Why must everybody shat on the APC because of the Launchpad?

squelcht · Post by **squelcht** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 11:57 am

I at least think the APC is the bees knees over the Launchpad. Why does it seem so many on the forum are looking to throw the APC out like a used cum rag? Guess I'm old skool. I heart knobs...

smartass303 · Post by **smartass303** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 12:03 pm

because broke ass mofos like me dont have the money to purchase a apc but maybe 150 quid to purchase a launchpad (for christmas).
a launchpad + a controller (nocturn, uc33, bcf or bcr) make a poor mofos apc.

my 2 ct,

303

Pasha · Post by **Pasha** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 12:15 pm

I do not have the APC because I do not perform live.
For many years people were very interested about Monome
but it was expensive. Launchpad is a very affordable controller
resembling a Monome setup. Is not that all of a sudden APC
has lost its hype. Simply put people are always excited
about the newest toys especially when the price is affordable.
Being an owner of a BCF2000 for me APC40 is not the way to go
because of lack of motorized faders and Launchpad could be the right complement. Think about it : a Mackie Mode Mixer with Motorized Faders plus
a Launchpad for session view clip wizardry. Made in heaven.
Price wise there's a huge difference in 499 Euro and 149 Euro,
especially for a USB Powered device... so portable.
Remember that Live that comes with Launchpad has a 8x8 grid so
more than enough for amateurs.. to get into Live without breaking the bank.
So those with APC40 should live happy. They have a world class controller.
When Launchpad will come out later this year, we'll see.

- Best
- Pasha

squelcht · Post by **squelcht** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 1:04 pm

My apologies--- I'm being just as bad for saying the APC wins over the Launchpad than those who believe the other way around, when the damn thing is'nt even out yet. Guess it was just a shock to see so many people ready to trade off. Marketing is such a beast. Who do you think will come rolling in next to give us a dedicated Live controller hard-on, M-Audio? Shit they'll make one for $150 bucks & it'll have velocity sensitive pads...

SubFunk · Post by **SubFunk** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 1:09 pm

squelcht wrote:My apologies--- I'm being just as bad for saying the APC wins over the Launchpad than those who believe the other way around, when the damn thing is'nt even out yet. Guess it was just a shock to see so many people ready to trade off. Marketing is such a beast. Who do you think will come rolling in next to give us a dedicated Live controller hard-on, M-Audio? Shit they'll make one for $150 bucks & it'll have velocity sensitive pads...

be a 100% sure of that!!!, it will become a race like computers... more and more and quicker and quicker, and never really good!,
to always keep a reason to upgrade, resell, get something new, etc.

mattjolly · Post by **mattjolly** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 1:38 pm

I dont understand either... i am still thinking about gettin the apc40.. pretty much definite... launchpad looks good but doesn't seem right to me... i like faders and knobs... 2 launchpads one to mix and one to launch clips or even just one launchpad doesn't seem right for playing live... i need physical things to touch not just bunch of buttons

Im pretty certain i will buy the apc40 post launchpad announcement...

probably down the track might add one to the apc40 but i will see how i go!

Bleep Blop Ima Robot · Post by **Bleep Blop Ima Robot** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 2:02 pm

i <3 apc40 and its knobs to...and i do like the launchpad also cuz im looking for more clip launch bottons, but still, i cant work without my apc40. But the launchpad is going to save me some money now seeing how i wont have to resort to a monome for more rubber bottons.

dredd i knight · Post by **dredd i knight** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 2:10 pm

I always liked the look of the Apc, but its price was too high for me: I have a bcf which has superior faders, a novation sl25 mark 1 which has superior effects control, and a korg kontrol pad, which gives me my goto for beat making. i use nativekontrol trigger to fire clips from my korg, but would prefer something dedicated like the apc. but the price, considering i only wanted it for one of its many features, seemed prohibitive.

ENTER LAUNCHPAD! Its reasonably priced, big enough for the job, small enough for portability, and it does just what I need.
I think its positive reaction here is that so many of us already have other bits of kit which do some of what the apc does, and were reluctant to spend that much extra when they were happy with what they already had. Now they can, so it seems like everyone hates the apc... we dont its just that this is perfect for launching clips, can do other stuff and is a third of the price (I was particularly pissed because of the CRAZY uk pricing: £399 when it's $399? no fucking way man)

now maybe akai will wake up release a cut down apc, and start charging more fairly. or not.
still think the apc is lovely, but it doesnt compete

AceLuby · Post by **AceLuby** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 2:21 pm

a novation sl25 mark 1 which has superior effects control

Can you explain this statement a little more?

