![]() ![]() ![]() The Push 2 totally changes the game: the display is high–resolution with a proportional font, rendered small enough to deliver eight lines of text. The Push 1 has an LCD which can show four rows of text, each split horizontally into four blocks of 17 characters, and the low–resolution pixels are sufficient for dot matrix–style alphanumeric text, plus simple graphics (block–style level and pan indicators, for example). The main display is not only taller than that on the Push 1 (roughly 40mm top–to–bottom versus 30mm), but it also runs at much higher resolution. Once up and running, the biggest improvement in the Push 2 is obvious. While the Push 2 will technically function on bus power without its own PSU, display and controls are very dim indeed - you could probably use it in a fully darkened room, but any light spill would completely wash it out. Plug in the power supply, connect the USB cable to the computer, launch Live 9.5, and all systems are go. Setting up the Push 2 for use is as easy as you’d expect. Where the Push 1 has two rows of narrow buttons directly below its display, the Push 2 has one row of ‘display buttons’ above and one below, reminiscent of the ‘soft button’ menu systems found on many keyboard instruments. Many of the buttons have moved, as have the tempo and swing encoders, while a few buttons have been replaced or renamed. Prior to plugging in, the only other obvious difference between Push 1 and Push 2 is the layout of the controls. The Push 2 is slightly thinner than the Push 1, then, but is also noticeably deeper and wider it might be tricky to fit a Push 2 into a flightcase measured for a Push 1, although padded DJ–style backpacks should be fine. The device’s buttons are practically flush with the faceplate, although the encoders appear largely unchanged apart from the removal of the base flanges featured in the original. The first thing that struck me about the Push 2 is that it cuts a low profile: the pads protrude less far from the casing than on the Push 1, although they have the same front–to–back depth, width and horizontal spacing conversely, the touch strip is not as deeply set. Since I own a Push 1, I set up both controllers side by side for comparison. Photo: Lee MawdsleyPhysically, the Push 2 isn’t massively different from the Push 1: it’s still a matt black rectangular slab, with rotary encoders and a large display above an eight–by–eight grid of silicone pads, flanked by labelled buttons. The flip side is that an external PSU is required. All the necessary software support and documentation is included within Live 9.5.Īs well as being more sensitive to touch, the Push 2’s pads are now better lit, with more consistent intensity. This put me temporarily into a mild panic about finding a functional CD drive until I discovered that it just contained a ‘getting started’ card and some stickers. Out of the box, the Push 2 comes with a universal power supply, a right–angled USB cable (which seems a slightly odd gesture, since the power connector that plugs in next to it sticks out straight), the usual warranty booklet, and what looks a bit like a CD Digipak. One difference is that there’s no Akai logo on the Push 2: Ableton have brought all their engineering in–house in the development of the new version. I’ll use the terms Push 2 and Push 1 to differentiate the two controllers in this review, but officially, the new Push is, well, The Push. The original Push came out three years ago, and is discontinued as of now, although for the record, it works perfectly well with Live 9.5, and there’s no indication that Ableton are going to drop support for it any time soon. Obviously, Live 9 owners get the 9.5 improvements whether they own a Push 2 or not, but most are intended to exploit features of the new hardware. Most of this review will concentrate on the new device, but we’ll cover the improvements in Live 9.5 in passing. Meanwhile, and more importantly, there is a new Push controller. Live is now at version 9.5, the point five signifying a revision which, while significant, is not seen as major enough to justify an upgrade fee, and so is free to owners of Live 9. Ableton have released major new versions of their two flagship products, Live and Push. ![]()
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