Ableton Push 3 as a Standalone Studio

I have a slightly different take on this - with laptops being so thin and light, and powerful, and usable as battery/power sources, and gear are increasingly becoming like little laptops, connecing up a Push or Maschine MK3 to a laptop still feels like a "standalone" - the line between stand-alone and the gear connected to a little laptop, seems to me rather ambiguous when it comes to the portability and integration. For example, I can still almost exclusively use the 2 screens on the MK3, but when it's hooked up to my laptop, and I have three screens, a power source, and I don't have to worry about transferring files in between the two and considering the space, portability and integration...it feels standalone to me. I consider it a sort of hybrid standalone setup. Sane applies with the 404mk2 - I use my sp mk2 when i want to get away from sequncers all together and create "off the grid" compositions. But still, taking my MK2 to a park with my laptop and sampling off the Internet and creating a bank of samples, editing, resampling... Even though i started with it connected to the internet, considering portability, powersource, size, and integration, I still feel like the process is "standalone" mode - especially now that the intetnet and computers are an extension of our reality more and more.

Good stuff, man. It was cool seeing how you integrated the Syntakt into the process. I've been really drawn towards trying a Digitakt for the last year or so, but I couldn't ever see it as my MAIN gear. Seeing you use its strengths in sequencing, but integrate it as an audio loop was sort of an eye opener as to how I'd probably use the Digitakt, as well. The DT2 definitely sparked that curiosity all over again. There will always be more gear... haha. I'm definitely set on saving for Push 3, though. It was cool seeing you use it this way.

Oooooh yay new video to watch to torment me as I want the Push 3 for the MPE

Nice! Interesting how solo artists are more and more able to figure out 'their' live setup! Am trying to go dawless myself but without Ableton or anything but with a looper as master(roland rc505), simple circuit tracks for beats/rythm and one all round 'synth' so i was secretly also interested in the Astrolab, it really solves things live.. Such possibilities thesedays,.. but too much stuff to handle makes you loose control and pleasure of playing i guess.. Cheers for your cool minimal approach with a lot of flexibility!

great video my friend. Then, between us, beyond the possibilities offered by all the synths present in your video, let's also say that you could have easily achieved everything just with Push3 😉

Dear Dylan, I'd be curious to see how this setup works with Midi and potentially also using an ADAT interface (if you have one).

You happen to know if it’s possible to connect an external audio interface to the push? Seems like that would be a good option when working with a bunch of elektron boxes etc. I know the force can do this, but not sure about the push 3

Push 3 standalone is amazing. There is really something awesome about being able to use it completely computer free. People often say standalone is totally unnecessary, which is true, but I gotta say, theres something magic about just flicking it on and getting straight to the music making. It's expensive, but may be the best gear purchase I've made

I come from an instrument based background (as a kid) and have been spending the last six months or so re-introducing myself to all this. I do not understand the concept of the push and being ‘daw-less’ but maybe I also don’t understand how Ableton works vs how I have used GarageBand. I currently mostly use it as a fancy four track maybe? I play the keyboards, or pads for the drums, and then make something from that. When I see people using the ‘daw-less’ (404, push, etc) It doesn’t look like you’re ’playing’ in the classic sense of ‘pushing buttons on a keyboard to get notes’. You’re triggering a loop that is in the machine itself. Is that done behind the scenes before you film? I have a lot to learn really, probably don’t even know enough to ask an informed question.

You can record an arrangement by hitting shift+record!

Are you filming with a lumix, bro? I know I asked a while ago but forgot