WORLD OF MUSIC ; PORTABLE KEYBOARD

Now You Can Sample via USB-C Using Your Ableton Move

15 Feb, 2025 No Comment

Ableton Move is a standalone groovebox and Live controller that makes a portable and affordable alternative to Push, the company’s MPE-equipped flagship instrument.

Since its launch in late 2024, Move has received a handful of firmware updates that have improved its MIDI sync capabilities and fixed some minor workflow issues, but the latest marks its most significant update yet.

Move’s 1.3.0 update allows users to sample using its USB-C port, letting you record audio directly to Move from a smartphone, tablet, computer, or any device acting as a USB host that supports audio over USB.

This opens up an array of possibilities for Move users: Ableton suggests playing a song from your phone and sampling to one of Move’s drum pads, or sampling a synth app from A tablet into its Melodic Sampler. Devices with a USB-C port should work without any fuss, but phones or tablets with a Lightning connection will require the use of an adapter, as Lightning to USB-C cables aren’t supported. Find out more info here.

Another welcome improvement bundled with Move’s 1.3.0 update is the ability to send out polyphonic aftertouch from its 32 pressure-sensitive pads through the device’s MIDI out port when controlling external instruments and gear.

Find the full list of improvements below, or check out the release notes over at Ableton website.

You can now solo tracks by pressing and holding the Shift and Mute buttons simultaneously and then pressing a track button.
Longer entries in the browser, such as sample or preset names, now scroll on the display so that the full name is visible.
When used as an audio interface, Move now defaults to outputting its internal microphone and line-in. Move’s main output can still be selected in Setup; however, doing so will disable Move’s speaker when a USB-C cable is connected.
Move now sends out polyphonic aftertouch when set to MIDI Out, which lets you play expressively when using external MIDI controllers.
A wider selection of presets is now used when creating a new Set.
Uploads to Ableton Cloud are now faster.
Triggered one shot samples and long release note phases now stop when playback stops and when clips are retriggered. Additionally, an “All Sound Off” MIDI message (CC 120) is sent to the MIDI output.

Ableton Move In Depth Overview

8 Oct, 2024 No Comment

Sonic State – the latest video – captures an overview of the new Ableton Move, the company’s new four-track standalone sampling groovebox.

Ableton’s Johannes Russ & Brian Mauleon provide an intro to Move and its capabilities, the Move workflow, integration with Live and more.

Ableton Unveils Move, A Compact Standalone Instrument & Controller

8 Oct, 2024 No Comment

After having teased its arrival earlier this month, today, Ableton has finally unveiled its latest hardware device. Move is a compact controller and instrument that – like the latest version of Ableton’s flagship controller Push – can operate both tethered to Live and as a standalone device, thanks to an onboard CPU and rechargeable battery.

Ableton Move is offering a core library of over 1500 sounds and a simple workflow. It comes with 32 polyphonic aftertouch pads, a 16-step sequencer, a built-in speaker and a microphone for sampling.

Although it shares some obvious characteristics with Push, Move actually has more in common with the company’s iOS sketchpad Note. In its standalone mode, Move runs an onboard OS that closely resembles the workflow of Note. This allows the unit to run up to four tracks, each of which makes use of a version of one of Live’s Instrument Rack or Drum Rack devices.

These Racks make use of a limited selection of Live instruments and effects to produce both melodic and percussive sounds. The Drum Racks can contain 16 instances of the Drum Sampler device, which was recently added to Live 12.1, while the Instrument Racks can each contain a single instance of either Drift, Wavetable or Live’s Melodic Sampler. Each Rack can host two effects, one send and one insert, chosen from a limited selection of Live devices.

Patterns can be programmed using Move’s grid of 32 polyphonic pressure-sensitive pads, or via the button step sequencer along the rear of the unit. Both playing and automation can be recorded, overdubbed or recalled using Live’s Capture functionality.

The sounds offered by Move are largely preset-based, all sounds can be customised using the parameters controlled by a bank of eight touch-sensitive rotaries along the top of the unit.

Move also features onboard sampling capabilities. Users can sample via a built-in mic, a 3.5mm audio input on the rear of the unit, or by resampling the main output. It’s also possible to import samples via either a wired connection or Move’s onboard WiFi.

On that front, Move offers a number of methods for users to take ideas started in standalone mode for further development in Live. This can be done using the browser-based Move manager – again accessible via either wired or wireless connection – or by using Ableton Cloud, which lets users transfer Move projects to Note or Live.

Along with its standalone capabilities, Move can also function as both a controller for Live whereby its pads, sequencer and rotaries can be used to play and edit Live’s devices, trigger clips and input patterns. Move also functions as a USB interface.

The hardware itself has a fairly minimal range of I/O. The rear panel has 3.5mm jacks for audio input and output, which are joined by two USB ports. The first, a USB-C port, is used for power and connection to a host computer, the second, USB-A, is used for connection to MIDI devices. According to Ableton, Move’s onboard battery life is around 4-hours. It can also sync with other devices via Ableton Link.

Key Features:

Standalone – Up to 4 hours of music making per charge.

Four tracks – Set up any or all of Move’s tracks in Drum Mode, Melodic Mode, or as a sampler.
Session Mode – Mix and match your musical ideas, using Move’s pads to trigger clips.
Sampling – Use the built-in microphone or stereo line input to sample directly into Move — plus resample your tracks internally.
Repeat – Quickly create a series of repeating notes.
Capture – Move remembers what you just played, so you never lose an idea.
Parameter automation – Tweak the encoders to record dynamic changes to your sounds in real time.
Instruments – Drum Sampler, Wavetable, Drift, Melodic Sampler
Effects – Reverb, Delay, Saturator, Chorus-Ensemble, Phaser-Flanger, Redux, Channel EQ, Compressor

Hardware Specifications: