What does this Ableton Push 2 cheat sheet cover?

It covers the Push 2 controls producers use most: Session View, clip launching, Drum Rack, scale mode, step sequencing, device macros, recording, mixing and arrangement workflow.

Can Ableton Push 2 still work with Live 12?

Yes. Push 2 remains useful with Ableton Live 12 for clip launching, drum programming, scale-based playing, device control and hands-on arrangement.

Is Push 2 good for beginners?

Push 2 is beginner friendly if you learn one job at a time: launch clips, record drums, play in scale mode, control macros and then record scenes into Arrangement View.

Ableton Push 2 Cheat Sheet | Shortcuts, Drums, Clips & Live 12

Producer Hub quick reference

How to use this cheat sheet

Push 2 is fastest when you stop thinking of it as a giant controller and start thinking in jobs. Use this Ableton Push 2 cheat sheet to launch clips, record drums, play in scale mode, step-sequence patterns, control macros and perform rough arrangements. Keep this page open while practising, then build muscle memory one section at a time.

Official reference: Ableton's Push 2 manual. For the full workflow, use the Ableton Push tutorial.

Session View controls

SessionShow clips and scenes on the pad grid

PadLaunch the clip in that slot

Scene rowLaunch a full scene or song section

Stop ClipStop clips cleanly during performance

DuplicateCopy a clip or scene before changing it

NewCreate a fresh clip slot or idea

Producer habit: create three scenes first: Intro, Main and Breakdown. Launch them on Push, then record the performance into Arrangement View when the flow works.

Drum Rack quick moves

NotePlay Drum Rack pads

AccentTemporarily hit at a fixed stronger velocity

RepeatCreate fast hats, rolls and fills

QuantizeTighten timing after recording

Double LoopExtend a pattern without rewriting it

ConvertMove from idea to edited clip when needed

Start with a small kit: kick, clap or snare, closed hat, open hat and two percussion sounds. Record feel first, then clean timing afterwards.

Melodic and scale mode

ScaleChoose key, scale and pad layout

FixedKeep the pad layout locked while changing key

In KeyShow only notes that fit the selected scale

ChromaticShow all notes, with scale notes highlighted

OctaveMove the pad layout up or down

RecordCapture basslines, chords and hooks as clips

For beginners, use In Key mode and write short basslines first. For experienced producers, use Chromatic mode when passing notes, tension or borrowed notes matter.

Device and macro control

DeviceFocus the selected instrument or effect

EncodersAdjust visible parameters or rack macros

MixControl levels, pans and sends

BrowseLoad sounds, racks and devices

AutomationRecord movement for filters, sends and macros

UndoStep back when an edit kills the idea

Best practice: build racks with eight macros named by job: tone, grit, width, space, movement, punch, decay and trim. Push 2 becomes much faster when the set is prepared.

Recording and capture checklist

Arm the correct track before playing.
Set clip length before recording if you want a fixed loop.
Use metronome or count-in when timing matters.
Record a rough version before editing notes.
Duplicate the clip before changing the rhythm or sound.
Use Quantize carefully; tight is not always better.

15-minute Push 2 workflow

1

Minutes 0-4

Record a Drum Rack groove with kick, clap and hats.

2

Minutes 4-8

Use scale mode to record a bassline or chord clip.

3

Minutes 8-12

Duplicate scenes into stripped, full and breakdown versions.

4

Minutes 12-15

Launch scenes and record the rough arrangement into Live.

Open full Push tutorial Get free resources Share a track for feedback Back to Ableton hub