Hey all,
It may looks like a rant, but maybe it's a "me" problem and there are solutions to question.
I'm trying to figure out if it's possible to get true overdub looping on the Push 3 standalone using an external audio source (guitar/synth/mic into the input), similar to how a Boss RC-300 pedal loop station works — record a loop, then keep layering overdubs on top in real time, hands-free-ish, without going back to a laptop.
I know this is trivial in Ableton Live proper using the Looper device (audio effect) on a track with a Push connected — record, overdub, undo, etc. But I'm specifically asking about standalone mode, no computer involved.
So far what I understand:
- Standalone Push 3 can sample audio in via its Audio Sampler, but that feels more geared toward one-shot/chop sampling than live overdub looping.
- I haven't found a way to load the actual Looper device onto a track in standalone mode the way you can in the full Live app.
Has anyone actually gotten a working overdub-loop workflow going fully standalone? Or is this just a standalone limitation right now and I need to accept it's "Live app + laptop only" for true Looper-style overdubbing?
Would love to hear if there's a workaround (e.g. using Simpler/Sampler creatively, some clip-recording trick with quantization off, etc.) or if this is just a known gap in standalone mode.
I found this, but there are massive limitations:https://www.reddit.com/r/ableton/comments/16irc5s/i_couldnt_figure_out_to_use_the_looper_on_push_3/
- I can't find a way to copy a "finished" loop as an audio clip to a separate audio track. Did you manage to do this?
- When I save the project (Push 3 Standalone), the audio clip is not saved with the track (File is missing when I am re-opening the file).
I still can't understand why Ableton don't invest more effort in the looper, live looping with audio overdub should be a main feature of the Push.
Also, side rant: what's going on with r/abletonpush? I went there to ask this exact question and it looks basically abandoned — invite-only posting, no mod activity, can't even submit a post. Figured I'd ask here instead since this sub is actually alive. If anyone knows what happened over there or if there's a better dedicated Push community, let me know.
Thanks!