. Use your phone. Haha
@@8BarLoop-du7sr indeed. I live in a woodlands myself. Nobody in his\her right mind will take 500$ device to a place with high humidity, dust and high chances of rain...Cheap Volca? Yes. Half a grand Move? No way.
Sample slicing is trash rn so… not interested
@@tripleeight5608 yeah that needs some work for sure. Even just basic 16/32 slicing to start.
so your dealbreaker is this one is Horizontal instead of Vertical? come on jajaja thats ridiculous , People are so lazy this days and so whining
Not what he said bruh! Chill