Ableton Forum

I'm currently using a borrowed korg padkontrol in Ableton. However my friend wants it back so i'm gonna have to buy my own midi controller now. I'm kinda leaning towards the launchpad cus when using the padkontrol i always find myself running out of pads. Before i dish out some money on equipment i don't know very much about i thought i'd ask you guys for some advice. What midi controller do you guys think is best and why? Is the APC 40 worth all the extra cash?

If you own other midi controllers with rotaries, sliders etc...I'd go for the launchpad as an add-on to your existing kit.

If this is your first controller and you'd like to launch clips in session view and also tweak Lives parameters get an APC (20/40)

If you want both pads and tweakables but like more pads, get a Launchpad and maybe the korg nano kontroler or simmilar.

Bear in mind though that of all the above the APC range need to be powered whereas the Launchpad etc are usb powered.

Also, think of how many usb ports you have if your going down the multiple route.


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Who knows, AKAI may one day release a one stop piece of kit with transport, velocity sensitive drum pads, clip launch pads, sliders, rotaries etc... Would be mains powered but only one usb and a nice compact foot-print.

Id sell all my gear for that sucker as I'm using two powered usb hubs at present!

it depends on what you're using it for, for finger drumming, you should absolutely go for a velocity sensitive controller like the padcontrol, akai mpd line, etc... if you are going to be using it primarily to launch clips, you should go for a Launchpad (or APC) I use the previously suggested setup (Launchpad + Nanokontrol) and with the myr remote script I have a lot of the functionality of the launchpad, but with a smaller footprint and usb bus power. I think it's great, but it really will all come down to personal preferences in the end. My personal vote though is for the Launchpad/Nanokontrol combo.

Same

I have no use for the launchpad because I use the padkontrol for drum playing. On this front, its much better than the launchpad or akai siblings. But if you intend to trig some clips with it, go for the launchpad.

...Could always cheaply add an AKAI LPD8 or two to the Launchpad/Nano set-up if you have a hankering for some velo-sensitive drumming in the future...

Thanks for advice. finger drumming is not really what i would be using it for, mainly just launching clips and that, so i guess launchpad + nanokontrol it is!

a wise choice. bookmark this page http://post.monome.org/comments.php?DiscussionID=5510
you will want this script when you get your nanokontrol, just follow the set up instructions and your nanokontrol will become 1,000 more useful to you.