Image credit: Ableton

Meet the new beatmaking device for creating music on the go, from the champions of beatmaking in Live and Push, Ableton.

Ableton, a name synonymous with music production, has once again redefined the landscape with the new Ableton Move. Ableton have become one of the most significant names in electronic music production with their Live software. Combined with Push, Ableton are a go-to brand for live electronic music performances and bringing the beatmaking workflow to the stage.

Building on their legacy in both the acclaimed DAW Live and their Push hardware, the Ableton Move offers creators the freedom to sculpt sound and sketch with beats wherever inspiration comes. Stepping into the portable beatmaking space, Ableton hope to carve a niche in affordability, ease of use, and their intuitive hardware workflow.

Beatmaking On The Move

For those acquainted with Ableton Push, the Move will feel instantly familiar. The new device inherits the intuitive design and layout of the Push, featuring velocity-sensitive pads, dials, and function buttons. The whole thing has been meticulously designed for seamless workflow, which you can see in the creators using it below.

The Move is not simply a miniaturised Push. It’s a purpose-built, standalone instrument designed for mobility. It is equipped with a rechargeable battery offering up to four hours of continuous use, allowing beatmaking on the move.

The Move’s compact form makes it perfect for slipping into a backpack or carrying onto public transport. Empowering spontaneous bursts of creative inspiration and jamming on the go requires a robust build which Ableton’s established quality demands.

Sample The World Around You

Ableton Move features both a headphone jack and a built-in speaker for playback that suits your environment. Play the Move out loud to bring others in on a collaborative jamming session, or plug in for detailed mixing and get lost in the loop.

The integrated microphone allows creators to sample the world around them and produce to their environment. It also empowers super simple sound design with recordings of voice or objects that can be manipulated into instruments and ambience. Imagine capturing the ambience of a bustling street, the rhythmic clatter of a train, or the subtle nuances of nature, and then instantly transforming these sounds into playable instruments.

Ableton Move’s four tracks can be used as a drum kit, sampler, and synthesizer to create rhythms, patterns, chords and melodies. The step sequencer allows quick beat creation and experimentation on the fly, building layer upon layer.

Experiment With Sounds New and Old

Dive into instant creation with the Move’s curated library of onboard instruments, effects, and samples, spanning a range of genres from classic drum machine sounds to lush synth pads. And for limitless sonic possibilities, the latest firmware update unlocks seamless sampling directly from your smartphone via USB-C.

Capture anything from a favorite podcast to a rare vinyl sample, and instantly transform it into a playable element within your tracks. The device supports high quality audio sampling, and common audio file types, which can be recorded by simply playing back – no awkward file transfers needed.

This opens up the possibility for more exciting new features to come to the Move via updates soon.

Ableton Move’s Core Product Features

  • Standalone Operation:
    • Designed for mobile music creation without a computer.  
  • Tracks:
    • Four flexible tracks, configurable as drum kits, samplers, or synthesizers.  
  • Pads:
    • 32 velocity-sensitive, backlit silicone pads with polyphonic aftertouch.  
  • Controls:
    • 9 touch-sensitive, endless rotary encoders.  
    • 16 multifunctional buttons.  
    • Touch-sensitive, clickable jog wheel.
  • Display:
    • 1.3″ white OLED display.  
  • Sequencer:
    • 16-step sequencer.  
  • Sampling:
    • Built-in microphone.  
    • 3.5mm stereo input.  
    • Sampling via USB-C from connected devices.  
  • Audio:
    • 3.5mm stereo output (headphone/main).  
    • Built-in speaker.  
  • Connectivity:
    • USB-C port (for computer, devices, and power).  
    • USB-A port (for MIDI devices).  
    • Built-in Wi-Fi (for Ableton Link, cloud transfers, and updates).  
  • Storage:
    • 64GB internal storage.  
  • Software:
    • Comes with built-in instruments and effects.  
    • Ableton Live Intro 12.1 Included.  
  • Power:
    • Built-in rechargeable battery (up to 4 hours of use).  
    • USB-C powered.  

Additional Technical Details:

  • Processor:
    • Quad-core ARM Cortex-A72 at 1.5 GHz.  
  • RAM:
    • 2 GB.  
  • Dimensions:
    • W313.5 x D146.3 x H34mm.  
  • Weight:
    • 0.97kg / 2.1lbs.  

Key Strengths:

  • Portability and standalone functionality.
  • Intuitive workflow, especially for Ableton Push users.
  • Versatile sound capabilities with sampling and synthesis.
  • Wireless connectivity for seamless integration.
Top down view of Ableton Move lying on a pile of books. The pads are on drum mode
Image credit: Ableton

Ableton Move is available right now for £399/$499. Find out more and buy yours here.