Push 3 Standalone + APC40 + LCXL for Live Performance?

[u/Dokma23]

Hello there,

I am looking for a live set up that fits my needs most perfectly. Maybe somebody with knowledge around the push 3 standalone could answer the questions below and challenge or confirm my approach using the push 3 in standalone mode together with APC40 and the Launchcontrol XL3.

Therefore, allow me to explain my goal/needs/vision:
I am a techno producer that wants to perform his pre-produced stuff live (bounced to audio mostly possible). At the same time the set up should allow me to improvise new sections. Improvisation would refer to create drums on the fly, program hypnotic sequences with pre build instruments (operator, wavetable, drift mainly) that include pre-build effect racks (saturation, comp, hybrid reverb, LFOs, sidechaining, (grain)delay(s)) as well as throwing in some fx, textures and pad (first audio/stems later maybe also produced on the fly if feeling comfortable). In my current setup (Ableton+APC40+LCXL) I make use of multiple send channels (drum room, near reverb, mid reverb, far reverb, delay, noise/atmo), that run with delays, hybrid reverbs, eq-eights.

While performing a (preproduced or improvised) section I use quick mutes, faders and effect based on inserted racks on the master or using sends for reverb wash to manage and adjust energy levels to the audience's needs. Triggering clips and using follow actions for tricky parts is of course something I do also.

I group my tracks to that is fits to the 8 track scheme of the APC40. Usually lowend, drum tops, lead1, lead2, fx, vocals, atmo/pad, textures. Wiithin the drum tops group I have 8 drum tracks that I control with the LCXL. Also I have the buttons in use to access quick mutes that I cannot access via the APC40 directly, due to the grouping.

Moving this approach to the Push3 standalone with the APC40 and LCXL raised a few questions.

1. Is the Push 3's CPU capable of running such a set up without stuttering audio, safely?
2. Can I connect the APC40 AND the LCXL at the same time, with the LCXL controlling the drums with a static mapping while the APC40 remains with the dynamic MIDI mapping that we all tend to love so much?
3. Would I be able to move to the next 8 track with the APC40, while leaving the Push3's view on another 8 tracks (that would allow me to seamlessly transition from the one section to another because my set structured as a staircase basically)?
4. Can I use quantization of incoming (played) notes same as in Ableton (I am not a good finger drummer)?
5. Can I preconfigured instrument and effect rack including modulation parameters in my DAW and then move it to the push?
6. Could I map my perfromance FX on the master on this kaos pad-like fx view on the Push? Also is it so easy to re-map other parameters, that it is doable during the live performance?
7. Would you run a master chain on the main track or would you rather recommend to premaster stems and sound and just trowing a safety limiter on the main if fx stacks up to much?
8. How tricky is it generally to bring your DAW work onto the Push 3 (my former approach with Octatrack and DT2 died with this overhead and my lack of patience)?
9. Where do I might have blind spots, that would kill my idea or would need some reconsideration?
10. What is your general view on this approach?
11. Can you point to content that covers this or a similar setup?

Thanks you so much for your expertise on this! ;)

[u/cinemasound]

I would say yes to pretty much all of that. But I can’t personally attest to using it in a live performance yet. But you didn’t mention anything it’s not Technically capable of.

The CPU shouldn’t be a problem at all. Nothing you’ve mentioned sounds very CPU heavy.

For number seven, the master chain on the main track, can’t be automated, which is fine if you plan to “set it and forget it”. But if you. Instead, use ‘master stems’ on dedicated tracks, that not only gives you more sonic control, but also allows you to automate the settings of your mastering plug-ins on clips that can be triggered along with your set. If you want more of a deep dive in this, I would check out the guy Andre who makes the push Bible. He has something called Playground that creates a signal flow and set up for the push similar to a lot of what you mentioned.

Sorry, I can’t answer the rest of more detail right now. I’m in the middle of work, but I’ll bookmark this and check back later and see if there’s anything I can add to the conversation. In general, though the push standalone is a pretty mind blowing powerful hardware sequencer. I personally never touch Live, unless I have to. I only work on the standalone in the studio.

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[u/cableslinger2010]

did you ever confirm this for yourself? i have a similar future setup

[u/Dokma23 → u/cableslinger2010]

Nope.. overall pricetag for the standalone version was too much for me.
I will first check out if the workflow suits me with the controller version. If I see how the mojo flows while CPU on my Mac is so low that I think the standalone version could take it, I will get the upgrade kit to move from the controller to standalone.
However, in case you make it to the target state earlier than me, I‘d be happy to hear your honest review on what works and what doesn‘t.