Ableton Push 3 Review (2026): Standalone or Controller, and Is It Worth It?

Push 3 Standalone is the center of my live setup. A Launchkey handles note input, a Launchpad Pro launches scenes, and Push runs the set, the sounds and the audio. No laptop on stage. That’s the pitch for Push 3: Ableton Live in an instrument you can play without a computer. It mostly delivers. It’s also expensive, heavy, and has a few limits you should know about before you spend this kind of money. ...

October 14, 2026 · 5 min · Dan

Novation Launchkey 49 MK4 vs Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 (2026): Which 49-Key Controller Should You Buy?

The Novation Launchkey 49 MK4 and the Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 are the two 49-key controllers most people end up choosing between. They cost about the same, they’re the same size, and both promise to “integrate” with your DAW. They are not the same keyboard. One is built to drive Ableton Live from the keys. The other is built to make finding and playing sounds easy in whatever software you use. ...

October 14, 2026 · 6 min · Dan