Ableton Forum

In the market, so convince me to be the amazing controller in your setup.

Maybe not what you are looking for:
Lemur

Midi controller for your tablet. You can create and program multiple templates/setups like having multiple controllers.
Downside for me is not having real knobs and faders.
For having more precision and feel I use some "real" controllers although I saw some knobs you could probably stick on your tablet.

Launchpad Pro S
Lot of options

I like the Novation remote (number of keys)sl mkii.

Displays parameters on the screen
Has great faders, endless endorsers, absolute encoders, lots of light up buttons, the keys are very nice.

I have a 25, but wish I had more keys.

The xy pad on it is near useless, and the drum pads aren't really too great for drumming.

Has automap also, which is a nice bonus but I hardly use it when the Control Surface mode generally covers my needs.

I use it to arm(arm selects)/mute channels, do mixer volume fading and control parameters mostly.

I also love the launchpad with lp95, Push (currently have a 1), the APC 40, and a Maschine. All of which are extremely versatile in their own ways.

apc40mk1, push 1 and a midi keyboard photonX25

The most difficult thing is that they all seem nearly exactly the same, but I am certain that they are not. Years ago, I used the M-Audio Axiom line, and liked it, but now there are so many other options that are not simply keyboard controllers. Although I want a keyboard, I'm very interested in some sort of Launchpad-type alternative as well.

scoopneck wrote:In the market, so convince me to be the amazing controller in your setup.

The original Push with PXT Live scripts, because this combo is very versatile, reasonably complete and now I know it. I record MIDI instruments from the pads, control VSTs, external gear and effects from the encoders, loop points, locators, recording, sequencing and so on. I think I'd like a (semi)weighted keyboard as well just because it's different. As I used to be a guitar player the Push is really fitting and I play pads with my left hand and control encoders and other controls with my right.

Push 2 here, tight integration and it just works for me. Feels great too, I like my tools to feel like solid instruments these days, cheap plastic drives me nuts.

Push 1. Hardly can be separated with it.

It just works for me as I do not need to use another power adapter. Its 80s "controlling soviet atomic missiles" display works fine on USB alone - which comes as a big bonus when you make most of your music in old-school hotel rooms where you have to detach the lamp on the table to get a power outlet for your laptop.

K

similar to Yur2, I have the Novation ReMoteSL - love the sliders and buttons but primarily 'cause the keys FEEL great. I played with several other brands and all felt like toys compared to the ReMote. I also dig the joystick as opposed to other brands usage of mod and pitch wheels

I've had a couple different versions of the Launchpad & feel they're primarily for stage use, not studio (which is all I do these days)
I also had a TriggerFinger2 recently and sold it. Again; if I were on stage, I would do cool things with it

peace

88 key synth, PC keyboard and trackball.

If I had to recommend just one controller...probably Push 2 for the reasons Tarakith said.

It's made for Ableton, and is a breeze to use. Build quality is insanely good. You can use it for writing, producing and mixing. All native Ableton synths and plugins and wonderfully integrated.

push2, novation launch control XL and launch control.
i need faders, and a lot of knobs.
both in the studio and on stage.

Novation ReMOTE 25SL
A whole lot of control in a small footprint, and (relativly) easy to program to your liking (no I don't mean Automap)
(And it was dirt cheap)

KeithMcMillan QuNeo
bougth as kind of 'Poor Man's Push'. Actually not really a Live Controller, but a really great, if somewhat finicky, musical instrument (more like 'Poor Man's Linnstrument')

Thanks for the replies, folks. I'm leaning towards a Akai MPK249 now...or maybe I should go with a less expensive keyboard and some sort of button-y/knob-y-only thing. Thoughts?