Ableton Forum

There seem to be a lot of affordable midi controllers that specialize in faders surfacing that will control live. How about a controller that can trigger the differnent tracks and scenes? I'm guessing the Oxygen 8 can do something like that but the using a keyboard interface doesn't really appeal to me. Has anyone tried the Akai MPD16 seems to be an option, allthough that inteface doesn't quite appeal to me either (i prefer buttons, not pads). Anyone using anything in the affordable range?

Well, I am using a MPC 2000XL for that purpose, so the pad board would presumably do just as well.

I've been investigating into special purpose PC USB keyboards - there are plenty for commercial applications about, and bar cash register onesin particular would make fine controllers. I've seen a neat one with 100 keys in a square 10x10 matrix. But so far I haven't found a dealer who would sell me one without the entire cash register bundle...

Sevo

You can use the Akai pads, 16 pads as triggers.

Though the mpD16 is a little overkill as you don't really need the velocity sensitiveness etc for Live ...

I've been investigating into special purpose PC USB keyboards - there are plenty for commercial applications about, and bar cash register onesin particular would make fine controllers. I've seen a neat one with 100 keys in a square 10x10 matrix. But so far I haven't found a dealer who would sell me one without the entire cash register bundle...

Well, I think YMouse keyboards are "solo" available .... I've often met people of that brand on various audio related forums (think even here at the release of Live 1.0 I've posted a similar thread - lemme check - http://www.ableton.com/forum/viewtopic. ... lternative ) ...hope this helps

I use a pc1600x and it has buttons and faders so I use it the most. I also have a emu launch pad which has strange 909/computer type keys, some buttons and a few faders. The oxygene 8 is nice and cheap but I agree that using keys instead of buttons can be weird (my oxgene 8 has tape all over so I can label keys for clips and scenes). You can buy a very cheap usb number keypad at most computer shops (I believe Targas makes one for about 10 bucks) and that would give you some extra keys to bang on for cheap. As for prices the akai pad thing seems a bit steep and the velocity sensitivity won't make a difference for triggering clips but it has a nice feel to it. You can pick up a launchpad for pretty cheap so check out ebay, I know of some used gear shops in NYC that have them so you can email me if you want more info.

Sorry that should be targus and not targas, here is the link to the usb number pad:
http://www.targus.com/product_details.asp?sku=PAUK001U
unfortunately the new version is a calculator as well which makes it bigger and more expensive so look for the old one.

Strange Hybrid this is : http://www.prodikeys.com/

Yeah, this has been discussed before. The BIG problem is the number of keys available for triggering and the lack of control for keyboard events. What we ALL need as a hardware matrix that outputs MIDI (not keyboard messages). I've never seen such a thing.

I've been using a midi foot controller like the Roland FC200 (which is over priced) I'm using the Behringer model that is very similar but has an extra expression pedal on it. Since I play percussion (congas, timbales, etc.) with a live band, I needed a way to trigger loops without my hands. These midi foot controllers rule for just that reason. Mine has ten different pedal buttons on it, and I can change what midi info they send in different banks. Then I use one epression pedal to control effects, and the other to control master volume. So I can program the right loop triggers into the right buttons, and do mulitiple song setups in different banks. I can do a whole set with my left foot! And once v2.0 comes out, I can tap the tempo with my foot to keep it perfectly synched with my band. All this while keeping the hands free to program drums in Reason or play live drums.

These pedals are intended for guitar use, but I have found the buttons on them to be way better that a keyboard to trigger loops. For other applications, you could use the foot controller to control live, with a keyboard to control virtual instruments, and do a one man band thing pretty easily.

dkimball

My bad, I forgot to mention that the foot controller I'm using costs only 130 US. Way cheaper that most controllers out there.

dkimball