What I used to do (with maschine 1), I made loops in maschine
And to bring them to ableton
I make program change clips in ableton
I had the possibility to set macros of maschine to parameters in ableton
So this way I had the possibility to automate maschine from ableton
And change patterns from ableton
It worked, But was a nightmare
I hoped this worked better in v 2.7
I think the software in Maschine has gotten more intuitive with respect to exporting audio loops (grabs)
I’d run Ableton and Maschine side by side (not VST) and jam out ideas in Maschine and then drag them over to Ableton. It was pretty smooth.
My vote is you get Octatrack instead of either of those hah! 
If you don’t really care about the push 2 screen or the superior pad led’s, then I would recommend getting the original Push. I’ve owned both. And I eventually switched back to the push 1. I like the way the pads feel on the original (which was built by akai). Aside from the pad feel, Push 1 and 2 are practically the same controller. This is just my opinion, just trying to save you some money 
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I am a big Maschine fan, the midi sequencer can do midi scenes now, is easy assignable, and can have templates for instruments. For live quick fun, its almost unbeatable the combination feels like an instrument.
You really aren’t missing anything at all. The Arsenal scripts from NativeKontrol give all the best features of the Push to the Launchpad Pro. I’d take my Launchpad Pro over a Push 2 any day. I prefer the lighter weight, standalone use, and customizability.
A Push 1 is still always a great option though, I felt like it had just enough to be perfectly functional but not so much as to be distracting/clunky. I’ve seen them go used for like $100 and NativeKontrol has PXT for Live which is also dope and mad cheap.
Ive had Maschine for about 4 years now, currently the MK3. Tbh, as much as I love it as an instrument, I’m considering getting Push 2. The way I make music, I use Maschine with my A4 and DN and just create on the hardware. Eventually hit a point where I need to bounce stems or midi clips from Maschine into Ableton to arrange. Even though Maschine’s drag and drop feature makes that process stupid quick, its still a creative bottleneck for me. I would use Push very similarly to how I use Maschine, but the jump from what I call “song writing” to “production” phases would be immediate and I wouldn’t lose that flow. Both have very similar work flows, its kind of up to you and how you make music to decide which is best for you.
Many people complain about the integration of maschine in ableton.
I don’t hear too many people complaining about the integration of elektron gear in ableton
but what’s the difference?
for me, both didnt really work out
linear arrangement in both took away all my joy of making music
fortunately I don’t need to arrange, I play and have fun… that’s all…
but if arranging was fun, I think I will be much more productive
Don’t worry, people complain. Search Elektron Ableton Sync
Ordered mk3 today
I used Ableton a bunch but it didn’t feel fun or like an instrument the way the Digitakt feels. So immediate. I think the MK3 is a good mid point between a daw and an instrument. Plus, I think Maschine sounds are superior to Ableton.
I’m considering getting one myself later this year…
bless ya, may it serve you well
I’d love to love the Launchpad pro. I prefer the size and price 
I don’t need all the Push Options, I just want the in scale mode and the Drum rack mode. Unfortunately I found the LPpro Pads very bad compared to Push 2. Only 3 Velocity repsonse modes. Not really suited for finger drumming. It’s a pity. Push is too big and heavy for my taste
I think people who bought Komplete from NI (and even more if it’s the ultimate version) or wish to buy it must consider Maschine MK3 as the best solution workflow, as the integration is top notch. Also, NKS integration from VST are very nice. When you make a song or a track, searching and browsing from this solution is a game changer.
But if you are the kind of people to design your sounds, not rely on NI VST Instruments like Absynth, Massive, FM8, Kontakt, Reaktor… (&more) Then, to think which one is the best for your workflow is a real question.
The first thing you should try is to know if you prefer a MPC Layout or a Grid matrix with multiple functionality within the grid (Push 2, Launchpad pro that kind of matrix)
If you didn’t need all the workflow and options there midi controllers to get only pads and knobs.
If you don’t have an soundcard with Maschine MK3 you kill 2 birds with one stone here…
If you own Ableton Live suite and love Ableton instruments, and work more or less within Ableton, then Push 2 will become a real workflow enhancement.
If you don’t have Ableton (witch is expensive btw if you want the suite version) you can do a full song or a full track with Maschine MK3 it’s a full solution from beginning to the end (including mixing and pre-mastering)
Ableton Live suite is probably more powerful for experienced user and sound designer. If you’re not into NI instruments and effects then… Probably Ableton + soundcard + Push 2 is a very great base for a powerful studio. But it’s also high demanding in computer performance.
Maybe Maschine MK3 is less demanding in terms of performance…
I do think people only need “pads & keys” to work. But there’s people actually make tracks/songs with only Ableton + a laptop and a mouse… and they make great released tracks. I’m wondering if an MPC Live (as the pads are really great) and not so much more expensive than Maschine MK3, if it’s not a smarter choice regarding it can be a controller with software + very great pads… but also a hardware device you can bring with you anywhere and continu to work outside, sampling musicians or singer friends etc…
Sometimes you just tired of the computer environment, so having both solution can unlock you from time to time…
Just a little mind thinking as I already own all of these devices. At some point, you must think what’s it’s the most important “Tools or Music steps”, make a list of it in order of preference and investing regarding this list.
Like playing and feel the sound like a real instrument, Making my own Sound Design signature, Processing my Field Recordings, Record Field sounds, Experiment with new VST Technologies, Working on Chord progression and scales, I dig into Classics sounds, I dig into RAW sounds…
What you dislike the most in music can really help too…
Do you be more productive with DAW, outside a DAW, Hybrid with both capabilities ?
Then it’s just a matter of Sounds library, Tools, Feeling when playing on Pads and Keys, or don’t care and microscopic programming is the key because it’s a key in my music genre… (so then you need time, automations and working and experimenting… Pads and Keys may not relevant in this case)
Hope it’s help for few people here… No need to spend bucks when you actually don’t really need equipment !
I found that after breaking in the pads a bit they are much more responsive. There was a video posted here I think that shows how to soften up pad controllers using a rag. Mine are silky smooth! Although, more velocity options really would have been nice.
Maybe i give it another try. On paper it would be perfect for me
Duh, they are controllers for the software!
? What?
Sorry, replying to an older post of yours.
Obviously neither feel like real instruments, they are by design controllers for software.
So it made your point of them being dependent on using a laptop seem a bit obvious
And for the people asking the original question.
If you are already an ableton live user, i don’t understand how it is a conundrum, push is the obvious choice.
One thing not many people mention is that push is actually really good for mixing too.
Just the arrangement part is a little lacking.
And for those saying that maschine is obviously the choice for using komplete, I suggest checking out the komplete kontrol keyboards. Same integration of the NKS plugins with out having to deal with a separate sequencer inside a daw.
I am also one who dislikes running multiple software options. I gave up using reason into live because of having to go back and forth between the 2 and dealing with the reason idiosyncrasies. So that’s why the keyboards from NI are the best solution for me.
And there are people criticizing the browser in push, I used quite a bit of “free time” with live setting up templates with macros and tagging browser stuff and making my own kits. Now 90% of what I want to do is basically pre done for me and can just work with what I had already built.