Here's a question:
I'm assuming that they do, but just to confirm: The return tracks are included in the mixer instant mapping on the APC40 right? And presumably show up after all the regular tracks? So if I've gat 13 track and 3 sends, that'll fit nicely into two banks of faders?
APC 40 FAQs, features and questions
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glitchrock-buddha
- Posts: 4357
- Joined: Fri Oct 14, 2005 1:29 am
- Location: The Ableton Live Forum
Nice to hear about the dual voltage.
Please note though, that warranties for US products are not valid in Europe, and vice versa.
Why is the price higher in Europe?
We don't have a say in the final EURO pricing, but I've voiced your concerns to Akai.
Why Akai did not put some LEDs to the Faders like the LED rings surrounding each knob?
A combination of space, price, electrical requirements. Good idea for the future.
Can please you confirm that the APC does not lock out the mouse.
The APC40 does not lock out the mouse.
The return tracks are included in the mixer instant mapping on the APC40 right? And presumably show up after all the regular tracks? So if I've gat 13 track and 3 sends, that'll fit nicely into two banks of faders?
No. It's on the wishlist though, we'll see if it makes it into a future update.
Please note though, that warranties for US products are not valid in Europe, and vice versa.
Why is the price higher in Europe?
We don't have a say in the final EURO pricing, but I've voiced your concerns to Akai.
Why Akai did not put some LEDs to the Faders like the LED rings surrounding each knob?
A combination of space, price, electrical requirements. Good idea for the future.
Can please you confirm that the APC does not lock out the mouse.
The APC40 does not lock out the mouse.
The return tracks are included in the mixer instant mapping on the APC40 right? And presumably show up after all the regular tracks? So if I've gat 13 track and 3 sends, that'll fit nicely into two banks of faders?
No. It's on the wishlist though, we'll see if it makes it into a future update.
Pricing update:
How much is it?
Akai sets the pricing, we have voiced your concerns.
The US MSRP will be $499 and the European MSRP will be €499. This leads to a $399 street price in the US and check with your local dealer for European street pricing.
We understand that the price differences between USD MAP and Euro may look confusing. However there are a few important factors to consider when comparing these prices.
SALES TAX
Sales Tax is always excluded when US MAP prices are quoted but usually included when Europeans street prices are quoted. Sales tax in the US varies from state to state but in some states customers will pay 10% sales tax on top of the published MAP price. In other states there is 0% sales tax which is why retailers always quote MAP prices without Sales Tax.
For an accurate comparison of prices customers must compare like for like and remove sales tax from the Euro pricing. Sales tax also varies in Europe (from 15% in the UK right now to 25% in parts of scandinavia) but the average is about 19%, the Sales Tax rate in Germany. This means German customers should be comparing 399 USD to about 377 Euros excl. Sales Tax.
SHIPPING COSTS
Because of the large size of the US market, shipments of hardware products from the far east tend to me much larger than shipments to Europe. Economies of scale apply resulting in much cheaper shipping charges on the products that go the US.
EXCHANGE RATES
If we could predict how the worldwide exchange rates would fluctuate then we wouldn’t be working in the music industry! Will exchange rates fluctuating as much as they have in the last 6 months it is very hard to achieve a lasting price parity across multiple currencies.
INFO FOR EUROPEAN CUSTOMERS THINKING ABOUT BUYING FROM THE US
Customers in Europe thinking about buying from the US should consider the following before making their purchase:
When buying on credit card customers won’t enjoy the published exchange rate. Typically credit card companies will use an exchange rate that differs by 5-10% in their favor.
Shipping costs from the US to Europe are much higher (especially on hardware) than local shipping rates.
When products from the US hit local customs customers are liable not only for the local import duty but will also pay local Sales Tax (VAT) when the product is imported.
US products shipped to Europe will not be under warranty, and vice versa.
How much is it?
Akai sets the pricing, we have voiced your concerns.
The US MSRP will be $499 and the European MSRP will be €499. This leads to a $399 street price in the US and check with your local dealer for European street pricing.
We understand that the price differences between USD MAP and Euro may look confusing. However there are a few important factors to consider when comparing these prices.
SALES TAX
Sales Tax is always excluded when US MAP prices are quoted but usually included when Europeans street prices are quoted. Sales tax in the US varies from state to state but in some states customers will pay 10% sales tax on top of the published MAP price. In other states there is 0% sales tax which is why retailers always quote MAP prices without Sales Tax.
For an accurate comparison of prices customers must compare like for like and remove sales tax from the Euro pricing. Sales tax also varies in Europe (from 15% in the UK right now to 25% in parts of scandinavia) but the average is about 19%, the Sales Tax rate in Germany. This means German customers should be comparing 399 USD to about 377 Euros excl. Sales Tax.
SHIPPING COSTS
Because of the large size of the US market, shipments of hardware products from the far east tend to me much larger than shipments to Europe. Economies of scale apply resulting in much cheaper shipping charges on the products that go the US.
EXCHANGE RATES
If we could predict how the worldwide exchange rates would fluctuate then we wouldn’t be working in the music industry! Will exchange rates fluctuating as much as they have in the last 6 months it is very hard to achieve a lasting price parity across multiple currencies.
INFO FOR EUROPEAN CUSTOMERS THINKING ABOUT BUYING FROM THE US
Customers in Europe thinking about buying from the US should consider the following before making their purchase:
When buying on credit card customers won’t enjoy the published exchange rate. Typically credit card companies will use an exchange rate that differs by 5-10% in their favor.
Shipping costs from the US to Europe are much higher (especially on hardware) than local shipping rates.
When products from the US hit local customs customers are liable not only for the local import duty but will also pay local Sales Tax (VAT) when the product is imported.
US products shipped to Europe will not be under warranty, and vice versa.
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Ken Mattel
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:12 pm
- Location: Germany
Jesse wrote:
higher interval of blinking: the fader position is over the value to take over
lower interval of blinking: the fader position is under the value to take over
constant glow: the fader has taken over
feature: ascending and decending of the interval changes in relation to the position of the value to take over.
at least one LED per fader.Why Akai did not put some LEDs to the Faders like the LED rings surrounding each knob?
A combination of space, price, electrical requirements. Good idea for the future.
higher interval of blinking: the fader position is over the value to take over
lower interval of blinking: the fader position is under the value to take over
constant glow: the fader has taken over
feature: ascending and decending of the interval changes in relation to the position of the value to take over.
Last edited by Ken Mattel on Thu Jan 29, 2009 1:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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DJ Marky Marc
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Sat Nov 22, 2008 2:47 pm
Thanks for taking the time again Jesse, much appriciated, and thanks for opening up this thread, I do realise this is an Akai issue and you guys are getting the flack maybe let someone from Akai on here to defend their position, we'll be nice, promiseJesse wrote:Pricing update:
How much is it?
Akai sets the pricing, we have voiced your concerns.
The US MSRP will be $499 and the European MSRP will be €499. This leads to a $399 street price in the US and check with your local dealer for European street pricing.
We understand that the price differences between USD MAP and Euro may look confusing. However there are a few important factors to consider when comparing these prices.
SALES TAX
Sales Tax is always excluded when US MAP prices are quoted but usually included when Europeans street prices are quoted. Sales tax in the US varies from state to state but in some states customers will pay 10% sales tax on top of the published MAP price. In other states there is 0% sales tax which is why retailers always quote MAP prices without Sales Tax.
For an accurate comparison of prices customers must compare like for like and remove sales tax from the Euro pricing. Sales tax also varies in Europe (from 15% in the UK right now to 25% in parts of scandinavia) but the average is about 19%, the Sales Tax rate in Germany. This means German customers should be comparing 399 USD to about 377 Euros excl. Sales Tax.
SHIPPING COSTS
Because of the large size of the US market, shipments of hardware products from the far east tend to me much larger than shipments to Europe. Economies of scale apply resulting in much cheaper shipping charges on the products that go the US.
EXCHANGE RATES
If we could predict how the worldwide exchange rates would fluctuate then we wouldn’t be working in the music industry! Will exchange rates fluctuating as much as they have in the last 6 months it is very hard to achieve a lasting price parity across multiple currencies.
INFO FOR EUROPEAN CUSTOMERS THINKING ABOUT BUYING FROM THE US
Customers in Europe thinking about buying from the US should consider the following before making their purchase:
When buying on credit card customers won’t enjoy the published exchange rate. Typically credit card companies will use an exchange rate that differs by 5-10% in their favor.
Shipping costs from the US to Europe are much higher (especially on hardware) than local shipping rates.
When products from the US hit local customs customers are liable not only for the local import duty but will also pay local Sales Tax (VAT) when the product is imported.
US products shipped to Europe will not be under warranty, and vice versa.
There is nothing here I did not know however, I do understand the taxes involved very well and no matter what way you look it it doesn't add up.
As you say comparing like with like, €377 is still equal to $490
I see some shops over here now have the APC at €445 street price.
Anyway, I'm sick of talking numbers and no official statement explains the reality.
The Reality wrote: The APC 40 is a great product, a must have for any Live user. Akai spotted this and decided to do a little bit of profitering, while still getting kudos for keeping the US street price so low.
Here is the real comparsion:
I think that most people will agree the the Akai MPD is an Akai controller that very much resembles the APC in build, weight, components etc.
Akai APC 40 Quoted Street: US$399
European Street : €445
$177 more expensive in Europe
Akai MPD 32 US Street (Sam ash): US$329
European Street (Thomann): €249
$6 cheaper in Europe
Do taxes, shipping etc explain that, er, no.
I think it is obivious that Akai are taking a good chunk of Ableton's loyal customers for a ride, so please stop defending their stance. It doesn't look good for Ableton, if you cannot do anything about it's probably better to just distance yourselves as much as you can.
If Akai can sell MPD 32's over here for almost the same price as in the US they sure as hell can sell APC 40's over here for at least a 1:1 ratio when a €1=$1.30 as has been hovering about that for quiet a while now.
I'm sure this all made marketing sense in the run up to NAMM, I just hope lessons have been learn and Ableton will not allow this to happen in future. It's blatant profitering on Akai's part and it's fucking sick no matter what way you look at it.
Akai, Alesis, Ion Audio and Numark and are all owned by Numark Industries.DJ Marky Marc wrote:Someone told me Akai are now owned by Numark... and to be careful of this product because Numark are famous for cutting costs and using cheep parts where possible...
??
MacBook Pro 13" Early 2011 - OS X 10.7.4
Enough about the price already!
This is a great thread, except for all of this carping about the price. It costs what it costs, if you don't like it, don't buy it. Stuff costs more in Europe for all kinds of reasons, mostly because generally Europeans are used to paying more for stuff, and do; but partly because of higher taxes, higher wages, higher energy and distribution costs, software and documentation localisation costs, smaller markets with diverse language, tax, employment laws, quality standards, CE mark, import duties, etc etc get the picture? Aaarggh!
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glitchrock-buddha
- Posts: 4357
- Joined: Fri Oct 14, 2005 1:29 am
- Location: The Ableton Live Forum
That's a pretty serious ommission.Jesse wrote:
The return tracks are included in the mixer instant mapping on the APC40 right? And presumably show up after all the regular tracks? So if I've gat 13 track and 3 sends, that'll fit nicely into two banks of faders?
No. It's on the wishlist though, we'll see if it makes it into a future update.
Last edited by glitchrock-buddha on Thu Jan 29, 2009 6:55 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Professional Shark Jumper.
Re: Enough about the price already!
Can you not read, look at the reality box above again, two products made by the same company with a lot of the same costs, taxes shipping etc. One costs 45% more the other is practically the same. Build costs aside, it cost Akai practically the same to get both these products to market.vicz wrote:This is a great thread, except for all of this carping about the price. It costs what it costs, if you don't like it, don't buy it. Stuff costs more in Europe for all kinds of reasons, mostly because generally Europeans are used to paying more for stuff, and do; but partly because of higher taxes, higher wages, higher energy and distribution costs, software and documentation localisation costs, smaller markets with diverse language, tax, employment laws, quality standards, CE mark, import duties, etc etc get the picture? Aaarggh!
Anyway, I've made my point and finished carping. I'll be getting my APC to when they drop, I just think these discrepancies need to be highlighted, hopefully when the next controller comes out Akai might see sense.
i don´t work much with return tracks inboard, at least not the way that i would need real control over it. people should get away, that everything has the total priority at the same time, and that a controller would be something like a 3 d abstract (of their ableton live) they could dive in and be god. there are always limitations, which rarely is a bad thing.
the price is fair for what this piece seems to deliver. that video might display its dimensions. the only thing i´m still a bit afraid of are stability/timing issues (drivers).
the price is fair for what this piece seems to deliver. that video might display its dimensions. the only thing i´m still a bit afraid of are stability/timing issues (drivers).
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"after all it wouldn´t have been possible without the impossible."
"after all it wouldn´t have been possible without the impossible."
There is control of return tracks, if you don't send it anything you don't hear anything. For performing Live you really have to keep it simple you don't want to stand there in the dark fiddling with shift modes so one know has 15 different functions. So yeah would be cool to have return faders but by no means essential.