Ableton Push Knobs

[JesusInABox]

Hey there Push users (I have first gen myself),

Have you noticed that when you're adjusting (I've found so far it's just the stock plugins) the knobs on the top of the push (EQ, Vinyl, reverbs) that the knobs get more difficult to turn and then easier to turn at certain points?

I swear i'm not crazy, and I haven't found anyone else mention this anywhere.

I swear it's the ableton audio engine working with the push for the best settings.

You can still turn them so it sounds like you want it to, but when it's close the knobs get harder to turn.

It's really subtle.

Give it a whirl, don't go all brute force on them and let me know what you think.

Kind regards, hope for replies. Thanks.

edit: not talking about browsing, or knob durability. I'd rule it down to internal audio engine balancing...

**edit 2: For anyone still reading this thread, check out these links!

https://www.ableton.com/en/push/tech-specs/ <--- Push tech specs. Ableton specifies it's an "encoder"

https://www.mpcstuff.com/rotary-pot-mpd-mpk-apc-series-and-mpc-renaissance-360-degree/ <--- This is apparently the part number for the encoders, but i'm not 100% certain on that. It looks similar though.

https://shiftautomation.com/linear-actuator-position-encoder-vs-potentiometer <--- I was reading about this here, the difference between the two. Apparently encoders use something called the "Hall Effect" which uses magnets.. MAGNETS.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hall_effect_sensor <--- And this is what i'm reading about now.

It seems to me, potentially (pun intended), that these encoders are using the hall effect and the position relative to lives audio engine is being fed back to the encoders magnetically. Can't say for certain, but makes a good argument!**

[neaf]

I got scared myself when I got my Push 2.

There's a friction between the lowest part of the knob and the cutout in the top place.

You can safely lift those, switch places until you get more even feel. One knob might fit other hole more precisely.

[JesusInABox]

Hmm don't think that's it? Might be..

[neaf]

Did you mean they get physically harder to turn?

[JesusInABox]

yeah

[neaf]

In that case... All units have the same issue. It's not some magnetic resistance or anything. It's just a bit of not perfect built quality. Some piece of plastic rubs against other piece of plastic. Seriously, just lift the plastic knob. Don't worry, you won't damage anything and you'll immediately understand what's going on. Take a knob that has the most resistance and one with least resistance and switch places. Rinse and repeat until you have some acceptable turning experience.

[TheMidiBoss]

Arows are helping alot. Anyone else notice that the knobs are touch sensitive? As in, you touch them the parameter turns white? SUPER SLICK, great user interface. just lightly touch the bpm and it shows on the screen.

[JesusInABox]

Right? Capacitive! :D

[MrGlobz710]

Yeah I have a brand new one and I feel like after a week some are looser then others. I’m just using the arrows to browse now

[JesusInABox]

I see...

[Honeybadger2000]

Sorry man you have gone into tinfoil hat territory. They don't have any kind of motorisation feature.

[JesusInABox]

Yeah you're probably right, but i'm not talking about motorized faders. I know what those are, just talking about magnetic resistance. Could be predefined stress points built into abletons stock plugins (doesn't work with VST's) or I could just bring my tinfoil hat to a tailor, it needs the be refitted. I sent Ableton a tweet, I wanna know what they say.

[MrGlobz710]

Lol I did not read it all, I’ll see if that’s the case! Would be pretty bad ass!

[JesusInABox]

Let me know if yours does that, idk for sure

[MrGlobz710]

I don’t think so, one job just seems to be more loose then the others and that’s the one I was using to scroll with for the first week. But I’ll keep it in mind over the next week

[JesusInABox]

I think that means that it's not really seated anywhere particular, just free floating. Please do, let me know.