APC 40 FAQs, features and questions

BinaryB · Post by **BinaryB** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 2:17 pm

Will it be available in Australia soon or will we have to import it from the US ?

djsynchro · Post by **djsynchro** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 2:47 pm

does it come in pink?

Jesse · Post by **Jesse** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 4:12 pm

Hi All,
I'll answer what I can here:

How will group tracks be handled?

If a group track is closed, the fader controls that group track. If a group track is expanded, the faders next to the group fader control the sub faders.

Are the encoders "smooth"?

They are smooth, endless encoders, with no notches.

How easy is it to switch the 'hacked' functions of the APC... like the step sequencer made in Max in the video... can i change back and forth through the step sequencer and the "main" APC? what dictates the change of functionality?

You should be able to assign one of the buttons to switch between functionalities. Honestly, I haven't even gotten to try this yet!

Nice, good to hear. but how are the pads ? Button'y or pad'y ? Is there an up-down (monome'y) button motion or do they trigger when you hit them like pads ?

Soft and pad'y. Check out the Akai XR20, they're very similar. There is a tactile feel when the button is pressed, but it's not too 'up down'.

Will I be able to have the APC40 working in tandem with a Novation remote SL? Both connected to computer at same time?

Yes. Up to 6 controllers can be supported at a time in Live's preferences.

It sounds like the APC40 doesn't have any MIDI then? If so that's a shame, since it would be nice to plug in additional controllers via MIDI without having to bring a separate MIDI interface.

There are no MIDI ports for two reasons: saving cost, and the fact that there's a lot of MIDI information going on as it is. Having more go through the device could create situations we couldn't foresee, and could interfere with the APC40's functionality.

I notice it has dedicated Headphone cue controls but no headphone jack, does this mean i will still need a soundcard to DJ cue tracks ?

Yes, this is a MIDI USB Controller, not an audio interface.

Will max for live be the only way to use the apc as a stepsequencer?

Yes.

will i be able to use the knobs to control vj patches in max for live?

It sends standard, basic MIDI information. The rest is up to you.

There will be no pink APC40. Sorry.

beatpoet · Post by **beatpoet** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 4:42 pm

djsynchro wrote:does it come in pink?

Com'n now, that's just ridiculous.

it's not made by Korg.

djsynchro · Post by **djsynchro** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 5:02 pm

Jesse wrote: There will be no pink APC40. Sorry.

Great. That means I'll be the only one.

Looks like the BCF is a goner. I'll miss the motorfaders but "value scaling" is not so bad. Mmm.

theque · Post by **theque** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 1:46 am

jonny72 wrote:The big problem I have is that I'd need to be able to adjust EQ on at least 2 tracks simultaneously.

Will there be a simple way, out of the box without using M4L, to do this?

Such as split the bottom bank of 8 rotaries so that 4 of them can be used as EQ for one track and the other 4 as EQ for another track? Obviously you'd need some way of assigning which track is on each of the 4 sets of rotaries.

If not, some kind of DJ mapping mode built in would be very, very useful.

yeah i am interested in this also. it seems that the controls only apply to the selected track. so how does it work if you want to simultaneously change effects on two different tracks?

Zygi · Post by **Zygi** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 1:56 am

theque wrote:
jonny72 wrote:The big problem I have is that I'd need to be able to adjust EQ on at least 2 tracks simultaneously.

Will there be a simple way, out of the box without using M4L, to do this?

Such as split the bottom bank of 8 rotaries so that 4 of them can be used as EQ for one track and the other 4 as EQ for another track? Obviously you'd need some way of assigning which track is on each of the 4 sets of rotaries.

If not, some kind of DJ mapping mode built in would be very, very useful.
yeah i am interested in this also. it seems that the controls only apply to the selected track. so how does it work if you want to simultaneously change effects on two different tracks?

And as I said somewhere before - this is where VCM 600 is THE controller

- DJs won't benefit from anything but clip matrix. Which roxx anyway

theque · Post by **theque** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 3:41 am

i think its relevant for any kind of live performance, maybe its just me

Lephrenic · Post by **Lephrenic** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 4:46 am

oops.

double post.

No delete option on this forum?

Lephrenic · Post by **Lephrenic** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 4:47 am

theque wrote:
jonny72 wrote:The big problem I have is that I'd need to be able to adjust EQ on at least 2 tracks simultaneously.

Will there be a simple way, out of the box without using M4L, to do this?

Such as split the bottom bank of 8 rotaries so that 4 of them can be used as EQ for one track and the other 4 as EQ for another track? Obviously you'd need some way of assigning which track is on each of the 4 sets of rotaries.

If not, some kind of DJ mapping mode built in would be very, very useful.
yeah i am interested in this also. it seems that the controls only apply to the selected track. so how does it work if you want to simultaneously change effects on two different tracks?

I'm hoping we can somehow reassign the pans to control EQs, filters or whatever. I can't see myself using pans live at all.

steffensen · Post by **steffensen** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 3:24 pm

Perhaps this already been answered (too much text to go thru), but im guessing its possible to change the view of clips, switching to different sets etc. on some other device like a monome for example, just like on the APC40 ?

Would is be possible to alter the API for it to work with other devices?

Lectra · Post by **Lectra** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 6:48 pm

I'm building a live setup and i want two APC-40's asap (before May 26)
Can you guarantee that it will be released somewhere in April/May ?

steffensen · Post by **steffensen** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 7:05 pm

2? With that price i cant even afford 1.

Fieldy · Post by **Fieldy** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 8:24 pm

Lectra wrote:I'm building a live setup and i want two APC-40's asap (before May 26)
Can you guarantee that it will be released somewhere in April/May ?

dude, why do u especially need a apc for your live-set? does it makes sense to build a liveset on a not released piece of hardware? why not making the liveset anyway and if it`s there,take the apc for your control. and if not you can also play it without

Lectra · Post by **Lectra** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 9:01 pm

Fieldy wrote:
dude, why do u especially need a apc for your live-set? does it makes sense to build a liveset on a not released piece of hardware? why not making the liveset anyway and if it`s there,take the apc for your control. and if not you can also play it without

Live setup as in gear used during euh.. live performances.
Obviously i'm not gonna need it while programming
Why do i especially need the APC ?
I need a controller (and a backup) what's so weird about that ?