CCD.SCHOOL
0xp
Performance
Mission 54 · World 6

Push 3 Workflow

Make a track without touching the mouse.

Pads, screens, encoders — and Standalone runs Live inside the box.

+90 XP🏅 Push Fluent

// WHAT IT DOES

Push 3 is Ableton's flagship hardware. 64 RGB pads, two displays, encoders, an audio interface — and the Standalone version has a built-in computer running Live, so the laptop can stay home.

The pads change layout based on what you're doing: scale-aware melodic pads (no wrong notes), drum pads with a built-in step sequencer, or 64-pad melodic step sequencer for full pattern editing.

Think of it like → Like Live grew a body — same software, plus pads and screens that mirror what's under your cursor.
▸ WHY YOU CARE
  • Make a track without the mouse.
  • Standalone means laptop-free shows.

// SEE & HEAR IT

Presets:
KICK
SNARE
HAT
CLAP
1
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2
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3
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4
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DRUM RACK PADS

TIP: In Ableton, the Drum Rack maps each pad to a MIDI note. Steps 1–4 = Beat 1, steps 5–8 = Beat 2, and so on. The highlighted step is the playhead — audio is scheduled 300ms ahead of the clock for glitch-free timing.
▸ HOW IT WORKS

Pads/encoders → MIDI/MPE → mirrors selected device → screens reflect device state.

▸ Signal flow — watch the dot
▸ SIGNAL FLOW
Pads/MPEINPUTLivePROCESSMirrored DeviceGAINAudioOUT
Glowing dot = your signal travelling through Live.
▸ LISTEN FOR
  • Pad layout matches selected device.
  • Encoders mirror the cursor's parameter.
▸ WALKTHROUGH (3 steps)
  1. 1. DO: Connect Push 3, select a Drum Rack track.
    ▸ LISTEN: Pads light up as Drum Rack.
  2. 2. DO: Switch to a melodic instrument, hit Melodic mode.
    ▸ LISTEN: Pads remap to the project scale.
  3. 3. DO: Hit Note + Step Sequencer.
    ▸ LISTEN: 64-pad melodic step seq active.
▸ COMMON MISTAKES
  • Expecting non-whitelisted plugins to run on Standalone.
  • Mouse-and-Push hybrid workflow — pick one to stay flowing.

// QUIZ (QUICK)

Question 1 / 30 correct
Push 3 Standalone runs…
🎧 Headphones recommended — click to enable audio (each device & sim has its own ▶ play button)