Push 2 VS Launchpad Pro mk3: Is The Push 2 Really Better?

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When it comes to music production, having the right equipment can make a huge difference. Two popular options for producers are the Ableton Push 2 and the Novation Launchpad Pro MK3. But which one is really better? In this video, we’ll compare these two products and try to help you decide which one is right for you.
First, let’s take a look at the Ableton Push 2. This is a MIDI controller designed specifically for use with Ableton Live. It features 64 velocity-sensitive pads that can be used for sequencing and playing drum beats, melodies, and chords. The Push 2 also has a built-in display screen, which makes it easy to navigate and control Ableton Live without having to look at your computer screen.
On the other hand, the Novation Launchpad Pro MK3 is a versatile MIDI controller that can be used with any DAW software. It features 64 RGB pads and eight customizable knobs that can be used for controlling various parameters in your DAW. It also has a built-in sequencer and arpeggiator, which can be a useful tool for creating complex patterns and rhythms.
So, which one is better? Well, it really depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you’re a dedicated Ableton Live user, then the Push 2 is definitely the way to go. Its integration with Ableton Live is seamless, and the built-in display screen makes it easy to control all aspects of the software.
However, if you use a variety of different DAWs, then the Launchpad Pro MK3 might be a better option. It’s compatible with all major DAWs and can be used to control a wide range of parameters. Plus, the built-in sequencer and arpeggiator can be a lot of fun to play around with.
Another factor to consider is price. The Push 2 is definitely the more expensive option, with a price tag of around $799. However, it does come with a basic version of Ableton Live, which is a great value. The Launchpad Pro MK3, on the other hand, is more affordable, with a price tag of around $399.
In terms of build quality, both controllers are well-made and durable. The Push 2 has a more premium feel, with a metal casing and high-quality buttons and pads. The Launchpad Pro MK3 is made from plastic, but it still feels solid and well-built.
Ultimately, both the Ableton Push 2 and the Novation Launchpad Pro MK3 are excellent MIDI controllers that offer a lot of value for their respective price points. Which one is better for you really depends on your specific needs and preferences.
In conclusion, the Push 2 vs the Launchpad Pro MK3 debate is one that has been going on for a while. Both controllers have their strengths and weaknesses, and it’s ultimately up to you to decide which one is right for you. So, whether you’re a seasoned producer or just starting out, take some time to consider your options and choose the controller that best fits your needs.
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[@Kevhuman]

The real advantage of the novation is that it is an awesome standalone sequencer that can control hardware synths on four channels. In this role it is a true beast. I combine it with the circuit tracks for 8 channels plus samples

[@NSW-ye3xw]

I've owned both. Sold Push 2 for a Launchpad Pro Mk3. Why? Although Push 2 is a beautiful well built quality controller, I always kept looking at the computer screen. Therefore, it was more of a clip launcher for me with a pretty GUI. It is also an expensive paperweight without Ableton. The advantage with the Launchpad Mk3 is I can do everything with it that I could do on the Push 2 but it is also useful as a standalone sequencer. Do I miss the differences between Push 2 and the Launchpad? No, both are quality controllers. Oh, I forgot. The Push 2 is also rubber painted on the bottom half of the casing. It becomes very tacky and sticky over time, which looks and feels fucking disgusting!

[@ziggystewart1]

Hey great point Push 2 not that usable without able to. So if you’re looking for something more universal, definitely launchpad pro is the way to go. thanks for getting involved in our community.🎸🎸😃😃😃

[@blklitesoul5372]

I couldn't figure out which one to get and your video convinced me to get both thanks

[@IQTheInfamous]

I was today years old when I learned you can use the push 2 without the power supply 🤯

[@vincenzodellama7158]

Hi! Can you control Synth VSTs with the push? I know that you can assign pretty much all knobs of a soft synth using the 8 custom pages of the launchpad, but what about doing the same with the push 2?

[@ApolloMclaren]

Yes you can configure vsts for push 2 and save it as a preset so those parameters always show up on the screen when you open the vsts

[@tomfoolery4077]

is there a way for the Launchpad Pro MK3 to do the sequencing in ableton like the push? Not standalone sequncer, but actual ableton sequencing?

[@ziggystewart1]

Hi is this what you mean? m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4fcloB-o7mdrac

[@Ne3s23p2]

Have you tried push 1 ? Some users did not like the switch to push 2. I have no project to learn another DAw. Isn’t it confusing to have information scattered on desktop large screen(s) and push small screens ? A launchpad may be enough as I have other control surfaces with knobs.

