Hey all,
I just purchased Ableton Suite, and I'm buying my first MIDI controllers. I was originally going for a Launchpad + nanoKONTROL2 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004M8 ... TJW7X82VNF) + microKORG setup, but the fact that the Launchpad's buttons aren't velocity sensitive worries me.
Essentially, my question is: Will I be missing out on a crucial dimension for producing and performing drums if I only stick with the Launchpad? Should I stick a nanoPAD2 (http://www.amazon.com/KORG-nanoPAD2-Sli ... 769&sr=8-2) on top of my existing setup because it does have velocity-sensitive pads?
Thank you!
Need Advice: How important are velocity-sensitive pads?
Re: Need Advice: How important are velocity-sensitive pads?
There can be a lot of debate on this. There is a massive number of people that do not use the velocity sensitivity when playing drums. This ensures that you get the perfect, most predictable 'tight' sound each and every time you hit the pad. This would be the way to go if you wanted some insane monster beats. If you have a launchpad, you've got at least 64 pads to choose from, you can have a lot of variation in your samples with that many pads. I'd definitely USE the LP, and see what you can do with it, before considering acquiring more gear 
(i'm pretty sure that Jeremy Ellis uses full velocity for his sets, his youtube videos are insane haha)
On the other hand, there is a great number of people that DO use velocity sensitivity (David 'fingers' Haynes being an example). This is especially crucial for that 'live drummer' kind of feel. You have to be careful though and practice a Lot, one slight flick of the finger, and you're hitting your pad a lot harder (louder) than you expected. It makes for great exercise and can add some flavor to a track. Of course, this might sound horrible if you were using velocity sensitivity on something expected to hit consistently every time.
Lastly, do you have an audio device that has a MIDI Cable input? You could also consider using the keys on your microKORG as an option for playing out drums. The bonus with that is you can familiarize yourself with the General MIDI Drum layout (if you haven't already)
(i'm pretty sure that Jeremy Ellis uses full velocity for his sets, his youtube videos are insane haha)On the other hand, there is a great number of people that DO use velocity sensitivity (David 'fingers' Haynes being an example). This is especially crucial for that 'live drummer' kind of feel. You have to be careful though and practice a Lot, one slight flick of the finger, and you're hitting your pad a lot harder (louder) than you expected. It makes for great exercise and can add some flavor to a track. Of course, this might sound horrible if you were using velocity sensitivity on something expected to hit consistently every time.
Lastly, do you have an audio device that has a MIDI Cable input? You could also consider using the keys on your microKORG as an option for playing out drums. The bonus with that is you can familiarize yourself with the General MIDI Drum layout
(if you haven't already)Re: Need Advice: How important are velocity-sensitive pads?
Its good to have the option of using velocity sensitive drums... but if you already have a microkorg you may as well use that.
Re: Need Advice: How important are velocity-sensitive pads?
The Lauchpad probably wasn't designed with playing drums in mind but for some people it's fine. Considering it's called the LAUNCHpad it's more for launching clips than playing.
The AKAI LPD 8 has very nice pads by the way. They have just the right velocity sensitivity for me.
The AKAI LPD 8 has very nice pads by the way. They have just the right velocity sensitivity for me.