Akai APC40 & Ableton Live - Knob Sensitivity

[JGum]

I tried searching the forum, looked through the pdf manual, and gave Google a try but I'm either putting in the wrong terms or I'm just doing something wrong with my controller. Either way I come to you seeking assistance.

I have added a pitch controller to my instrument and when using the default knob, I get the same results as if I MIDI map one.

The problem is when I turn the knob it doesn't respond until it jumps at least two pitches, usually 3 or 4 unless I gently slowly turn the knob. Even then though it will start at 0 turn to +/-3 then to reset it to 0 is impossible only going to +/-1. This continues throughout the rotation of the knob counting the increments by 2s only displaying odd numbers. it should be noted when I actually select the knob in question I can use the arrow keys on my keyboard to change the increments 1 numeral at a time.

Any input on editing sensitivity or changes to make to help this get solved would be appreciated. (I don't get why it acts like this considering the APC40 was designed for Ableton.) I was thinking I had something set wrong but it happens even when creating a new set.

Thank you for any insight/advice you can offer.

[agent314]

Are you using the Pitch MIDI device?

If so, you can change the mapping sensitivity either when you MIDI map or if you assign it to a Macro knob. You can set the high+low range, so you could make it -12 to +12 which should hopefully make it more responsive to your liking.

[JuanSOLO]

It depend on the range of the parameter you are mapped to. For example, if you map to a parameter that goes from 0-4 the knob will turn a lot before it reaches the next increment. If the value goes from 0-127 it will increment at the slightest turn. Some parameters in Live are different from eachother, and the APC40 does not have "high resolution" knobs.

[JGum]

Yeah I'm using the MIDI effect "Pitch" so it automagically maps to knob 1 of my device control or because I have more than 1 I was working with I mapped them each to knobs 5-8.

the range of the "Pitch" knob seems to be from -128 to 128 and the range option that is assigned to knob 2 defaults to +127 st. If I change that "Range" beneath it to anything between -128 & +128 it makes no difference in the way the other knob responds to input. (I'm not sure if that's how that is supposed to work or not) but this is frustrating so I'll take advice or suggestions from anyone.

Thank you.

[JuanSOLO]

I use the Pitch device quite a bit, yet I have it nested in a Rack. I map the pitch to on of the Rack's Macro knobs and adjust the value of the mapping from 0-127. On the APC40 I "blue hand" the Rack, not the actual Pitch Device. This way the APC40's device Knobs will grab the Macro I mapped too, and it will go from 0-127, or what ever I set that range too.

[JuanSOLO]

Racks are great tools. Another example would be if you wanted to reverse the range. For example, I have an Auto Filter Rack I use a lot. One of the Macros is mapped to the filter shape. After mapping, by default, when the macro is at zero the shape will be the random square wave thingy, and all the way up will be a sine wave. However I like the macro to be at zero and THAT be the sine wave. So I go into the mapping editor an reverse the mapping values.

[JGum]

JuanSOLO, when you say "rack it" you mean to actually add the pitch effect to a drum rack right? Forgive my ignorance while I ask a few questions. Once I have mapped my pitch does that mean I hit the note the pitch change was associated with then it will change automatically to the new pitch requiring another one to return to 0 state? Or does that note work as a knob or slider requiring another to trigger to move in the opposite direction? I've just recently read about putting instruments and effects in drum racks but I'd like to get a better understanding of its practical use.

thanks for a nudge towards making it work.

[JuanSOLO]

wow, you kinda lost me.

Try this:
1. Where ever your pitch device is located, right click on it and choose "group." This will nest the pitch into a Rack.
2. Click on the Map Mode button on the newly established Rack
3. Map it to Macro 1
4. Open your browser
5. Adjust the value of the knob you mapped.
6. Click Map Mode again to turn it off

That is what I was trying to relay.

I have a question, what is the instrument you are putting after the Pitch, OR, what is it you running the Pitch too, and what are you trying to alter with the Pitch effect?

[JGum]

JuanSOLO, (I can see how I lost you, I don't really know what I'm talking about) I'm running a drum rack full of glitches & sound effects, so when I change the pitch I change the random noises, but I have arranged them that sirens get replaced by sirens, sweeps replaced by sweeps, etc. but if you pitch it too far it will fall out of sync. I'm finding some good combinations but I'd like to be able to call them up when wanted, the idea of fine twiddling that knob is not for me.

I tried what you were saying about putting it in a MIDI effect rack but I don't see where that helps me yet unfortunately as I'm getting the same results from the knobs input.

[JuanSOLO]

OK, I think I got it.

So if you have your DrumRack loaded with samples from bottom to top
AND you put a Pitch Effect in front of the DrumRack
THEN group the Pitch AND the DrumRack making an instrument rack with the Pitch and DrumRack nested in it.
Now you map your Pitch Knob to Macro 1 on the instrument rack
SET the mapped value in the browser/editor from -59 (bottom of the drumRack) to +68 (top of the drumRack)

So now on the APC40 when you "blue hand" the instrument rack your device 1 knob will control the cell selection from bottom to top of the drumRack in increments of 1

If you dont want to tediously dial in a setting, because increments of 1, can be hard to dial in, THEN use less samples in the drumRack and adjust the mapped macro accordingly, giving you larger increments.

Does that make since?

[JuanSOLO]

do you own "Sampler" for Live?