If you had known about Launchpad would you have bought APC?

[delicioso]

Yes. I use enough usb ports anyways with APC40, maschine, Kore, BCR2000 and nanokeys. Don't need to split devices into smaller chunks.

For those who already invested in an APC I can see your point, but Launchpad is more than just a smaller chunk from an APC. It's a better implementation of the session view grid launcher (which was APCs main selling point) compared to the one on the APC. And you get an inexpensive 8x8 monome for the masses that also works as an Automap controller that works with other hosts and third party plugins.

Plus Launchpad is sexy. It takes up very little space and gets around easily due to being fit and bus-powered. The APC40 is a prematurely aged controller with a beer gut going through a mid-life crisis because it tried to be too many things at once.

[zalo]

whats an APC?

[heavensdaw]

whats an APC?

Antiquated Piece of C....!

Hd

[Earwax69]

Apc is way better looking but I'll get the launchpääd because its cheap and I already have a nanoset.

Still the launchpäääääd is quite ugly, wish they'd made a better design

[Obvious Alias]

My only regret with the APC is that I didn't buy it sooner.

[Furland]

What's not to like about them both! Buy them together! Just make a calculation on how much less beer and pizza you need to consume for the next months to come and purchase both, that way you get the best of both gadgets AND a healthier lifestyle to boot!

They serve the same purpose but in two slightly different ways. I could get used to both as it's just technology in it's different forms.

New Vanilla Ice lyrics; "My APC is happy with me and I with She, but I must see how to get an El Pee...." (I am so NOT an aspiring Rap artist!)

[Hermanus]

The only strong idea that comes in my mind is as following:

The launchpad could kill the monome 64 _not the 256 though or maybe by merging 4units

Seriously,
monome64 = 500$
vs
Launchpad = 199$

ROFL

the two-fifty-six reaches 1400$

[concept_control]

What with the horror induced by Novation's Automap, I won't be trading in the APC any day soon. Overly complicated, poorly documented pain in the arse.

[ollyb303]

The launchpad is mostly going to appeal to people who already have other controllers and mostly just needed the clip launching grid (which at 8x8 is more useful than the APC's 8x5 grid). Hence the massive cost differential. If you don't have other controllers such as Nanopads, Sl Zero II, BCF2000s, Faderfoxes etc, then the APC is the best choice. Many Live users do have other controllers and thus shelling out 399 bucks for the APC is not cost effective compared to the Launchpad.

Exactly that. Yes.

[Tone Deft]

The launchpad is mostly going to appeal to people who already have other controllers and mostly just needed the clip launching grid (which at 8x8 is more useful than the APC's 8x5 grid). Hence the massive cost differential. If you don't have other controllers such as Nanopads, Sl Zero II, BCF2000s, Faderfoxes etc, then the APC is the best choice. Many Live users do have other controllers and thus shelling out 399 bucks for the APC is not cost effective compared to the Launchpad.

Exactly that. Yes.

kinda.

I have other controllers. the APC knocked out the SL25. the Launch Pad appeals to me the same way the monome did, USB powered box to run tweaked out stuff on Live. none of them can touch the BCR, that things stays front and center.

the massive cost differential also has to do with Akai, look how they shafted the EU with the price where Novation kept it even.

if you're a luddite that hates technology you won't like the Launch Pad, you have to keep track of which buttons do what in each mode. then there's all the max4Live patches that come out. luddites won't be buying that so they won't get the most out the LP. if you like techshit it will appeal to you.


Novation did get weird with automap. I never really jumped on the upgrade bandwagon, the old school original automap works fine. I never really did like those LCD displays, they're too small, the abbreviations were annoying.


I don't see what the fuss is all about. it's $200 FFS. even in college I could swing $200 over a few months. the APC is more costly but it's a great master controller, not for detailed work.

APC + LP + BCR + MPK = win

[delicioso]

What with the horror induced by Novation's Automap, I won't be trading in the APC any day soon. Overly complicated, poorly documented pain in the arse.

People who talk crap about Novation Automap just don't know how to rock it. Automap is simply far superior to anything else when it comes to plugin and MIDI controls.

APC40 is an epic FAIL in this area. Beyond the obvious clip controls/scene selection and Live devices, it's not anywhere close to being an ideal choice for plugin or MIDI control. Messy configuration, limited number of parameters that can be assigned, can't assign buttons to device parameters without overriding their default use...etc. For example, try changing some buttons on the APC40 as momentary switches. That's what I thought.

[Tone Deft]

What with the horror induced by Novation's Automap, I won't be trading in the APC any day soon. Overly complicated, poorly documented pain in the arse.

People who talk crap about Novation Automap just don't know how to rock it. Automap is simply far superior to anything else when it comes to plugin and MIDI controls.

APC40 is an epic FAIL in this area. Beyond the obvious clip controls/scene selection and Live devices, it's not anywhere close to being an ideal choice for plugin or MIDI control. Messy configuration, limited number of parameters that can be assigned, can't assign buttons to device parameters without overriding their default use...etc. For example, try changing some buttons on the APC40 as momentary switches. That's what I thought.

automap is a disaster. wtf is the automap server? why do I need it? that opaque bullshit? get that shit off the screen. read some threads on automap with Live, you'll see. I live with it because I kept it simple. read some Glitchrock Buddha posts on the subject.

the APC is a general studio controller, you're not getting it. I agree it's not for VST control, it's for global control. I take it you don't have one. you can change the buttons to momentary.

you need to read up on what you're ranting about.

[wildcon]

the APC is a general studio controller

I came very close to buying one for this reason plus its much more hands on
for firing clips than my Faderfox for live work.

However, I would have got one if the faders had been motorised making it a
true studio controller. That was a breaker for me.

I'm deffo getting the launchpad and am pretty happy that I didn't get the APC
especially with the UK pricing!!!

[Illum]

Tone, is there a faster way to implement momentary behavior aside from the obvious (max, bomes, etc)?

Is there a min/ max ratio I'm missing in midi map screen or something?

[delicioso]

I agree it's not for VST control, it's for global control. I take it you don't have one. you can change the buttons to momentary.

I get to play around with my friend's APC40 and it's not possible to do that without cumbersome hacks since it does not have a template editor.

As for Automap, I honestly don't understand how people constantly complain about the problems with the Automap software. It should take no more than 5 minutes to install and update the OS and about 2 minutes to wrap the plugins. Automap 3 is nowhere near as buggy for me as previous versions.

Far from a disaster, Automap is superior than any other controller surface because it gives me plugin specific controls with practically limitless pages of custom controls, it has 16 channels of custom MIDI maps, all designed to do whatever I want, quickly change between all the maps with couple of button strokes, easily customizable GUI that gives me instant information as to what is going on on the controller...etc.