Ableton Forum

hi folks

im new here and i just bought ableton live 8 about a month ago. im comming from the MPC 2500 SE and i was search for something more flexible to produce with. so im on ableton now.
only things missing is a controller. i really love the mpc pads, it is amazing to play drums with or work out with different loops. so my first thought was to buy an mpd32 but then i saw the apc40. now i dont really dont know what to do. is the apc 40 much better to use with ableton than the mpd32? or is there an other opportunity, maybe use the apc20 + mpd18 together...

hope yall can help me out a little bit.

thanks

ps. im using an iMac

the apc buttons aren't velocity sensitive... they are intended for clip-launch...
and might be too small as well if you're accustomed to the mpc pads

I think the mpd18 is as simple as it gets..

the mpk 49 got the pads,knobs,faders,keys


or the mpd32

MPD 32 should be your weapon of choice.

With this remote control script you can use a lot of APC features and still have the Velocity sensitive pads plus enough faders and knobs for the start

Don't forget to improve your pads. Out of the box they are lousy. You can do it with tape or buy the upgrade kit.
There is also a vid for the upgrade kit. check youtube.

thanks for the replies

so u think the mpd32 will work out too as a newbie? is it very difficult to get down with the "remote control script" u linked in your post?

remote scripts will always take a little getting used to, but you should be able to pick it up pretty fast, just use sticky labels in the meantime if you're having problems remembering certain functions, and pull them off when it becomes intuitive.

The MPD 32 is a smooth controller for ableton even without the user remote script.

somebody was selling an apc40 in the for sale section the other day

do not buy a mpd 18 or a mpk keyboard if you want drumpads. the pads on these controllers are total crap. i guess the mpd 32 should be way better.

noland wrote: Don't forget to improve your pads. Out of the box they are lousy. You can do it with tape or buy the upgrade kit.
There is also a vid for the upgrade kit. check youtube.

all you need is a screwdriver and some tape. check the links!

grunzlaut wrote:do not buy a mpd 18 or a mpk keyboard if you want drumpads. the pads on these controllers are total crap. i guess the mpd 32 should be way better.

Pads on the MPD32 aren't so hot either (though not as bad as the ones on the MPK line)—big part of why I sold mine. It also accounts for the variety of aftermarket mods to improve the feel/sensitivity of the pads.

I like my Maschine (and the pads in particular are a great improvement over the MPD32) but it's in a different price range, and with the software component is really a different type of product altogether.

Although I hate M-Audio, the Trigger Finger might still be the best product in this range. Unfortunately there are no faders (unlike the MPD32), otherwise it's fairly comparable and should be cheaper. I've never used a Korg Padkontrol but it seems to be fairly well-liked as also.

But all of what I've described above has to do with using these devices as drum pads. For full on Live control, clip launching, etc. an APC40 or a Livid product might be more appropriate.

grunzlaut wrote:do not buy a mpd 18 or a mpk keyboard if you want drumpads. the pads on these controllers are total crap. i guess the mpd 32 should be way better.

I had a mpk49 - pads were crap
A friend has a mpd32 - pads dont work on the corners

The padkontrol pads work really well, but not enough knobs / no faders

I've got a trigger finger, not too bad, I think M-audio discontinued them though.

i have an apc40. and am planning to buy a mpd32 in the future. If I could start again i'd just get the mpd32. I've seen artists such as Baths and Nosaj Thing perform and their sets have always been much more exciting than any apc40 jam I've seen. I'll probably end up using both apc40 and mpd32 in the future but the apc40 isn't that great in a studio setting. great for performances. While the mpd32 is great all the way around.

and don't forget
apc40 = no velocity
mpd32 = velocity sensitive

thanks for the answers

i think im going to buy a mpd32 and fix the pads or buy new ones at mpcstuff. is it possible/does it make sense to use the mpd32 with n apc at the same time?