Setting up Push 2 (Windows)

  • Live Versions: All
  • Operating System: Windows
  1. Update Live, Windows & Graphics Driver
  2. Connect Push 2
  3. Install the Display Driver
  4. Update Firmware
  5. Troubleshooting

1. Update Live, Windows and Graphics Driver

Before using Push 2, your Live installation, Windows installation, and graphics driver must be fully up to date. 

  • Push 2 requires Live 9.5 or later to work. Download and install the latest Live version from your User Account.
  • Windows must be fully updated with all the latest updates. Windows 7 in particular needs to have Service Pack 1 installed.
  • Push 2 uses your computer's graphics card to render its display. The graphics card driver must be fully updated in order for Push 2 to work. The driver usually needs to be downloaded directly from the manufacturer's website.

2. Connect Push 2

  • Connect Push 2 directly to a USB port on your computer rather than through a hub.
  • If you have to use a hub, it must be powered.
  • Use the included USB cable which came with your Push 2.
  • Power the Push 2 with its AC adapter to ensure maximum brightness for the display and LEDs.
  • Press the power switch in firmly until it clicks to turn the unit on. The power switch is located on the back panel of your Push, behind the master volume knob.

3. Install the Display Driver

  1. While the Push MIDI ports will be automatically detected by your OS, the Push 2 display driver is installed the first time you connect Push 2 to your computer if Live is running.
  2. At this point, Windows should inform you that the device driver is being installed. This might take a few minutes, and in some cases your OS will display a progress bar.
  3. Once complete, if Push does not start yet and keeps only displaying the Ableton logo, restart the device once by powering off and on again.
  4. This process will cause Windows to rescan all USB devices, so any existing driver error messages may be displayed once more.
  5. Next, Push 2 will automatically configure as soon as Live is running. This is how your MIDI preferences should look like once Push 2 is plugged into your computer:
    push_screen.jpg
  6. It might take a few seconds for the Push 2 Control Surface to activate. When this happens the Session Ring will display in Session View as shown here:
    Screen_Shot_2018-01-26_at_15.47.42.png

4. Update Firmware

Every update of Live usually includes a bundled firmware update for Push 2. If there is an update available, Live will perform the update automatically once you connect Push 2 the first time after a Live update, and the Push display will notify you once the process has completed, instructing you to restart the device.

The Firmware update will only take place if Push is correctly configured as above.

5. Troubleshooting

In case Push 2 does not function as expected:

  • Try a different USB port on your computer.
  • Try a different USB cable.
  • Make sure that the USB cable is fully inserted into Push 2 - it requires a firm press to properly connect. Certain USB cables may not fit into the Push 2 USB port housing.
  • In case the USB cable does not connect properly, try to clean the USB port with a vacuum cleaner.
  • Check whether the Push 2 receives power from the computer when its AC adapter is unplugged.
  • Check that the control surface for Push 2 is active, and that only one control surface for the Push 2 is selected.

In case the above steps don't work, please check the dedicated articles below for specific issues:

Ableton offers these in-depth help and learning resources: