My APC Mini, APC40 Mk2, and APC Key 25 arrive today!

[Buleriachk]

On truck(s) for delivery..

[Matt_Quinn]

WTF? I still haven't seen a release date for the APC40mk2.

[Buleriachk]

PSSL had the APC Mini and the APC40 Mk2 available briefly - so did ZZounds (I had an email notification they were in stock). They must have sold out really, really fast (I just checked). Sweetwater still has the APC key 25 available, AFAIK....

Most of the online vendors now say from today to the middle of the month (Sweetwater says "by September"..

[yur2die4]

That APC mini needs my loving touch I tell ya.

(I am secretly hoping that the LP95 scripts become adopted for it!!!!!!)

Speaking of which, any report on how the buttons feel in size in comparison to the fatness of a fingertip? They seem pretty small. Not that it'd be a total dealbreaker

[TomViolenz]

That APC mini needs my loving touch I tell ya.

(I am secretly hoping that the LP95 scripts become adopted for it!!!!!!)

I'm hoping for LPC2

Speaking of which, any report on how the buttons feel in size in comparison to the fatness of a fingertip? They seem pretty small. Not that it'd be a total dealbreaker

I'd be interested in reports on this too, and on the feel of the faders!

[Buleriachk]

1:35 PM PST - the APC Key 25 just walked in the door. I'm now taking a break from munching on Sweetwater candy... Keys and pads feel slightly mushy, but definitely usable. Now to hook it up....

Update: This is great! I really like that the APC Key 25 has a transport control (missing on the APC Mini). Very powerful Live controller in a small package! Like the separate "stop all clips" button! Buttons work fine, and keys are velocity sensitive; the "mushiness" means that there is more control over the velocity... so is an actual plus...

Some quibbles: I'd like to be able to:
1. change pitch by half-steps (to tune the keyboard to a capoed guitar
2. Can't select device.
(but I knew one couldn't before I purchased this)

Update: My Launchpad Mini and APC40 Mk2 just walked in the door. Busy evening tonight..

[Buleriachk]

The APC40 Mk2 and the APC Mini just walked in the door.

Opened up the APC40 MK2, and fired up Live. It is fricken gorgeous; for me, a major improvement over the original APC40. Some reviews complained about the build quality (faders), but I don't see it - they feel great. Everything is SO much easier to get to.

Now, granted, I use this in my studio (corner of my living room) right next to my Push). They really seem t work great together.

(Win7 x64 Pro)
One thing I noticed about both the APC40 Mk2 and the APC key 25 - they both crashed my computer when I unplugged them (black screen, reboot). They are not listed in "Safely remove hardware" list. Didn't crash if I exit Live first, so not a big deal.... just unexpected, because everything works really well otherwise....

Tomorrow I'll get to the APC Mini..

[TomViolenz]

Tomorrow I'll get to the APC Mini..

Please do!

How does it compare to the Launchpad, are the pads too small or still comfortable to hit and see.
The faders: smooth or choppy

Is there software in the package to change the Midi layout, maybe a user mode of a sort?!

[Buleriachk]

Tomorrow I'll get to the APC Mini..

Please do!

How does it compare to the Launchpad, are the pads too small or still comfortable to hit and see.
The faders: smooth or choppy

Is there software in the package to change the Midi layout, maybe a user mode of a sort?!

The pads are smaller than the Launchpad, but I think the primary use of the APC Mini would be as a clip launch device, and so far doesn't have a user mode that allows it to be used as a musical instrument; I'm sure it can be hacked by someone someday. I like the faders; the whole unit seems very well designed for its size.

FWIW, I do have smaller hands and slender fingers (unlike my waist...

[G-force]

On truck(s) for delivery..

Just got mine too!!!!! It's so beautiful!!!!

[G-force]

That pic was kinda grainy. Here!

[TomViolenz]

To Buleriachk: Since you have both, how do the faders on the Mini compare to the faders on the bigger unit?!

[Buleriachk]

To Buleriachk: Since you have both, how do the faders on the Mini compare to the faders on the bigger unit?!

The only difference I notice is that they are smaller and move with slightly less resistance on the Mini compared to the Mk2. I think both are excellently designed; I am in Ableton control surface heaven (especially with the Push as well!

Not that I am going to do anything universally mind-blowing with this stuff, but it sure if fun to tweak and imagineer fantasy Flamenco Gypsy Nightclubs....

Kind of like thinking about Black Holes, come to think of it...

[TomViolenz]

To Buleriachk: Since you have both, how do the faders on the Mini compare to the faders on the bigger unit?!

The only difference I notice is that they are smaller and move with slightly less resistance on the Mini compared to the Mk2. I think both are excellently designed; I am in Ableton control surface heaven (especially with the Push as well!

Good to know, thanks
I think I'll get the Mini then, since I still need track faders and you can never have too many 8x8 grids as a Live user

Not that I am going to do anything universally mind-blowing with this stuff, but it sure if fun to tweak and imagineer fantasy Flamenco Gypsy Nightclubs....

Kind of like thinking about Black Holes, come to think of it...

Just pay attention when you cross the event horizon

[Buleriachk]

Kind of like thinking about Black Holes, come to think of it...

Just pay attention when you cross the event horizon

Relativistic Solipsists Unite! ... All you have to lose is your basis..
I am the only observer... TRUST me! ...

That said, I continue to be impressed with the way the original APC40 has been re-thought for the Mk2..
For my "Play" flow, everything is much more logically laid out....

Update: The APC Key 25 may be even more versatile than the APC Mini: it is missing a Master fader, but I simply assigned the knob on channel 8 to the Master fader. (I'm thinking of assigning several of the scene keys on the APC Mini to transport functions instead of scene launch....)

Update: YES! on the APC Mini, I assigned the start and stop button to scene launch buttons 7 and 8, and now I have transport control on the APC Mini. Woot!