Can the APC40 handle two EQ's at the same time w/o Bomes?

[aomiles]

Hello,
I've searched through this forum for my answer, but have found multiple contradictory answers.
I want to order an APC40 to use for DJing with live. So I obviously am going to need access to an EQ 3 on multiple channels simultaneously. I used to have an MPD24, but found it useless b/c I could only EQ one channel at a time. Have they fixed this with the APC40?
One post I read said that you can map the APC40 out anyway you want, which I interpreted as meaning that the channel you want to EQ doesn't have to be selected (meaning you can EQ multiple channels at once). Is this correct?
And of course I read the other posts about Bomes and M4L, but I'm confused enough just learning Live and would prefer to keep this simple.

So.... yeah, I'm confused.

[flippo]

the device controls, by their default function, control one device at a time. You use the track selection button to choose what track the device is on, and the arrow buttons to select which device. Then within that device you have 8 banks of 8 faders to control various parameters. You can sacrifice one or more of those banks to be set as standard remote mapping. I tend to make racks out of all my devices, meaning that I only every need one bank of 8 knobs to control them. So bank 1 controls whatever device I have selected (9 times out of 10 it's the 8 knobs on a macro I've made). The remaining 7 banks of 8 can be assigned to anything I like (EG, a pair of EQ3s in your case). It's best to start with Bank 8, since it is the least likely to be used. Most devices in live only need banks 3-4 for total control, some only need the first one.

You've also got the pan knobs in the track control bank. Most people do not tend to use panning in performance much, so those 8 knobs could be sacrificed for your DJ EQ's too - you'll still get the 3 send banks.

Depends what you're more likely to control simultaneously - devices and EQ or sends and EQ.

Maybe you want more than 2 EQ3s, and you might use both the pan bank on track control and another bank on device control for 16 dedicated EQ knobs.

Otherwise, many people have already done a lot of work on bomes, M4L and Python Scripts and have their work available to download, so you can often use them with a little modification to extend the control of your APC without needing to start from the ground up and learning all the code etc.

Having said all that, if you're doing traditional style DJ'ing with whole tracks, and mainly want to control 3 band EQ, I recon you could get another controller(s) that will do the same function for a cheaper. < that's coming from someone who owns and APC.

[aomiles]

Hi FLippo, thanks for taking the time to help me with this.
I will be using the APC40 for more than just djing, but thanks for the advice.

But I'm still confused as to my initial question.
I understand that I can assign the knobs to whatever. But is it possible to turn up the bass on one channel while turning down the bass on another, at the same time? For example, when I mix in track A I want to be able to raise the bass while simultaneously lowering the bass on track B.

This post is what has confused me: http://forum.ableton.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=130618
He says that you can not adjust the EQ3 simultaneously across different channels. Is this true?

And I understand that it is possible with Bomes or M4L, but can I do this simple thing right out of the box with the APC40.

Thanks.

[heavensdaw]

Hi, as FLippo has said.. no, straight out of the box this option isn't available. you have to map out the devices that you want to control in 'midi map' mode. When you map out there is an option in the info window on the left hand side of the screen which gives you a max/min value to each parameter. There you can select for example 1 eq3 bass to min 0db - max 6db and on the second eq3 min 6db - max 0db...

Hope this helps

Hd

[aomiles]

Alright, thanks for the help. I guess I just misunderstood that other post. I don't have a problem remapping the knobs so long as in the end I can EQ multiple tracks at once without having to learn M4L.
Thanks.

[flippo]

When someone says you can't control more than one device at a time with the APC, they are referring to the default device control mode as I discussed in my post.

when you over-ride any of that functionality with your own remote mapping, it can be any knob to any device on any track you like.

[flippo]

Alright, thanks for the help. I guess I just misunderstood that other post. I don't have a problem remapping the knobs so long as in the end I can EQ multiple tracks at once without having to learn M4L.
Thanks.

just keep in mind as per my post that while you've got 16 physical knobs there, there is actually 4 x 8 under track control (pan, send A,B & C) and 8x8 for device control.

It's probably a good idea to start with either the pans bank or device control bank 8 for your own hard-wired remote mapping.

That way you've still got your sends and 90% of your standard ad-hoc device control too.

[Akshara]

Just to add an example... how I would do this without using any 3rd party modifications or M4L, and if I didn't need all 8 volume faders, would be to assign the APC40's channel faders 7 and 8 to the two EQ3 bass parameters using Midi Learn, and then flip the settings on one of the two faders in Midi Mappings, so that pushing both faders up turns one up and the other down simultaneously, and vis a versa; and then use the APC40's crossfader to move between the two mixes, each assigned to A and B.

[Markemark]

Just to add an example... how I would do this without using any 3rd party modifications or M4L, and if I didn't need all 8 volume faders, would be to assign the APC40's channel faders 7 and 8 to the two EQ3 bass parameters using Midi Learn, and then flip the settings on one of the two faders in Midi Mappings, so that pushing both faders up turns one up and the other down simultaneously, and vis a versa; and then use the APC40's crossfader to move between the two mixes, each assigned to A and B.

Just tried that!! loads of fun. Even more dead simple if you just want to cut between two tracks and bass kill at the same time.
Assign the crossfader to the eq3 gain low on both tracks, then reverse the min max settings(I also set the max to 0db not 6db). Then also assign the crossfader to the crossfader(since reassigning it pulls if off its default). Now the crossfader is fading the tracks and cutting the bass all in one shot

[flippo]

you may be interested in this, Markemark

http://forum.ableton.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=141986