Push 3 SA vs Push 3 Controller & Note

[holonology]

Hi folks. I'm debating my next move with Ableton after upgrading to Live 12, and for obvious reasons Push is an interesting option.

Based on reseach, I can see 2 use case scenarios for the way I make music. Currently I do this in 2 places - at my desktop computer around 70% of the time, and on the couch the other 30%. I could see that 30% increasing with the right device.

I wondered for those of you using Push at home (but not anchored to one place/desk/room) - how do you like moving it around? I hear mixed reports on this. Some people say that it's really good and is their ideal device to make music on away from the computer - then they just plug in to Live and keep working. Others say it's too hot, too bulky and they just end up working in controller mode anyway.

Based on that I've identified 2 options:

• Get Push 3 Controller. The benefit of this is that at a later stage I can choose to either make the Push standalone or add an iPad for couch jamming. This would be especially relevant if Push doesn't work that well as a couch jamming device, or if I don't gel with it as much as hoped.
• Get Push 3 Standalone. The benefit of this is that it's an all in one hit, getting a single device to give both portability and an integated workflow. If I don't like it, I can just return it and move on.

Has anyone been through that process and what did you decide?

[102455]

Yes the heatsink gets hot and it also makes the unit heavy, but it's a beautiful thing. I find it great because I can just reach for it and dabble, if only for ten minutes, then sync wirelessly to the desktop software. I do that now, rather than plug in my Push 2, which is directly under the computer.

[braduro]

well, if you don't mind spending the difference on the connection kit.
If you're thinking "down the road" by then you might find an eBay auction for the components.
But to me, I had a promo, which took off a formidable chunk from the higher price point, so I dived in for the full experience. You're loosing other optionality with the controller. Meanwhile, consider that a more vast representation of Live is available to you as a controller.

As for couch surfing. This is a big thing to lug around. Sort of like Moses coming down with his stone tablets big. Still, I've used Push standalone exclusively, without exception, since first receiving it. It's been a much friendlier onboarding process to Live 12 functionality to embrace these constraints, and subsequently I've been very productive on it.

Couch or alternative table or nook, for sure. Park bench? Not really. But I've done it. I just don't like flaunting something this fancy while also becoming oblivious to my surroundings in a park. Plus you really wan a deck saver or a padded gamer or DJ backpack at that point...