MOUSE for ableton? or do u use TRACKBALL or GRAPHICS TABLET?

[Slapdash]

I've been using an apple Magic Mouse, and I hate it. Selling it tomorrow. Damn thing keeps making my hand cramp, running out of batteries, and accidentally scrolling through my clips.

Can anyone recommend a good mouse to use with Ableton? Do any of you use a particular mouse that works well with Ableton, for instance, because it has some buttons you've assigned that come in handy? I'd prefer a bluetooth because I'm running out of USB space (only so many hubs i can use).

Alternatively, do any of you use a trackball or graphics tablet instead?
I'm thinking that for sat producing, the graphics tablet could give excellent accuracy and speed, but if I'm jamming with my apc40, it might be awkward to be triggering clips on the apc40 then having to quickly pick up a pen.

Thanks in advance.

[j.peeba]

I wouldn't recommend a tablet for a program like Live. To me, they are not very good for interacting with GUIs that are filled with small clickable buttons. For precision clicking, a mouse or a trackball can't be beat. If you're gonna do some stroking( ) type of work, there the tablets are at their best. FWIW, I use tablets almost every day at work and at home but only in Photoshop, Mudbox, ZBrush and such.

I do a lot of stroking.

[rosti]

I had logitech trackball but didin't like it much. In my opinion regular mouse is more fast and accurate.

[gp23]

I use both a Wacom tablet and a trackball with Live. I gave up using a mouse a couple of years ago because of RSI. I personally find the tablet to be far quicker and more accurate in Live than I ever did with a mouse. Like any alternative input method, even a mouse at first, it takes a while to adjust to the point where you no longer have to think about using it. But if you have no problem using a mouse, then there is probably little point in taking time to adapt to something else. And a downside to tablets is that they can take up quite a lot of desk space.

[Slapdash]

Well, I have been getting problems with my hand aching recently after long live sessions, so I'm trying to NOT use a mouse. I've borrowed a Kensington Orbit last night to try. It seemed quite easy to use, and comfortable. Very tactile. However, the lack of a scroll wheel for web browsing was horrible, so i might get a Kensington ExpertMouse. It has 4 assignable buttons (useful for Live), and a scroll wheel.

I love the idea of a tablet, it looks very fast and intuitive to use, but i imagine that when i'm rushing my hands between my apc40, my little 1 octave keyboard and my MPD18, it would be awkward to have to pick up a pen to use the tablet....oh...and they're expensive.

[rosti]

Oh, and the logitech trackball gathered amazing amounts of dirt and dust inside it. After a while movement of the ball got sticky and inaccurate. There wasn't any quick way to clean it without using tools :/

[gp23]

Yes, the Kensington Expert Mouse is the one I have. I had the Orbit before that, and like you I missed the scroll wheel. The Expert is vastly superior in every way to the Orbit. But I still found I had wrist pain with that, so I moved to a tablet, although I still use the trackball occasionally. They do acquire gunk but I just keep a little paintbrush handy to clean the rollers now and then.

Wacom tablets can be expensive, but the Bamboo ones seem reasonable. I found a lightly used A5 Wide Intuos on Ebay for a very good price, and it was worth every penny even though it does take up most of my desk! I've never really had a problem with picking up the pen between doing other things, but I am generally more screen-oriented and don't use peripheral gear so much. Perhaps try and pick up a cheap older Wacom like a Graphire on Ebay to see if you get on with it.

[0815]

I like a very fat mouse to control Live. On stage I even use a fat LED mouse because my crowd loves flashing and blinking a lot. (Both with scroll wheel)

Since I'm a tall one with big hands, all this new little toys only make my hand hurt.
The best mouses for handling came with my Atari ST and C= Amiga 2000.

I use a pen mouse combo tablet by wacom but only for graphics. I do not use it with Live, because it just does not feel right for me.

Try as much as you can...

[BongoBennie]

I program lighting desks, and have been using trackballs every since, Im a big fan of them, generally, the heavier the ball (think centipede), the better.... I have recommended them for years, but most people never give them a chance. They are especially handy if you don't have much desk space to use as you don't need the room that a mouse needs.... The only drawback is you don't get the nifty scroll features of things like the mighty mouse, etc. I DO wish that apple or someone else would make a USB trackpad though, just like the one built into the laptops.

[rosti]

I DO wish that apple or someone else would make a USB trackpad though, just like the one built into the laptops.

http://www.wacom.com/bamboo/bamboo_touch.php

[Deccan]

whats so bad about a laser mouse. Wouldn't a Wacom just end up hurting your wrist after a few hours???

UNLESS***111!!!!


you can use it as an XY controller...in that case I will buy one immediately!

and on that note!

anyone know how i can make a *cheap* kaos pad...? ...possibly using a wacom?!

[rosti]

^ http://forum.ableton.com/viewtopic.php?t=45798

[yur2die4]

Have the users of tablets been taking advantage of the option to use Relative mode on Live?? I've tried both ways, using pen. It is fun drawing in midi. Some of the drag action is just really awkward haha. The praising of the trackballs has really got me interested!

[Rob Rogers]

I second the rec for the Marble Mouse.
I have 5 of them and they're the best trackball for my hand (smaller and slimmer than most other trackballs). The larger trackballs give me RSI, but this one actually stops it. The slimness also helps for space - easier to stack on a keyboard/mixer/rack/whatever. The newer versions have 4 buttons, and they're super easy to clean - just "pinch" the ball and it pops into your hand for a quick wipedown of the ball, and the guides/sensor are right there for a swipe with a finger. I've cleaned it in the middle of music playing during a set - less than 2 secs from "it feels kinda glitchy" to "ahhhh".
It's been in production for many years, unchanged but for the addition of the 2 (small) extra buttons. IMO a sign they got it mostly right the first time.
I also use a Wacom tablet, but not for music - takes up space that IMO could be better used for other controllers. The Bamboo has me interested though - more like a small touchpad.

P.S. Also very fond of the Contour Shuttle devices, though they're not usable as a mouse.

I've been using trackballs for years now, never failed me. My current one, Logitech trackball marble, has lasted for years now without any issues what so ever. Its my experience that the trackball is actually more precise than a mouse has ever been for me. And the other big advantage, naturally, is that you don't need a lot of space.

The only thing to keep in mind is to clean it every now and then, I take the ball out and remove dust every 3 months or so. Its not that it becomes less responsive or anything, you simply feel that the ball gets a little more friction when moving it.

But since they're so robust they literally last for years.

[Slapdash]

Well, I've opted for the Kensington Expertmouse. It's big and fat, which feels comfortable to use. Sometimes I feel like it lacks the accuracy of a mouse, though. I'm going to assign the top 2 buttons so that they are the record and stop buttons. This way, i can hold the thing in my hand and trigger record from a standing position at the mic (I rap).

I wanted a graphics tablet, as i reckon it would be brilliant for writing notes onto midi grids, but those things are pricey.