Ableton Forum

Hey I'm brand new to this forum, and to producing as well. I am currently running Ableton 8 and have an MPKmini. I am starting to sample some things and am creating my own beats/riffs using the instrument packs that come with Ableton. I am looking to expand my setup, and was going to go pick up an APC40 today for $200 from a guy who had listed it on craigslist. I just wanted to make sure that this piece of equipment is the right thing for me, as I was also looking into the MPD32.

The stuff I am creating is very "Pretty Lights" esque, and I know that he uses and MPD32 in his live stuff. Because of already having the MPK (which has 8 pads and 2 banks, so essentially 16 pads) I thought it would make most sense to go purchase the APC40 because of it's more vast capabilities (mainly because of the extensive trigger functions).

Am I making the right purchase by going with the APC40? I'm on a tight budget, so it's really between one or the other.

Also, I plan on putting on some very small live performances in the future, but while also on the other hand I want to be able to improve the production of samples that I mix. If I'm not mistaken, the MPKmini (which I already own) has the same pressure-sensitive (5 level?) pads as the MPD series. If I still were to go with the APC40, would the MPK provide a vast enough functionality in order to program decent samples? (The MPKmini isn't pre-mapped with Ableton at all, I would just have to individually map the knobs and pads for each Live set.)

Prompt responses would be greatly appreciated, as I am supposed to go purchase the APC40 a couple hours from now.

-Thanks, Max

ShelLuser wrote:First: you can't compare an APC with a MPD, as you probably know yourself. I have both an APC40 as well as an MPD24 and wouldn't want to be left out on either one.


But I think your line of thinking is spot on (for what its worth). If you already have a few pads which you can use to make some good beats then I think diversity with the APC40 will get you more than another drumpad.

APC can be used in both the studio as well as on stage (though I'm not talking from experience on that mind you!) and IMO you can never go wrong with an APC, especially if your workflow involves around Ableton Live.

Another pro (IMO) is that it can help you get your hands away from the keyboard. You can more easily record clips and such, straight from the keyboard (the one which matters ). I could imagine that its very nice if you have a means to, say, start by recording a lead on your keyboard. Then stop, prepare, and continue by recording a beat using your pads. All without having to leave your keyboard.

That's the kind of stuff you can do with the APC40.

SO for what's it worth I think you can't go wrong here.

(unless your friend sells an APC40 which still has quite some smoke coming out of it, but that's a different story entirely ).

I greatly appreciate the extensive response. This definitely helped solidify my mental insecurity haha, I now feel much more confident about what I am soon to purchase (Leaving in an hour to go pick it up! ).

I agree with you in that the APC40 will give me more room to expand than, say, another drumpad. I also think that using it on stage will give me better room to perform more involved "live mixing" than something with only 16 pads.

Another pro (IMO) is that it can help you get your hands away from the keyboard. You can more easily record clips and such, straight from the keyboard (the one which matters ). I could imagine that its very nice if you have a means to, say, start by recording a lead on your keyboard. Then stop, prepare, and continue by recording a beat using your pads. All without having to leave your keyboard.

Sorry...I'm a little confused as to what you're saying here, can you reiterate?

Thanks again though ShelLuser, I'll let you know how all goes after I pick it up. Hopefully the condition will be "mint" as stated in the sellers post!