Ableton Forum

I recently bought a Push. I'm new to production and this is my first midi controller, so I'm very excited. So far it's really cool except for one thing.. the pad velocity sensitivity.

I haven't used pads before but these seem super resistant to my touch. I've tried tried all possible combination of curves and thresholds under the user menu and none of them feel right. No matter the curve it takes way too much force to produce a sound with the velocity I want. I've tried using accent but that velocity is far too much. Are there any more advanced settings I can use to play more expressively? A fixed velocity below max would be a nice place to start, as currently my computer keyboard is working better than push >_<

Negative 20 should be so sensitive that the vibration in the room should trigger the pads... Negative 19 should be able to be triggered by blowing on the pads... literally, I've done it myself. The range of sensitivity is so extreme on Push that I can only guess you have a defective unit.

My problem isn't triggering the pads - its doing so in a way that yields an adequate velocity. I have to push much harder than a piano key to get a piano key sound. The strength with which I have to push to get the sound I want limits my dexterity. Is there any way I can increase the velocity of the notes from a light touch to the pad (without accent)?

you can use the 'Velocity' Midi effect in the midi folder, The one called compression would probably be a good starting point and tweak to taste. It will still give you dynamic range so you're not dealing with fixed levels. I'm surprised none of the curves worked for you.

But I have to say I'm a little disappointed at the pads from time to time. I work around it, but I do feel "wtf"ish from time to time using them.