Setting Up Push 3 to control Live

All models of Push 3 can be used to control Ableton Live on your computer.

• For a detailed overview of Push 3’s features, refer to the Ableton Push 3 Manual.

• To stay up to date with the latest feature enhancements, check the Push with Live 12 release notes. 

This guide covers setting up Push 3 when connected to a computer to control Live.
If you're using Push 3 in Standalone Mode (not connected to a computer), see the dedicated article Setting Up Push 3 (standalone).

Getting started
Connecting Push to your computer
Controlling Live
Push 3 as an audio interface
User Mode

Getting started

Push 3 can be used to control Live 11.3 or later. Before connecting Push, check that your computer meets the minimum hardware and software requirements for Push and Live, and install the latest version of Live from your Ableton User Account.

In Live 11 on Windows, to install Push 3 drivers, install the current version of Live manually from your Ableton account. If Live 11.3.x is installed via auto-update, the necessary Push 3 drivers may not be installed.

Connecting Push to your computer

Connect Push to your computer using the included USB-C cable, and switch it on by briefly pressing the power button, then wait until the Push logo is displayed and the pad LED animation has finished. To keep Push charged during use, you can also connect the power supply. Learn more about connecting Push 3 in the Ableton Push 3 Manual.

USB connections

To control Live using Push 3's pads and encoders, connect it to your computer using Push’s USB-C port.

To connect class-compliant MIDI controllers through Push 3, use Push’s USB-A port. MIDI devices connected this way will be available for MIDI input and remote control within Live.

MIDI settings

While earlier versions of Push and Live required changes to MIDI settings, Push 3 does not appear in Live’s MIDI Preferences as a Control Surface. When setting up Push to control Live, do not manually configure the MIDI ports for Push. They will be configured automatically and appear as pictured below:

Learn more about how to correctly configure Live's MIDI Preferences.

Controlling Live

Once you connect Push, you can use it to control Live right away. Push is automatically detected in Live as a Control Surface when connected and powered on. Live also automatically checks that Push 3 firmware is up to date and installs an update if needed. 

Control Mode on Push 3 (standalone)

To control Live on your computer, Push 3 (standalone) must be in Control Mode. To change modes, press the Setup button. In the Status tab, you can see whether Push is currently set to Standalone Mode or Control Mode. Press the highlighted upper display button to switch to Control Mode, then open Live on your computer.

When using Push in Control Mode, connect the power supply to keep the battery charged and enable maximum brightness. For answers to frequently asked questions about powering Push, visit the Push USB power FAQ.

Push 3 as an audio interface

Once Push is connected, you can use it as your audio interface in Live. Learn more about setting up Push 3 as an audio interface.

User Mode

For how to program alternate functions and custom mappings on Push 3, visit the Push manual section User Mode.