APC40 vs Novation Launch Pad

[Disko]

Looks like the Novation will be out next week from what I can see. For those of you that use Ableton live for DJ'ing and producing, which one would you get?

The novation is half the price but almost half the controller too. no knobs or faders but more pads. i think the launch pad is a bit overkill on the pads but the way they designed it with panning and volume and sends, a person may be able to make use of all of them.

APC40
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Akai-Professional-APC40-Ableton-Performance-Controller-105305353-i1437919.gc

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Launch Pad
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Novation-LAUNCHPAD-CONTROL-SURFACE-FOR-ABLETON-LIVE-105642664-i1476609.gc


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[DMinus]

kinda hard to vote in a poll when none of us has ever used or seen the launchpad IRL.

[Disko]

thats what the vids and links are for. you can get a pretty good idea. there are other ones of the novation in the 'related' listing on youtube that are more basic walk throughs of what it does.

[dave]

kinda hard to vote in a poll when none of us has ever used or seen the launchpad IRL.


that seems really reasonable....

[Erik Mitchell]

APC40, I need knobs lol

[Hazefire]

APC40, I need knobs lol

same. i dunno wtf id do without knobs to twiddle

[Brandon]

K.. so I just got an APC24 (didn't see a need to pay more for shit I don't need) and my partner has a Launch Pad. I find myself using the knobs and sliders less than I use the pads... but it's nice to have them. He's all about the pads, but lately, so am I.

[Hazefire]

K.. so I just got an APC24 (didn't see a need to pay more for shit I don't need) and my partner has a Launch Pad. I find myself using the knobs and sliders less than I use the pads... but it's nice to have them. He's all about the pads, but lately, so am I.

what is this apc24 of which you speak? you mean the mpd24? :confused:

[Daver]

2 different things, weak poll imo. That being said im getting the launch pad. Its functionality in conjunction with max for live will be indispensable.

[Brandon]

what is this apc24 of which you speak? you mean the mpd24? :confused:
whoops Yup. I was going to get the APC40, but honestly, that's WAY more shit than I need on a controller.

[Disko]

whoops Yup. I was going to get the APC40, but honestly, that's WAY more shit than I need on a controller.

really? i was happy that they finally made a controller to do everything i want.

[Brandon]

I just don't have the patience to assign all those knobs and buttons.

[superchibisan]

racks man, racks. thats all you need with an apc40

imo, it is not a contest or a vs. the apc40 does WAY more than the novation. both are sweet and i'll be getting a launchpad to go WITH my apc40

[Wreck]

Learn to play like the guy on the launch pad, then get the APC40.

Lol

[Disko]

besides Cardinal, has anyone here used or have an APC40?

i saw someone using one at Sutra once but he didnt do a whole hell of a lot with it. just launched a scene every once in a while.

[superchibisan]

i have one.

[Hazefire]

I know FSP played with one at their basslab gig in the bpl. Sounded like they made pretty good use of it, but I can't say I was really paying attention to the technical aspects of their set...

[rolfmonster]

the only problem I can see with the launchpad is the "layer" issue. hopefully this will make sense, the launchpad, you have to switch between the different layers, to control faders etc... I could see this not being a problem during a mixset playing through live, but if you're really into getting down with some live stuff or gigging out trying out different ideas.. I think the apc40 might be a smidge better, solely because of the knobs/sliders/etc.

case in point, I have a hard time seeing this done on a launch pad as easily, without having to customize the presets... FYI the video gets deeper about 1/3 in

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[DMinus]

yeah frankly its not a either or - i think the launchpad is on my list to launch clips - and then i have other controllers for the rest of the tweakin.

[Disko]

yeah frankly its not a either or

odd. for me it is. and for this reason...



to launch clips


more or less thats all these 2 controllers are good for. you dont get the apc40 just for the knobs and faders because you can use anything for that.

whichever one of these i end up with will be the most hands on piece of equipment i'll use. the heart or brain, however you want to phrase it. thats why i was on here looking for arguements on both sides.

[Disko]

the only problem I can see with the launchpad is the "layer" issue. hopefully this will make sense, the launchpad, you have to switch between the different layers, to control faders etc... I could see this not being a problem during a mixset playing through live, but if you're really into getting down with some live stuff or gigging out trying out different ideas.. I think the apc40 might be a smidge better, solely because of the knobs/sliders/etc.

case in point, I have a hard time seeing this done on a launch pad as easily, without having to customize the presets... FYI the video gets deeper about 1/3 in

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thats pretty sick. its like finger drumming. the way he was using the effects was pretty cool too. with the novation u would def have to have another controller with your effects set up on it.

[Disko]

just saw this video. has it set up like a monome.


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[107]

launch pad is cool cause it costs less.

[Brandon]

And THAT is the pre-programming that I just don't have the patience for. It's awesome and I'd love to be able to 'squarepush' (sic) but fuck man, I don't have the patience to sit down and assign all those pads and variables.

[rolfmonster]

And THAT is the pre-programming that I just don't have the patience for. It's awesome and I'd love to be able to 'squarepush' (sic) but fuck man, I don't have the patience to sit down and assign all those pads and variables.

pretty sure you dont have to, if you're working with .. sampler, or whatever the name of the sampler is, the buttons will align with the pads setup in sample, iirc.

[Disko]

yeah the samples should show up automatically.

the only thing you need to change is the launch action or play action whatever you want to call it of the button i bet. like if you want it to fire the clip and keep looping, or only play the clip when the button is being pushed down. but it shouldnt really take too long and i bet u only have to map it once and save it and you can use the mapping template for other sets.

[infuzion]

I played with the APC40 at Guitar Center yesterday. The build quality is very nice: knobs were steady & endless, sliders (though short) were firm enough not to be accidentally moved when reaching over but slid smooth when you wanted them to, XFader was very loose for the hop-hoppers (not like melted butter). The actual pads may be a problem; seems like if you don't hit them straight on with enough force, they won't trigger.