statuesandstuff

Although i have yet to get my hands on the Ableton Push 2, the control that this hardware provides over ableton's live clip view is astonishing. The limitations on this device truly are the artist's creativity; one can use it merely to trigger pre-programmed clips to form a continuous set of bliss, then you add/alter effects on the separate clips you have. When you are prepared to step up your live performance game, you can 'play' drum beats, basslines, melodies, chords, hell, even ambient underground subway noises, either as a one-off or to create a new looped clip via the recording function. I have enjoyed this piece not explicity, but primarily due to how it allows you to truly rediscover the format of creativity in relation to live performance. I would start with a single idea, perhaps a melody or chord on a heavily-reverbed piano, and after 20 minutes of adding and taking away musical ideas, would come to an end (more often than not this is difficult). The pathway taken would be confusing yet incredible, and recording this live creative process using audacity has allowed me to end up producing fully-fledged tracks from a mere 20 minute creative brainstorm. When using this, you may behave shyly to it, sticking to what you know will work. Don't. Allow yourself to go down rabbit holes, and you will understand the degree of focus this can allow one to access in relation to producing either raw ideas or complete sets. If thinking of purchasing this, i would recommend seriously building up a bank of audio loops and midi instruments in Ableton Live, as this only broadens the possibilities. I have only ever had one issue with this piece, although i would say it is more to do with the actual laptop i use to run Ableton Live on, and this is lag/delay from pushing a button to getting a response. Quantize can aid as a doctor to this if it becomes an immediate issue, but it is something to bear in mind if you find yourself to be frustrated by a supposed lack of timing or feedback.