APC20, APC40 or BCR 2000?

[ttaralli]

I'm working on a small footprint setup for my small NYC apt right now and here is what I'm looking at.

I have Maschine, and an AKAI LPK25 but I would like to add some sort of dedicated Ableton controller. I was using a Korg NanoKontrol but there is no automap I'm looking for something like a Mackie Control but maybe a bit smaller (like the APC20). My question is, what should I go with? The APC40 would give me control over 8 knobs on a selected device, which I like but is it worth 200 more dollars?

One last question for APC40 owners, If I have 8 tracks in a project I'm working on and I decide to "slice to midi" the clip in track one will the APC channel 2 takeover for the newly sliced tracked?

Thank you so much in advance for your help, right now I'm leaning towards the APC20 and I tried novation and the Automap just wasn't working for me.

[inakiesarte]

I may be selling my bcr 2000, with one year but just used a couple of times, it is actually on the box... mint condition

[channelite]

In regards to an auto map for the Korg Nano Kontrol, you could write a custom script for it. I've done this for the pad kontrol and a MS2000R. Check out this post if you're interested.

http://forum.ableton.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=104540

[comradec]

Given a choice between Akai's APC20 or APC40 and Novation's Launchpad, I'd definitely go for the APCs because they include standard transport controls and faders whereas the Launchpad does not. That means they're useful in both the session and arrangement views; the Launchpad only seems useful in the session view. (The transport controls on the APC20 are not as obvious as on the 40, but they are there - only in a different place.)

I've owned quite a few MIDI controllers, including Akai's APC40, MPK25 and LPK25, M-Audio's Trigger Finger, Oxygen8 v2 and Axiom 25, all of Korg's nano series, Edirol's PCR-500, Frontier Design's AlphaTrack and TranzPort, and Novation's Nocturn.

The APC40 has been by far the best controller for Live. No competition. Provided you have the deskspace for it.

If you don't have much space, then the AlphaTrack is worth a look. Just a single fader but it's a motorised one and very easy to move quickly between different channels/tracks.

I've had a go on the Launchpad but just in the shop. I think it's okay but only alongside another controller that has standard transport controls. A Launchpad/AlphaTrack combination would probably be very good. That said, I'm not at all keen on Novation's Automap software. Using it with the Nocturn, I found the interface very intrusive.

[McQ714]

Don't know if this applies to the Guitar Centers near anyone else... but I just stopped by one in Cali and they had the APC40 for $300 and the MPK25 for $150. pretty big savings on both units. I think those prices are good all weekend. they had some good pricing on other stuff, too!

[glitchrock-buddha]

APC40 for sure.

[Ben_Binary]

APC40 for features.

Bheringer thingy only for price.

[IP]

Apc40 and bcr2000 have nothing common (for the way of controlling live).

even if you run bcr on mackie mode you still will not be able to control (and browse) tracks and devices that fast.
Also you dont get any feedback about in what area you are working...

Im sure that a midi junkie can easily make a hack for a bcr apc-mode but till then.... no way
thats why i sell mine


off/Wish akai had a more logical pricing EU=US/off

[ttaralli]

looks like the APC will be the winner, now I need to decide if I want the 20 or 40? Are the knobs that important?

[comradec]

looks like the APC will be the winner, now I need to decide if I want the 20 or 40? Are the knobs that important?

The knobs are useful if you use a lot of Live's built-in effects. Not so useful if you mainly use third party plug-ins.

The APC20 will save you both money and deskspace. The question is whether that spare money and deskspace will buy you something more useful than the knobs. To be honest, though, I doubt it would. If you can afford it, the APC40 is definitely the one to go for.

[ttaralli]

Thanks for the advice, looks like I'm going to pick up an APC40!

[comradec]

Thanks for the advice, looks like I'm going to pick up an APC40!

One negative about the APC40 that might be worth mentioning. Just so that you have the full picture.

It won't work off bus power alone. You have to use its power supply unit. Akai say that bus power isn't sufficient due to the many flashing lights and such like on the APC.

That might not be an issue for you. It wasn't for me. But it could be a problem for some people. However, most other controllers, including the Launchpad, will work off bus power.

[#1thelark]

I just watched this video and it seems like the zero sl plus a launchpad would be a nice combo aswell because you actually see on your sl-display which parameter you are controlling and don't need to look at the pc screen...

Are there any drawbacks to the remote sl+launchpad solution?

[jonesonyou]

Thanks for the advice, looks like I'm going to pick up an APC40!

One negative about the APC40 that might be worth mentioning. Just so that you have the full picture.

It won't work off bus power alone. You have to use its power supply unit. Akai say that bus power isn't sufficient due to the many flashing lights and such like on the APC.

That might not be an issue for you. It wasn't for me. But it could be a problem for some people. However, most other controllers, including the Launchpad, will work off bus power.

As far as bus power vs ac power. the bcr2k has to be ac powered as well.

[ze2be]

As far as bus power vs ac power. the bcr2k has to be ac powered as well.

Yes, but it doesn't need a power supply. Its got it built inside.