The TRUTH About Ableton Move

[@morganpage]

Hit me up with any questions below - I've been relaying feedback to the Ableton team. Also make sure to check out my new single "Maybe It's Over" that's featured in the stems section: stem.ffm.to/maybeitsover

[@marklholloway]

Ableton never completed the software features on their roadmap for Move which is why it feels “limited” in an incomplete way. After multiple rounds of layoffs they had a significantly smaller engineering team focusing on Push 3. Most of the common complaints we hear were on the roadmap throughout the development cycle but were not fully scoped and committed for software release. Hopefully Ableton will resume Move feature development.

[@noisetextures]

Two important simple things for me missing on Move: Sidechain and note probability. Circuit Tracks has this and for me is very important, specially the note probability.

[@djpaceeuro]

This is called Push standalone and costs 4 times the price of the Move.

[@morganpage]

I think they’ll be able to add sidechain - a must have

[@djsoo]

the denon gear does support ableton link over wifi so this would be a nice compliment for this. I use Serato so the syning is definitely a plus for this.

[@morganpage]

Yes! 🙌

[@F_letc.h]

I don’t think Ableton is looking to add a ton of additional features to the Move. I think they expect if you want more features that you’ll upgrade to Push 3.

[@morganpage]

fingers crossed for a couple easy updates.. I bet they could add sidechain no prob - more tracks might be tough

[@treva_ranks]

Lots of people failing to grasp this concept

[@paQ75]

@@treva_ranks If so many people don't get it (or maybe they do, but don't want to pay so much for such a limited device), then something is wrong.

[@scottfrost317]

@@F_letc.h it's not a push competitor it's a Note hardware device 2 separate products

[@reptar5462]

a small upgrade of 1900€...

[@akegroovy]

I'm looking forward to your DJ set in Hawaii!🏖️

[@morganpage]

yes! see you soon - might have to bring the Move :)

[@gavinpeters9531]

The midi features are being worked on. It has a proper hardware usb controller so plenty of capability to do more, but it was only added in late stage of dev hence limited implementation with current OS. Agree about the changing parameters.. should be simple to add extra parameter page. If they put macros on a page then had fixed params per instrument on the other pages, it'd be ideal. Besides that, the sample/preset name display yeah! Either scrolling or how octatrack does it showing beginning+end only. But other than a few quality of life interface bits and better USB midi implementation, i actually dont want to see more features. The whole reason I got Move is because choice paralysis kills me.

[@morganpage]

Also one thing I missed that's super important: transitioning from one set to another in a live situation isn't great - it's glitchy and cuts off the notes

[@mattoreilly-vy6dv]

Great video Morgan. I love these overviews and tutorials you're doing. I'm definitely interested in this thing for a controller and a fun idea machine on the road, it may take the place if the OP1 in my travel bag (well, maybe they can alternate ;) We will see. It's definitely better for beats than the OP1. I love the capture feature, even for automated fx! I definitely would love a simple version of wavetable for BASS.

[@morganpage]

Thanks! Could be a good companion for the OP1. I might make a few videos showing different combos with Move

[@samprock]

Yes, capture better than Push somehow., button is close and handy. I got puzzled with “connect usb” after turning off controller and turning standalone. But you can turn in to standalone with shift-menu. I was freaking out if need to go back connect to Mac to change that 😂

[@morganpage]

I think I tried changing it to standalone and it wouldn’t do it but will test again! What’s on your wishlist for Move?

[@samprock]

​@@morganpage TBH my only wish is spend more time with Move, which I do. It solves all the issues with all the grooveboxes for me. No micro-wishes or complains really. I'm also not the one whining on 4-tracks, with 16 melodic pads (though with same compute power i would rather 3 more groups of track that are audio only for capture or single sample instrument. Leave 3 tracks for full featured drum/synth only and 12 more limited). I totally understand Ableton not want to compete with own Push, but with the same compute power it can make it easier for enthusiasts and attract more people on platform). My only big wish is to make Move project backward compatible from Live. Make "Move-only" Live 12 mode. I would go there, tweak more in DAW and return back to standalone. Including using any VST in Live, while when back to Move, auto-freeze to audio. Maschine allows to do that. And I would see move Ableton synth of course. While ability to make your own preset in Live for Move is already more than you can wish for. Move has powerful ARM Cortex-A72, solid use flow. I bet we will see great updates. But again, it's best in the league already!

