| Author
|
Great controller for Ableton Live
|
Axis Mundi
Axis Mundi
Started Topics :
75
Posts :
1848
Posted : Mar 22, 2011 06:57
|
"However, depending on what you use it for the default layout leaves a lot to be desired. " You know that is easily solved by using one of the pan/send banks 
But yeah I agree this thing is amazing. The only thing lacking is I tend to lose the knob and fader caps. Fortunately I've recovered all but one, but you'd think they'd at least glue them in there.
|
|
|
Outolintu
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
63
Posts :
1477
Posted : Mar 22, 2011 23:15
|
thanks for your replies guys. always helpful to hear some 2nd opinions 
have you heard anything about the native intstrument's dedicated ableton controller?
is it out already?
if so how would you compare it to the apc 40?
 "no one ever sweats on a plug-in" -moby |
|
|
|
willsanquil
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
93
Posts :
2822
Posted : Mar 23, 2011 01:38
|
I'm assuming you you referring to maschine?
Haven't used it, so I wouldn't be able to say one way or the other but the first thing that jumps out to me is the price.
Maschine is ~500, APC40 is ~300
I also am not a big fan of NI instruments - but that's something weird with me, everyone else seems to love the shit out of them.
If you want to make an apple pie from scratch...you must first invent the universe
www.soundcloud.com/tasp
www.soundcloud.com/kinematic-records |
|
|
|
mudpeople
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
113
Posts :
1785
Posted : Mar 23, 2011 10:34
|
Ive been using my microKONTROL which does the job as far as mixing tracks, but Im hoping to get an APC 20 at least if not the 40 for my live, every time i go to Guitar CEnter its straight to the APC40 to tinker.... hrs later....
The Novation Launchpad looks cool too, for 100USD less than teh APC40, but its more of an addition to a stage setup than an all-in-one liek the Akai. Im torn btwn the Novation and the Akai cuz i dont want to totally remove the Korg....
. |
|
|
|
Outolintu
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
63
Posts :
1477
Posted : Mar 23, 2011 12:06
|
Quote:
|
On 2011-03-23 01:38, willsanquil wrote:
I'm assuming you you referring to maschine?
|
|
i'm sorry to say i don't really know. i was a bit hasty when i read about it  but i got the impression that ni has a or will have a controller dedicated to ableton like akai's apc40 is. maschine seems to be a hybrid of a stand alone groovebox and a controller. the apc40 is "just" a controller...
"no one ever sweats on a plug-in" -moby |
|
|
|
willsanquil
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
93
Posts :
2822
Posted : Mar 23, 2011 18:03
|
Yeah, that's NI Maschine (unless they're coming out with another controller??), and it's been out for a bit now if I'm not mistaken.
Looking at the layout of maschine:
as compared to APC 40:
They're pretty obviously configured for very different things. The APC is configured very well for mixing, loop triggering and 8-button-macro'd instrument racks in ableton.
The maschine is configured very well for step sequencing/sample triggering, though it doesn't have any faders or knobs. However, the pads on it are velocity sensitive (APC not) so it would probably work out better than the APC for drum work or velocity sensitive triggering.
It all depends on what you need and what you already have. I could see having both as being useful - APC for your Ableton loops and mixing capabilities, maschine for step sequencing and maschine-based loops/samples.
Not sure how configurable maschine is, like if you can edit its functionality as much as you can with the APC. If you want some examples of the possibilities of re-mapping and reconfiguring the APC layout, google "will marshal DJ template" and "isotonik 6" - both are great templates that re-work a LOT of shit.
If you want to make an apple pie from scratch...you must first invent the universe
www.soundcloud.com/tasp
www.soundcloud.com/kinematic-records |
|
|
|
mudpeople
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
113
Posts :
1785
Posted : Mar 23, 2011 22:18
|
|
hm the non-velo-sensitive keys on teh akai seem like another reason to keep the korg on the table, which is another reason to look at the novation, for me. Basicallyt the only thing the Korg doesnt do well is scene/clip launching, which is what the novation is designed for basically, without the extras of the akai
. |
|
|
|
willsanquil
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
93
Posts :
2822
Posted : Mar 23, 2011 22:29
|
yeah that launchpad is definitely nice, I've played around with a buddies' and its got a nice feel to it. Also fairly compact.