I work a lot w/ racks and feel that the SL is inferior in this respect.

8O · Post by 8O » Mon Oct 05, 2009 2:27 pm

My guess it's also because it's just announced and no-one's tried one out yet and we don't have posts on "the 12 things I hate about my launchpad" yet. I'm sure when it's really available in the shops and people try it out, the hype will calm down and people will buy the APC or the Launchpad on more rational criteria.

Tarekith · Post by **Tarekith** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 2:46 pm

Hahahaa, you said "Rational Criteria" on the Ableton forum, that's like a double negative.

Obvious Alias · Post by **Obvious Alias** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 2:53 pm

I'm still hooked on my APC and don't think that the Launchpad will be taking its place anytime soon. I like knobs and faders, and I like how the APC has them, and a clip grid, all in one device. The APC really isn't that big (despite everyone talking about how ginormous it is...) and I would much rather carry the APC than the Launchpad AND something with knobs and faders.

So yeah, APC for me!

leedsquietman · Post by **leedsquietman** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 2:53 pm

rational thinking ??

probably the #1 hate on the pending '12 reasons to hate the launchpad' will be - "it has no faders or knobs unlike the APC40" by some noob who got caught up on the bandwagon and didn't know what they were buying except it had a bunch of cool flashing lights.

Most people will surely know by now that the Launchpad is mostly aimed at those who already have other controllers who don't want to shell out 400 bucks on clip launching. On the other hand, for those with substandard, or no other controllers, and especially in the studio, the APC40 provides faders (albeit not very good ones) and knobs and clip launch as part of one package, hence the extra cost (although AKAI could use a review of it's pricing policy outside North America and might have to shave 50 bucks off the price in the USA/Canada due to no longer being the #1 must have Live add-on. With Max For Live, both devices have more potential capability for other cool tricks.

It shouldn't be a contest, both are cool and designed for different markets. They can also possibly compliment each other.

Nick the Zombie · Post by **Nick the Zombie** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 3:08 pm

Like many here, for me it's a matter of both price and purpose. The APC seems very well suited for a live environment, but when I tried it out at a friend's studio, the workflow of the unit seemed a bit too restricted. I prefer the Launchpad because it's cheaper, smaller, and very open-ended. No unnecessary faders or knobs (I have other controllers for that) and really great pad feedback. When the M4L geniuses start dropping their custom devices, the Launchpad will be an affordable way to interact with them.

I'm really psyched to see what people do in the way of live beatchoppers, among other things. Would be interesting to have some real competition for the Monome! I did a hands-on impression with a test unit for those who are interested in the Launchpad interface from a sound design perspective:

http://nickstutorials.com/archives/217

UKRuss · Post by **UKRuss** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 3:13 pm

dredd i knight wrote:I always liked the look of the Apc, but its price was too high for me: I have a bcf which has superior faders, a novation sl25 mark 1 which has superior effects control, and a korg kontrol pad, which gives me my goto for beat making. i use nativekontrol trigger to fire clips from my korg, but would prefer something dedicated like the apc. but the price, considering i only wanted it for one of its many features, seemed prohibitive.

ENTER LAUNCHPAD! Its reasonably priced, big enough for the job, small enough for portability, and it does just what I need.
I think its positive reaction here is that so many of us already have other bits of kit which do some of what the apc does, and were reluctant to spend that much extra when they were happy with what they already had. Now they can, so it seems like everyone hates the apc... we dont its just that this is perfect for launching clips, can do other stuff and is a third of the price (I was particularly pissed because of the CRAZY uk pricing: £399 when it's $399? no fucking way man)

now maybe akai will wake up release a cut down apc, and start charging more fairly. or not.
still think the apc is lovely, but it doesnt compete

+ 1.

US vs Euro price = pisstake for APC.

Why must everybody shat on the APC because of the Launchpad?

Why must everybody shat on the APC because of the Launchpad?

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