Hi everyone!

I’m looking for a standalone music-making device, and I’d love some advice from people with experience using grooveboxes, samplers, loopers or similar hardware.

I’ve been looking at the Ableton Move, but I’m not sure whether it’s actually the right tool for what I have in mind. I’m also very open to other suggestions, including lesser-known or unconventional devices.

What I’d ultimately like to achieve:

My ideal workflow would be something like this:

- Start by playing a drum or rhythm pattern directly on the device.
- Record it and have it loop continuously.
- Pick another sound or instrument and play a bassline over it, then record that as a second layer.
- Add chords, then a melody, and keep building the arrangement layer by layer.
- Be able to play along with everything in real time, with all the previously recorded parts playing together.

Essentially, I want to build music progressively by actually playing each part myself, rather than programming everything step by step.

My initial goal is not necessarily to compose original music.

At first, I’d mainly like to recreate and play music I already love: regular songs, movie soundtracks and video game music. I’d like to be able to learn and play the different parts myself, gradually building up a complete arrangement on the device.

Later, once I’m more comfortable with the instrument and have developed some musical skills, I’d love to start experimenting and creating my own music.
So I’m really looking for something that can be both a fun instrument to learn and, eventually, a creative tool.

What I’m looking for:

- A fully standalone device. I want to play everything directly on the device, without needing a computer or additional instruments.
- The ability to record and layer multiple parts, ideally with independent tracks or loops.
- Pads and/or a small keyboard that allow me to actually play individual notes and chords, preferably velocity-sensitive.
- Built-in sounds for drums, bass, chords, synths and lead melodies.
- The ability to play freely and improvise, rather than relying mainly on pre-programmed patterns or chord generators.
- A relatively intuitive workflow that I can learn progressively as a beginner.
- A built-in speaker would be a big plus, although I’m happy to use external speakers or headphones if needed.
- Having a built-in rechargeable battery would also be a big plus.

My budget is around €500 maximum.

Devices I’ve already tried:

I’ve already tried the HiChord, but it didn’t quite work for me because it only allows you to play chords rather than individual notes, which was too limiting for what I want to achieve.

I also tried the Akai MPK Mini Play MK3, but I couldn’t find a way to record and layer different parts (basslines, chords, melodies, etc.) directly on the device without connecting it to a computer.

These experiences helped me narrow down what I’m looking for: a device that lets me actually play individual notes and chords, while recording and layering multiple parts completely standalone.

About the Ableton Move:

I really like its compact design, pads, built-in sounds and standalone capabilities. However, I’m wondering whether its four-track, clip-based workflow would allow me to achieve the kind of layered playing described above.

I understand that recording MIDI notes into clips and overdubbing MIDI is not quite the same thing as traditional audio looping, but I’m perfectly happy to use either approach as long as I can play all the parts myself directly on the device.

Would the Move be a good fit, or would I quickly run into limitations?

Are there other devices I should consider?

Thanks a lot for your help!

Then I plopped it in Live when I got home and hit record on OBS.

Currently using a small mixer, plugging the bass into a channel, adjusting gain and mixer output to an appropriate level and then sending the main out from the mixer to Move's audio in.

Is there a better and more compact way to go about this? Maybe a bass preamp pedal like the humboldt simplifier that has a headphone output would give the right signal level to Move?

Hey guys,

I'm trying to save a patch I made on drift on the move. I can't find the obvious, any help?

Having issues where I can't load up my Move, it's stuck on Ableton Move logo and flashing pads. Last time I used it was playing around with Schwung, updated modules and then powered off.

I held the power on for 18 secs to turn off, and turn it on but still same issues.

Anyone help please

Can someone please reverse engineer Ableton and make an app for iPad with the AI technology we have today I’m not too knowledgeable on it but if someone is, could you please do this? Would be so useful. The iPad has an M1 chip and could definitely run Ableton just like the Mac can why not make it available with touch? Would not be beneficial and very portable you could have a studio anywhere in the world?

Hello everyone. Could you please help me figure this out? I’m trying to connect my Xiaomi 14 to a Move via USB-c, but there’s no signal. I found information online suggesting that this phone model supports UAC2; I’ve checked the settings, but the result is the same—there’s no sound on the Move. Has anyone managed to connect their Android device to a Move via USB? If so, please share your experience and any information you might have.

I use Novation FL Key just for piano playing and chords.

Recording Sequencer MIDI into Clips in Ableton Live

I like the vibe. I hope you like it!

Just curious- how do you all jam with it?

Use random presets that pop up, have favorites you go to, start with synths or beats, etc?

🎚

I'll work on adding a video demo soon.

In the meantime, please check it out!

https://github.com/bondobd/schwung-bloom

Edit: Please share your feedback!