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Ableton has just released the Move, its newest standalone instrument designed for capturing musical ideas wherever and whenever inspiration strikes. I know for a fact that Reddit has been buzzing with speculation about what this is, and we’re here to share some knowledge we learned via a recent press release we were sent from Ableton HQ.
With a sleek, portable design and a streamlined workflow, Move aims to lower the barrier for music creation, making it easier than ever for musicians to jumpstart their projects. Packed with over 1500 sounds, instrument presets, and advanced features, Move is a powerful addition to Ableton’s lineup that promises to redefine how music is made, both in the studio and on the go.
Creativity Unleashed with Move’s Intuitive Design and Versatile Features
The move is more than just a compact music-making device. With 32 polyphonic aftertouch pads and a built-in 16-step sequencer, it’s designed to offer a hands-on approach to music production. Each of Move’s four tracks can instantly transform into a drum kit, sampler, or instrument, providing flexibility for any sound creation. The instrument’s built-in microphone, 3.5mm line-in, and integrated speaker make it perfect for sampling, recording, and creating music on the fly.
Move’s 32 pressure-sensitive pads respond independently, allowing users to add subtle nuances to their beats and melodies. The pads are paired with nine touch-sensitive, endless rotary encoders, which make it easy to shape sounds and adjust parameters in real time. The instrument’s compact form factor, combined with its battery life of up to four hours, means musicians can take Move anywhere and make music without limits.
Turn Ideas into Full Productions
Move integrates seamlessly with Ableton Live, enabling musicians to refine their ideas and turn them into complete songs. Projects created on Move can be transferred wirelessly to Live via Wi-Fi using Ableton Cloud and the Move Manager, ensuring that the workflow remains uninterrupted when moving from the compact device to a full production setup. With tight integration into Live’s interface and workflow, Move is an ideal compact controller for Ableton Live, making it easier to switch between devices without missing a beat.
Ready to Play: A Library of High-Quality Sounds and Effects
Move’s core library draws from the same rich catalog of sounds and instruments that power Ableton Live. This includes a range of samples, presets, and drum hits created by Ableton’s in-house sound design team and special collaborations from acclaimed producers like BNYX, DECAP, L.Dre, and Sound Oracle. Musicians can easily access and modify these sounds, adding depth and texture using Move’s built-in effects.
Eight built-in audio effects, including reverb, delay, and saturator, allow for further customization and processing of each track. Users can apply up to two effects per track and add two more to Move’s master output. This level of control ensures that every sound created with Move has the potential to be as polished and professional as those made in a full-scale studio.
Built to Evolve: Software and Connectivity for a Growing Platform
Move comes equipped with the latest version of Live, Live 12.1, which introduces new features like Auto-Shift for pitch correction and harmonization and a new compact sample player, Drum Sampler. Live 12.1’s sound auto-tagging feature simplifies sound browsing, making finding the perfect sample or instrument faster. Move also has Wi-Fi and USB connectivity, making it easy to collaborate with other musicians or expand its functionality with software updates and new features.
Move’s software is built to grow and adapt. Upon release, the instrument will receive the Move 1.1 software update, which brings enhanced capabilities like the 16-pitch drum layout. This ensures that the instrument remains fresh and continues to offer new ways to experiment and explore music long after the initial purchase.
Pricing and Availability
Ableton Move is available for purchase immediately at a price of 449 USD / 449 EUR / 399 GBP. Musicians can buy it directly from Ableton.com or through selected local retailers in various countries. To help musicians get started, Ableton is also including free practice lessons through its partner, Melodics.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What makes Ableton Move unique compared to other portable music instruments?
Move’s seamless integration with Ableton Live sets it apart, making it easy to capture ideas on the go and refine them in the studio. Its tactile controls, rich sound library, and built-in effects also provide a hands-on, intuitive way to experiment with music creation.
2. Can Move be used as a standalone device?
Yes, Move is designed as a standalone instrument with built-in pads, a sequencer, a speaker, and a microphone. Musicians can create full tracks on Move without needing additional hardware or software, but it can also serve as a powerful controller when connected to Ableton Live.
3. Is Move compatible with other software besides Ableton Live?
While Move is optimized for use with Ableton Live, it can export MIDI data and audio files, making it possible to use it with other digital audio workstations (DAWs). However, its integration with Live offers the most streamlined and feature-rich experience.
4. What is included in the core library of sounds?
The core library contains over 1500 sounds and instrument presets, ranging from drum kits and one-shots to melodic samples and loops. The library includes exclusive collaborations with top producers and sound designers, ensuring that users have access to a wide variety of professional-quality sounds.
Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
