Ok seriously, APC40 or Launchpad?

[humnumb]

Actually not sure I agree there. When, for example, looking at the combo Launchpad + Nocturn you'd basically end up with a bigger pad and less knobs.

Nocturn + Launchpad still has Novation Automap which handles third party plugins very well which is something APC40 cannot do at all, other than building racks and assigning macros. Also, the Nocturn script by guille offers far more controls for Live out of the box than APCs: transpose audio/midi clip, loop start, loop length, scrub...etc. With this setup along with a usb keypad or a nanokontrol with keystrokes mapped to midi buttons can pretty much eliminate the need to use the mouse.

At this point though, I would recommend the iPad over either.

[old school user]

I can see a Launchpad for iPad in the future.

check this one: http://www.midipad.de/midipad/midipad_screenshots.html

the future looks bright, at least as far as wireless controllers for Live goes

[Tone Deft]

I can see a Launchpad for iPad in the future.

check this one: http://www.midipad.de/midipad/midipad_screenshots.html

the future looks bright, at least as far as wireless controllers for Live goes

of course. nothing would be simpler than taking a screen touch and converting that into OSC to send over WiFi. there's nothing to it.

what the iPad won't be good at is audio processing, it's too weak. but for graphics and detecting button presses, that stuff is dead simple. someone might as well make an app that has a few dozen controller shapes that allows the user to edit what they send and what they react to, then let them set the color, size, max/min values, shape and position on the screen.


dunno, for $400-$800 what other controller might I get? I'll wait to see if anything revolutionary comes out. I have touchOSC for the iPhone but I haven't used it, do I really need to control Live wirelessly?

[3dot...]

apc...a good deal...(mixer...device..send controls...xfader..all-in-one)
LaunchPad...real for people like me..which already have other controllers..
(bigger buttons..4 modes of operation..8x8 grid+extra buttons)

for me.. the all-in-one deal is sort if a compromise..
I'd rather have..
a mixer(with sends)..
an audio interface...
a keyboard controller ..
mixer/device controller..
live grid control/matrix controller (shame these controllers are not velocity sensitive..yet)

separated..

[delicioso]

My main goal is to have something easy to setup, thats intuitive for sequencing drum patters and controlling effects and vsts

I would highly recommend getting Maschine. It integrates superbly with Live and also makes for an excellent controller for Live as well as plugins.

someone might as well make an app that has a few dozen controller shapes that allows the user to edit what they send and what they react to, then let them set the color, size, max/min values, shape and position on the screen.

You mean something like this?

Argos Interface Builder is an open-source drag-and-drop interface tool, for Windows and Mac, designed for building multi-touch music and visual performance applications that lets you drag in basic widgets like buttons, sliders, toggles, envelopes, and x-y pads, and assign them to OSC.
http://createdigitalmusic.com/2010/02/1 ... ad-beyond/

[Tone Deft]

woot!

IMO like everything else on the web it will come down to porn.

so the real question is - will the iFap's case hold up to petroleum based lubricants?

[leisuremuffin]

lunchpad + nomone = incredibly cheap fun


.lm.

[evanb]

I really want a controller with everything in front of you, no hitting shift and paging controls or anything...I want dedicated buttons just like hardware..here is where I see the APC shining...I think from the production aspect in the studio having dedicated buttons help you...you shouldn't have to think much to achieve simple tasks like volume, arm, solo and basic effect controls

I am about to order a APC40 next week to add to my maschine now just need to find a slim down keyboard controller, I am even considering getting a novation sl and having automap handle the vst controls for my soft synths and the apc for the effects and of cource recording clips, and control of tracks

[tenderboy]

for live-use i prefer the apc40 hands down, everything i need at my fingertips without having to change modes or anything...

i mainly use the lunchpad for practising programming max4live and for taking with me everywhere with my laptop...but on stage its the apc

[agent314]

I've had the APC for about a month and got the LP yesterday, and between the two, the APC's workflow is SO much quicker and more responsive than the LP that it's kind of hard to compare.

I'm happy to have both, because the APC having 5 scenes is just slightly too few to be ideal, but the LP's non-clip-launching functions (mixer/pan, arming/soloing, track selection) all leave a LOT to be desired in terms of performance and response. Changing between Session/Mixer/User modes is too slow to be useful in realtime the way I've been using the APC. Plus, no dedicated tempo/tap/transport features really limit it in a lot of ways that I didn't expect it to be.

What I really want is an APC64, an APC40 with 64 triggers and maybe a couple more sends or some assignable quick-change buttons to jump back to a certain device/instrument/etc. along with drum-rack-enabled pads a la the 20 and LP.

I love the APC, and so far the LP is great for how I'm using it - but if I wanted to do with the LP what I'm doing with the APC, I would be sorely disappointed. The separate faders/rotaries (which, as stated before, are fantastic, btw) are huge, and while the LP can physically DO it, the workflow for it just isn't as smooth as I would want it to be.

Between the two, they're both awesome in their respective spheres, and they work great in tandem with each other (esp. using the APC to cue/record/launch patterns, and playing them in via the LP), but I think the APC's balance is better overall.

Not being able to toss it in my bag and have it be USB powered does suck though - the LP's got that going for it, which is actually bigger a selling point than I thought it would be.

[humnumb]

I've had the APC for about a month and got the LP yesterday, and between the two, the APC's workflow is SO much quicker and more responsive than the LP that it's kind of hard to compare.

That's missing the point of the Launchpad though. It's not meant to be compared to the APC on its own. Launchpad is geared towards a modular setup with other controllers. When you look at how most people are using the Launchpad in conjunction with other portable/usb-powered devices like Nocturn (w/ guille's script) and nanoKontrol (w/ Myralfur's script), it actually compares favorably to the APC.

[blue frog beats]

Ummmm do you really have to ask? APC40 without a doubt

the LP is basically a scaled down, shitty version of the APC40. Without Faders, Without control knobs, without the ability to be more than anything besides... u guessed it... a launchpad.

This isn't even a debate

APC40 shits on the LP

[Tone Deft]

Ummmm do you really have to ask? APC40 without a doubt

the LP is basically a scaled down, shitty version of the APC40. Without Faders, Without control knobs, without the ability to be more than anything besides... u guessed it... a launchpad.

This isn't even a debate

APC40 shits on the LP

totally disagree. how much time have you spent using a Launch Pad?


both are amazing and have different roles.

[agent314]

Yeah - the more I'm playing with the LP, the more I'm realizing that for as ostensibly similar as they are, the APC and LP are two totally different beasts.

If I had to choose one or the other I'd go with the APC, just because it does more of what I want to do with a single controller, but I am extremely happy to be using them both in tandem.

[blue frog beats]

Ummmm do you really have to ask? APC40 without a doubt

the LP is basically a scaled down, shitty version of the APC40. Without Faders, Without control knobs, without the ability to be more than anything besides... u guessed it... a launchpad.

This isn't even a debate

APC40 shits on the LP

totally disagree. how much time have you spent using a Launch Pad?


both are amazing and have different roles.

I'll be honest, not much. My buddy has one and swears by it, but the only advantage i see in the LP is the fact that it is small, light, and usb powered. Other than that, you'd have a hard time convincing me its anywhere close to the tool that the apc 40 is