Is Ableton Move Worth the Hype, or Are We Just Chasing the Next Shiny Object?
pssst.. I think its the second one.
What up Forum,
If you’ve been paying any attention to the music production ecosphere lately, you’ve probably heard about Ableton’s new protegee Move. Yup! You’ve got it!, the folks at good ol’ Ableton decided to switch things up and give us something that’s not just another insert effect or a DAW update. Nope, they went all out and gave us something fresh. A completely new revolutionary idea, a piece of 100% bonafide portable hardware 🙄. Before I give my honest opinion on the Ableton Move..
Let’s dive in.
So….What Exactly is Ableton Move?
First off, what are we actually talking about here? The Move is like if you took the brains of Ableton Push, compacted them it into a super portable device, chopped off its arms and legs, slapped a Tamagotchi screen on the front and gave it wings. So on one hand you’ve got the freedom to create and perform without a computer, thanks to its built-in speakers, battery, and onboard sounds selection, and on the other hand what you see is what you get.
Limited to four tracks, the move is more like a sketchpad rather than a full fledged production vehicle. Which may not be that big of an issue as-
-it integrates seamlessly with Ableton Live and also connects wirelessly to Ableton Cloud. File transfer seems to be integrated well so essentially you can start something in Ableton Live, move to Ableton Move, make some change, and pick it back up later at home. The only issue I see is when I want more tracks.
Features Breakdown
Some features are expected as default in 2024. Like a built-in battery / speaker should be expected from a portable device coming from Ableton.
One thing that stands out for me is the 16 step sequencer with parameter lock. Ive found that this type of feature is much more effective than automation for creative effects.
Polyphonic Aftertouch: If you’re all about expressive performances, this is going to be your new best friend. Polyphonic aftertouch allows you to control different parameters for individual notes. So, if you’re playing chords or melodies, you can tweak the pitch, volume, or timbre of each note separately. This opens up a whole new world for adding dynamics to your tracks and getting those rich, nuanced sounds out of your pads.
16-step Sequencer with Parameter Lock: Move features a 16-step sequencer that lets you lock parameters at each step, meaning you can manipulate things like filter cutoff, resonance, or effects in real time as your sequence plays. It’s like adding an evolving texture to your loops, and it’s an absolute game-changer for live performances and intricate compositions.
Built-in Speakers and Battery: I wonder how the speakers stand up to the MPC Live II. Sure, the built-in speakers won’t replace your studio monitors, if you’re sketching things on the go its a perfect fit. The site lists 3-4 hours of battery time which i’m on the fence about. As a commuter I could see using this for about two hours or so on the train to and from work. And thats if I’ve remembered to charge it. (assuming I would get this) For me I’d prefer a bit more battery life like 4-6 hours or so JIC.
Four Instrument Tracks: Move comes with a whopping four instrument tracks for drums, samples, and synths. I think future patches may increase this but this seems a bit rudimentary for boasting the ability to go from desktop Ableton to mobile. Again, great for sketching ideas, maybe not so much for deep thought out tracks.
Seamless Integration with Ableton Live and Cloud: One of the more touted features is how ‘effortlessly’ Move syncs with Ableton. Thanks to WiFi and Ableton Link, you can sync Move with Live or other link-enabled devices, just without a count in. In all honesty I’d see using this as a simple midi controller if its present in the setup but more time will tell.
The Hype
this is a scaled-down Ableton Push
The Skepticism: Do We Really Need This?
But let’s be real, not everyone’s sold on the idea and I find myself somewhere in the middle. Sadly I kindof want one, but my questions still weigh heavier than my desire to have one. Will this actually improve workflow? Is this device rugged enough for portable use over time? Are people really that disconnected from their environments to where they are willing to pull out a beat machine in the middle of the subway?
For those who love a more traditional, desk-bound workflow, the idea of switching to a mobile setup might feel like more hassle than it’s worth. Not to mention, it’s another piece of gear to buy and learn. And let’s face it, many of us have gear that’s already collecting dust. Add in the worlds tinest screen and I belive this is more about trying to meet customers where they are.
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The Bottom Line
So, is Ableton Move the future of music production? Honestly, I think so. If you’re a live performer this could be a cool multifunction device holding sound effects, beats and other goodies. The ability to control, create and sample music anywhere definitely opens up new creative possibilities (even if you do look like a douchebag while doing so).
For the studio-based producers among us, it might just be a cool addition for the lights or the ability to still create while you veg out on the studio couch, but not necessarily a game changer.
Like I mentioned before I’m slightly intrigued.I could see this being a great tool for sketching ideas on the go and bringing a new level of interaction to live shows/podcasts etc. But otherwise its just a shiny new toy. I personally like my Force and see no need for a portable one but I do find myself wishing for more compatible file transfer like Ableton Cloud etc.
If anything this kindof reflects a sort of shift in music. Less the desire for fancy-looking TUI’s and plugin interfaces and more the desire to create music quickly and have fun. And that is something I can definitely get behind.
maybe…
Lmk what you think in the comments
Note From Editor:
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