[@ziggystewart1]

Hi I really like the setup but the push2 is a greater learning curve. However the launch pad definitely hold its own 😃

[@Kevhuman]

I have the launchpad. The lights change instantly. Did you find it worked after an update? Maybe you have an issue

[@ziggystewart1]

I haven’t noticed it to much at the moment. I will keep an eye out! 😃

[@England-su9dm]

where did you get your push 2 stand from ?

[@ziggystewart1]

Great question! It is from Amazon !😃🎸🤣

[@England-su9dm]

@@ziggystewart1 Is the stand soild ? I see you have a spark amp, good sounding amp hey, great for practice.

[@ziggystewart1]

@@England-su9dm the stands are ok they were just some cheap ones 😃and spark amp I like a lot 🎸 great sound and great size 🎸

[@2ndperspective418]

​i would like to get the same stand or similar to the one you have for the launchpad pro. What should I look up to find it ?

[@247musix3]

Thanks Ben. I was looking for a reminder of the differences between these. 9/10 for enthusiam. Some of the key points seem to be covered. - Push 2 is for and more deeply integrated with Live. Launchpad can be used with ither DAWs but still aimed at Live users with its session and mixer buttons and row trigger buttons etc? Launchpad doesn't have a screen... But though these points were covered they perhaps could have been picked out better. But a bit light on detail: more velocity sensitivity - feel of pads perhaps. close up of each machine? Ableton-Push combo maps samples slices across buttons. How does that work? You can record on the fly then trigger the sample slices - how does that work in practice? Is it worth the extra money? Also, wrong wording sometimes - if something is 'solid state' it just means it uses transistors or silicon based circuitry rather than valves. So the build of the Ableton can't feel 'more solid state'. Just 'more solid'. Use of 'comparative(ly)' a bit odd. And Ableton wouldn't want to keep you in within their 'ethos' (characteristics of a culture) but within their 'ecosystem' or 'system' or 'tied to their products'. I guess all of that is nerves. Apple's Final Cut Pro is a video editing software and Main Stage is the live performance software. May be write out key details as well as key points and use your computer to display them. Best of luck with other reviews. Keep going.

[@ziggystewart1]

Hi thanks for the feedback really appreciate it. Always learning 🎸😃

[@atsz.]

push 3 vs launchpad pro mk3? Also, were the launchpad pro mk3 issues addressed in recent updates? Thank you for your content!

[@ziggystewart1]

I not sure about updates but I have heard that t other people have not had further issues. 😃

[@AthanEvans]

I beileve it's not fair to compare something with 3 times the price....

[@atsz.]

@@AthanEvans I think that should be a general comment rather than a reply to my comment. even push 2 is significantly more expensive than launchpad pro

[@Lynx33PL]

The real question is... what is that stand that you're using for both :) ? Seriously though, great video. I have a Launchpad MK3 and I'm contemplating getting the Push 2 but given that the arrangements I go for are usually somewhat minimalistic, I don't feel like I need the Push 2, at least not yet. I also very much enjoy the tactile feeling of the Launchpad that you've mentioned.

[@ziggystewart1]

The stands are some cheap once from Amazon lol 😆. Thanks for the support really appreciate it. True the Launchpad is a great unit to work with. Are you using the launchpad or the launchpad pro?

[@Lynx33PL]

@@ziggystewart1 I'm using the Pro MK3. I'm primairly a guitar player but the hardware loopers frustrated me, and the Fixed Length Recording was the one missing piece, that made me ditch hardware and just go full Ableton. That's why I was interested in Push 2 because Fixed Length Recording feature is somewhat rare (I think only Launchpad Pro has it, other than Push of course).

[@ziggystewart1]

@@Lynx33PL hardware can be frustrating at times but they have improved greatly have you tried the Headrush looper or Aeros loopers?😃

[@Lynx33PL]

@@ziggystewart1 Funnily enough those two were on my list of loopers to try (especially the Aeros) before I decided to just stick with Ableton. If I was a gigging musician, then maybe being hesitant about making the computer a vital part of my looping workflow would have some merit, but since I'm not, I figured I don't need to look any further. Mainly because I already like the Ableton workflow.

[@ziggystewart1]

@@Lynx33PL funny enough, I just uploaded a video on the Aeros looper 😆. However they are a very different workflow. All depends on what you are looking to achieve 🎸😃.

