Launchpad + Triggerfinger + X-Session vs APC40?

[aejaz]

Hi guys

I've had a Trigger Finger and X-Session for quite a few years. I'm quite tempted by both the launchpad and the APC40. Money is tight ofcourse and I'm wondering if I should just get a Launchpad and use that in conjunction with my other two controllers. Or should I try selling those and going for an APC40 with lots of stuff integrated into one unit.

Is anyone else out there facing a similiar choice? Have you got any advice?

Thanks,

Aejaz

[delicioso]

Try a search next time.
http://forum.ableton.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=127623
http://forum.ableton.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=126927
http://forum.ableton.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=125934

[aejaz]

Cheers dude! I did have a look through those discussions already but didn't find the answer I was looking for. I'm not here to dis one controller over another. What I was specifically getting at is what advantages (apart from having one controller to do it all) would I have in going with one option ( the three controllers) as opposed to the other (where many of the features of the others are integrated into one). Particularly interested in hearing from the experience of others who have done this already.

[delicioso]

If you actually read those threads carefully past all the one controller vs. the other vs. get both carp, there are answers to your question in there. I'll copy and paste them here. You're welcome.

I already have a remote zero sl, wished for some kind of slimmed down APC, but there was no news on that.
So i ordered the APC and got it 2 weeks ago, nice machine, very solid, but now the remote sl had no more use anymore. Until last week, i saw the novation launch pad on the front page.
I was like wtf... So i sold my apc, and preordered the launchpad.

launchpad.. even if i had sufficient cash for the apc40 or both even. i just dont want all my controls lumped together like they are on the apc. id prefer a combination. i.e. nocturn padkontol and launchpad.

i have a 40 and launchpad on order to replace it, not augment. Is there actually a reason to keep both other than "they are cool" (which i use often as an excuse but tends to waste money)

Well, it does serve as a justification for those who already invested in the APC40 to balk at those who like the Launchpad better by saying "Get a job you losers and buy both like I am!"

APC - overweight, prematurely aged controller who tried to do too much and going through a mid-life crisis since it has no template editor.
LP - portable, bus-powered controller with a better grid matrix that plays well with others knobs and faders for a sensible modular setup.

i have the LP on order, plan on working it into the studio and seeing how it plays out. My apc40 gets used a lot, but I doubt to the full potential. I don't do live performance so I do a lot with the Live interface itself. So in some ways I don't need all the buttons on the APC. I love gadgets though, so like i said, we'll see how it plays out.

The point of the Launchpad is for those who already have controllers that have knobs. A Nocturn or nanoKontrol can do a lot more than the APC40 without cumbersome hacks as far as what you can do with knobs. And together with launchpad, the combination is still more portable, cheaper, and doesn't require an additional power adapter.

And no, not everyone wants to buy both or have room for both. It's not about collecting controllers. It's using what works for you. It's great that there are lots of options now. Novation was smart in realizing that people would want to mix and match between the different choices of controllers for a more modular approach to customizing their setup. I'm not knocking the APC40 though I never wanted one because it's too bulky for my taste. But I'm sure it's great for some people, especially newbies who might not want to deal with more than one controller.

I've used the APC40. I can do more with Nocturn and nanoKontrol with their respective remote midi scripts found in this forum than the APC and they allow for further customization easily. I can move between the 4 scenes of my nanoKontrol or the 4 group buttons of my Nocturn quickly and it doesn't slow my workflow at all. Besides I'd rather have the encoders on my Nocturn for volume controls rather than non-motorized faders. Also, I can control 16 tracks on my nanoKontrol very quickly for triggering/stopping clips, arming, panning, sends, solo/cueing, volume ...etc

And, agree with the apc's uselessness with external, non live use. I guess that's why I'm keeping the remote zero as well.
There are tools for everyone, which is why we are all still not using those old school Fat Boy midi controllers!

I agree, they do seem complimentary but man when you shell out £400 on the APC you really start trying to justify where that extra £250 went, maybe you pay more for the privelage of less real estate on the table top...

In fact, pretty much everyone that's talking about getting the Launchpad is planning on using it with another controller. If anything, APC40 is the one that was hyped as the "ONE dedicated ableton controller" more than anything else.

And there seem to be enough reasons why some people are upset or dissatisfied with Akai and APC40, like the Euro price gouging, unnecessarily bulky size and not being as portable as it could have been, requiring a power adapter, being almost useless as a general midi controller especially for third party plugs without inconvenient hacks, not as many grid buttons as the Launchpad...etc.

He he! Maybe I am so enthusiastic about the Launchpad because I was disappointed about the apc. I always wanted a controller like the apc especially because of the launch buttons. But as I held the apc in my hands it was a huge frustration to big to... You know! As they introduced Launchpad it was like all negatives I felt for the apc where gone...

Therefore I decided Launchpad & NOCTURN are my "apc 2.0". A portable style with much more capabilities to have a modular controller environment and to build a controller set up that fits my needs.

Once again for the ignorant: Smooth controller movement is possible due to the takeover mode "Value Scaling"... 8 steps? Maybe yesterday? Nowadays is Ableton Live and Launchpad! And in comparison to the apc Novation will ship Launchpad with a ready to run step sequenzer even without the need to purchase M4L. This is it!

[chelemasty]

Hi guys

I've had a Trigger Finger and X-Session for quite a few years. I'm quite tempted by both the launchpad and the APC40. Money is tight ofcourse and I'm wondering if I should just get a Launchpad and use that in conjunction with my other two controllers. Or should I try selling those and going for an APC40 with lots of stuff integrated into one unit.

Is anyone else out there facing a similiar choice? Have you got any advice?

Thanks,

Aejaz

From your post, it seems you like to get the both of them but you're in a tight situation. Well, we're on the same situation, for me, I'd rather get the APC40 first coz you can get a lot from it out of the box. Also, knowing that you wanted to buy both, you should get the more expensive one first. And within another months or days you could easily save another 200 dollars or below for the Launchpad.

[yur2die4]

I'm feelin' the Launchpad on this one.

Your triggerfinger gives you velocity sensitive (and pressure sensitive??) controls and you are already very familiar with it.

The X-Session has plenty of knobs, crossfader and ..a few buttons?? You can assign 8 of the knobs to User Remote Script if necessary. Plus I assume it can change channels etc. for multiple layouts. Downside, you do not get the visual feedback of the knobs.

The Launchpad has the Session grid of the APC40 plus the Mixer section and some fun extra user settings. AND (the biggie) Novation's AutoMap. There is a nice vid of it's demonstration on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-3-gb0HiS0



As for the APC, you get a layout that is all there, lit up, and in front of your face. You get Faders + relative knobs (so your parameters don't jump) and a pretty deeply rooted automatic mapping for a LOT of Live's controls. MIDI Mapping the controls gradually limits it's capabilities more and more unless you plan to get extra software to hack the apc and give it multiple interfaces. (Otherwise it's CC/Note info is hardprogrammed).


So you're looking at flexible layout programming (3 devices) vs. dedicated plus relative knob feedback (and the possibility of more features with extra software)

Oh, and you need to use a power adapter for the APC ... but it only hogs one USB port.

[Deth Nesdam]

I have a similar type of setup, and my gut instinct is to go with the Launchpad. Basically you've got all the things the APC40 does, but just spread out over different pieces, which in my opinion is a bit easier to work with.

Leif.