The thing I like about the APC is that it *is* all-in-one - for the moment it's the only piece of gear (well, besides laptop and soundcard) that I need to work with and its workflow is very nice.
Well, I guess it's not all-in-one if you need velocity sensitive drum-pads, but I don't (at least not at the moment) - my ideal live/dj setup will probably end up being an APC and an iPad. Maybe some keyboard once I actually know how to play one in a couple of years.
If you want to make an apple pie from scratch...you must first invent the universe
www.soundcloud.com/tasp
www.soundcloud.com/kinematic-records |
|
|
|
untilthereislight
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
31
Posts :
240
Posted : Mar 23, 2011 22:38
|
|
mudpeople
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
113
Posts :
1785
Posted : Mar 23, 2011 23:02
|
ive been really interested in how it would be to use a tablet of any kind to run Live, seems like it would take away the monitor-wall separating me from the dancefloor and make it all seem that much more intimate. I was reading something a while ago about running Live on a netbook, as well
my only argument with the microkontrol is its half size keys vs my fat fingers, and the annoying twang they make when keys are released. Kinda not the best for live keys playing, but, hey it was a gift  Its lasted me about 6 yrs now and only lost 2 fader knobs (tried to reattach them, had to dissect completely, and failed, teh sliders inside are very, very minimal).
I actually worked out a way to have a scene set to be the clip view nav controls with the keyboard as track triggers, but it was the opposite of intuitive so i junked it. In a pinch a usb 10-key would work decent, its just that triggering using the Enter mid-keyboard adds risk of hitting other keys...
I love my korg, I call it the Excali-controller. Not really, i just made that up. But the pad bank, knob size, fader layout, ease of switching btwn scenes, all fantastic. If they made it with full size hammer-action keys id, idk marry it.
. |
|
|
|
willsanquil
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
93
Posts :
2822
Posted : Mar 24, 2011 00:16
|
an iPad with AirPlay and TouchAble or TouchOSC seems like a really, really awesome interface for ableton.
I love my APC, but it doesn't free me from using the mouse completely...and multi-touch control of ableton using a tablet in tandem with the APC would probably mean I wouldn't even need to look at the laptop screen...which would be awesome. IDK why a netbook would be any different than a laptop except smaller/less powerful...
Won't it be sweet in 5 years when we can run any software on a tablet sized computer
If you want to make an apple pie from scratch...you must first invent the universe
www.soundcloud.com/tasp
www.soundcloud.com/kinematic-records |
|
|
|
Outolintu
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
63
Posts :
1477
Posted : Mar 24, 2011 00:23
|
hmmh, interesting stuff. obviously every one likes the thing most that one has gottten used to but still for now the apc40 seems to be the weener
"no one ever sweats on a plug-in" -moby |
|
|
|
willsanquil
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
93
Posts :
2822
Posted : Mar 24, 2011 00:32
|
yeah it's pretty great - does everything you need it to, doesn't cost much, very durable....very user configurable. Pure win.
I know at least 5 people who have one and they're all super happy with it.
If you want to make an apple pie from scratch...you must first invent the universe
www.soundcloud.com/tasp
www.soundcloud.com/kinematic-records |
|
|
|
mudpeople
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
113
Posts :
1785
Posted : Mar 24, 2011 03:16
|
im looking forward to running all my stuff on a heads-up display with gesture-interface gloves. Then I dont even have ot be on the stage or behind anything, i can actually be on teh floor rocking out with everyone else like i always wish i could be.
A guy can dream...
and yeah i just mentioned the netbook as a possibility rather than an alternative to a lappy. A lighter, less costly machine with less moving parts to break.
Id say the verdict is that if you want a dedicated interface for JUST Live then the Akai is it. If you already have a midi controller and want to supplement its shortcomings, then maybe an apc20 or a Launchpad. Or you can get the apc40 and not use the midi. Or you can use both and have 16 faders and 16 knobs. (Personally I max Live out too easy with what i already got, unless youre running a smoking hot lappy 16 tracks isnt practical. Also, if youre getting cpu maxing too easily consider downgrading, I went from 8 to 7 for my live, and it runs SIGNIFICANTLY faster. 4 loop tracks, a rewire, and 3 vsti tracks simultaneously with master channel fx and it barely brushed 60%, also i think pitch black in their tutorial on youtube mention using an older version)
. |
|
|
|
untilthereislight
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
31
Posts :
240
Posted : Mar 24, 2011 12:10
|
|