[@mbsrosenberg]

Thanks for this review... I'm considering the Launchpad Pro mk3. I'm curious how ableton is setup if there's maybe a setting that's leading to that performance latency... interesting...

[@ziggystewart1]

Hi, I tried it a couple of times and overall it wasn’t as seamless as the push 2 but it still worked really well. I did play around with settings etc however I am wondering if a firmware update might be needed that hopefully will be released in the future. However, you might find it works great for you. Both of these products are fabulous. What made you go for the Launchpad pro mk3? 😃

[@karl9411]

APC 2 everytime over the over expensive, low light paperweight allied with a small NI maschine for finger triggers, these have suppose pads . Save yourself a heap .

[@ziggystewart1]

A great choice and a cool bit of kit! Which DAW are you using it on and how are you finding it? 🎸😃

[@karl9411]

@@ziggystewart1 Ableton.

[@ziggystewart1]

@@karl9411 cool sounds good have you had any issues or its in plain sailing all the way 😃

[@supadjmq]

Can you finger drum on the apc?

[@KoltovichLAB]

Куча воды и крайне поверхностное знание обеих контроллеров.

[@jdssurf]

I will likely be getting a Push I do have some hard synths. Using PC Have a small keystep. So I've looked into an Oxygen, Launchkey, and some Arturia stuff, but don't know if I will need all those options if I have a Push. I like the keystep pro for controlling hard synths and it's got 4 tracks, however maybe that just needs to be a separate setup. Should I just get a nicer 49 or so midi keyboard without all the pads and such? Considering I will have a Push? Is it redundant to have a full featured midi keyboard along side the Push Should I get a fully featured midi keyboard and hold off on the Push? Certainly want something that works good in Ableton because I'm still learning it. I'm worried about these keyboards, some say pitch wheels not accurate, some say faders are horrible and so on.... Some have endless knobs, some don't, is that a major flaw? With a regular midi keyboard and a Push, what do you do about faders? So yeah I gotta upgrade from lite to suite, but need to know where to put my money Suite first, or Suite with Push package, or wait for possible Push 3, or fully functional keyboard now and Suite? Maybe a cool hard synth keyboard that also has midi, or with that take me away from nice integration with Ableton? If i do get full function midi keyboard i can pry go up to 500 bucks, but if the ones like oxygen are good, then fine, I just don't want crummy stuff, but I'm also not a baller. Any help thanks....

[@ziggystewart1]

Some great questions and sounds like you are putting together a amazing setup. So as you probably already know the Push 2 only works with Ableton live 11. Therefore it is not universal across all DWA which does limit you comparatively to products, such as the Novation and Oxygen etc. Nonetheless, the Push 2 is a really powerful piece of equipment which is designed to be the only thing you would need to use with Ableton live 11. Although I really like using sliders and additional MIDI to support the Push 2 with Ableton live 11. As even though the Push 2 is designed to be used on its own with Ableton live 11 you still need to switch between loop page/effects page etc. By adding more items around your Push 2 as a supporting role such as the Oxygen you get on more on the fly experience. If that it something you are looking to achieve? I use other MIDI equipment with sliders on and so far I have not had a problem. Regarding whether you should purchase a MIDI keyboard or a Push 2. The advice I would give is what is your work flow? If you are somebody that likes grid method of workflow and is not as confidence with music theory, scale workmanship Push 2 could be really good option for you for coming up with creative ideas. However, if you are somebody that favours a more traditional keyboard setup and is rooted in an already established process of thought then this could be a better option for you. I myself like to use a combination of both. There is no right or wrong just what works best for you. Don’t overthink. If you had both the Push 2 and Oxygen in front of you and you could only use one which would you choose? This might be the best starting point. You can always keep building as you go. Home this helps 🎸😃

[@jdssurf]

@@ziggystewart1 gotcha, i'm kinda wondering now then if the Novation 49 sl mkiii might e a better choice for me than punch for now since the Ableton integration is perfect and it has so many features, some that the Push has.......? or does that one suck lol

[@ziggystewart1]

@@jdssurf looks like a well rounded piece of kit. I have never tried it though 🎸

[@JeremyN207]

What did you end up with and how do you like it? I’m going through the same debate.

[@jdssurf]

@JeremyN207 i got the novation sl49 m3, super happy, runs the hard snths, runs in ableton great, feels solid, great tech support, lots of learning to do still but super glad i got something with keys befor a push, ive already started a bunch of songs.