[@scottfrost317]

Wow there's a review I wasn't expecting! Nicely said my added gripes is that I wish you could preview sounds as you scroll through them and that there's no battery indicator on the main screen

[@morecowbell2611]

Previewing works like hot swapping. If you have a MIDI clip, just play it while you change sounds/presets, and you’ll hear the direct result. Press the big dial to confirm your choice.

[@jtvtech5622]

I hope they add more tracks. I feel it should be at least 8 if not 16 because that is kind of a deal breaker for me. I know they can do it with a software update.

[@RikMaxSpeed]

Lovely portable device, ideal for music on the move, but the built-in presets are really limited - it’s going to indispensable that Ableton provide more soundpacks.

[@morganpage]

It’s pretty easy to import your own presets for drum sampler and drift - just need to update the options.txt file and keep the file paths in tact

[@RikMaxSpeed]

@@morganpage I have a DAWless setup. A Novation Circuit offers many sounds sets for different genres… I’m not seeing that here.

[@DeepDishCoffee]

Great review

[@morganpage]

Thanks!

[@djkanyon]

It's a Volca sample of 2014 with midi controller in one case. I don't know what's all the fuss is about. And just as Volcas this is very limited and basically a toy. Would love to have one, of course but not at this price point.

[@morganpage]

It really comes alive with your own drum and synth presets - and the workflow with Ableton

[@djkanyon]

@@morganpage it's true! for 350 in a year or so i'm so going to buy it!

[@RobotSnake]

You really have no idea what you are talking about. That's a terrible comparison. It's a groove box with a basic sampler. The sequencer, effects, synths and drum machine are not meant to all be the best. It's the combination as a whole.

[@djkanyon]

@@RobotSnakei have no desire to pay 500 for any groovebox with 4 tracks in 2024. Bruv fr technology moved on, it was OK for 2014, not 2024.

[@RobotSnake]

@@djkanyon ahhhh, broke huh?

[@ijazzmunki]

If you’re looking for more midi tracks by a Digitone and by the same token the Digitone has stood the test of time with JUST four tracks - with no sampling and even more limitations than the Move - I’m getting sick of folks moaning about what it can’t do and bitching how it’s not a fully fledged device - well it is compared to some and DAWs ultimately have a ton more functionality but less immediacy…

[@morganpage]

It’s funny how people are complaining about the Move price. You get a lot for the $$ - some of the limits feel arbitrary but it’s solid!

[@UnrealOcean]

side chain! multiband compressor! @ableton

[@morganpage]

Any guesses what the hidden buttons are?!

[@billpayer3745]

Generative midi tools?

[@morganpage]

@@billpayer3745 would be nice!

[@medenine4828]

I only have 2 wishes: chord sets and 8 tracks. Sidechain would be nice but maybe to complicated to implement.

[@HammyHavoc]

​@@medenine4828-sidechain needn't be complicated. Invoke sidechain, first pad pressed is source, second pad pressed is destination.

[@AlexandreBriaud]

If only mine would not have been defective like many other gear I bought from Ableton, it could have been a really nice device !

[@morganpage]

did you get a static frozen screen one? the first one I opened up had this issue

[@AlexandreBriaud]

@@morganpage No, two pads are unresponsive or getting stuck randomly, just like the Push 2 I bought years ago (got it exchanged, same issue, sent it back and got a refund). Ableton should have much better QC, and your experience proves it too.

[@morganpage]

@@AlexandreBriaudbummer - good to know!

[@Funkotronimus]

I suspect this won’t be the last device like this that they make.

[@morganpage]

Totally - I think this was in development for 7 years but now that it’s in the wild they’ll have so much more user feedback to incorporate

[@santhiagowav]

So I can't link it to a pioneer DJ set up?

[@morganpage]

Just a laptop with Rekordbox in performance mode. But hopefully CDJs soon!

[@santhiagowav]

@@morganpage this would be great! Because I‘m looking for a standalone drum machine / sequencer I can just plug into a Pioneer CDJ or Mixer without a laptop.. do you have other recommendations for that ? thanks

[@karlmasters3804]

Mine had a faulty pad. Sent it back for a refund.

[@claudiongleur]

Cool Story Thanks for sharing

[@Benxito808]

Mpc 500 for noob 😅

[@Jaysonjay]

Unnecessary rip off.

[@morganpage]

Worth checking out. I think it’s fairly priced but maybe they’ll expand the features later

[@HammyHavoc]

@@morganpage-yes, it's definitely reasonable in cost for what it does. We would never have believed the price, function, battery life or quality thirty years ago. A Portastudio used to cost a fair bit of cash at the time. If Ableton add proper audio track support to turn it into a 4-track-like ala iZotope Spire or a Portastudio, it'll be a classic.