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I just got a nice lil bonus and was wondering what would be better the Akai apc 40 or Novation launch pad. I would use this to incorporate into a Dj set. I found the Akai apc 40 for the same price and the novation launch pad used so I don't know where to go. any thoughts?

APC40 is great, knobs and faders FTW. None of those with Launchpad, might want to consider that. It's lush

Launchpad / Nocturn combo is sick. But it will require 2 USB ports.

get the APC if you want to use the controller more than the mouse.

the get down wrote:get the APC if you want to use the controller more than the mouse.

what do you mean by this

I definitely like the APC b/c of the fact that the knobs auto-map to the selected device.

I have used it for DJ sets and production and have really been happy w/ my purchase.

which is the better option from a purely production point of view? i dont wanna mix with live, just make my own stuff...

A midi controller can really only be used during production if you are recording a track or parts of a track live. The Akai is going to be much better for things like that because it has faders and knobs. The lauchpad looks like its a great way to trigger things but that's about it.

APC 40 all the way ... build quality on the novation stuff is a bit too plastic for my liking.

SlizzardKing wrote:A midi controller can really only be used during production if you are recording a track or parts of a track live. The Akai is going to be much better for things like that because it has faders and knobs. The lauchpad looks like its a great way to trigger things but that's about it.

you sure? the launchpad seem to do a lot of other things, not just triggering clips... have you actually used one or are you just making an assumption?
the mixer mode etc all look very interesting

Neither of these controllers is really tailored toward production. These are both performance controllers IMO. The pads are not velocity sensitive on either machine, so you're going to be programming your dynamics manually. I'm picking up Ableton tonight or tomorrow (snowed in ) and will be using a keystudio (crappy, but it will hold me over until I get my SL MKII) and a padKontrol to get my loops and such recorded and then the APC40 for arrangement and jamming when my brother is around. IMO the Novation SL MKII controllers are the best production controllers around. Not too expensive, has all the controller types: knobs, sliders, xy pad, keys, and drum pads, plus transport some switches and a good keyboard, plus a display and the automap software that makes them so easy to setup.

But both controllers can really be set to do anything. They have their default settings in Ableton, but you can change the buttons and sliders to control anything MIDI can control, but the lack of velocity sensitive controls means it's actually going to be about the same as playing the notes off of your computer keyboard. Also, check out http://www.nativekontrol.com/ they have software and vids that do lots of different things with all types of controllers. http://www.youtube.com/user/Stray411 is the youtube channel showing all sorts of videos showing what kind of different things can be done with controllers. APC40 looks like a blast to tweak, I can't wait to get working with it.

Just my $.02

Elkie wrote:which is the better option from a purely production point of view? i dont wanna mix with live, just make my own stuff...

APC40, it does everything the Launchpad does plus knobs and faders. unless you have another midi controller dedicated to knobs and faders you're better off with the APC

I bought the Novation Launch pad instead. Just for shits and giggles to fuck around with. The APC 40 that the guy was selling was actaully $250 plus more stuff or 425. Funny it sells for 399 but was to expensive and I like what you can do with the launch pad.

Launch pad can do everything fron drum machine and looping, mixing, triggering its really fun.

pads are pretty sensitive for instance I can mix on it and the volume is a range of 8 pads. I just run my fingers across them and it lowers run them up and volume back up.

I can set 8 pads for a 3 eq and use that for equing while I am mixing.


Can't wait to see what I can do with some Djing with this

apc first

want a launchpad myself but it seems logically secondary

ive always made tracks in pieces then get bored organizing them and editing and re editing. the apc is great for making that process more of a fun flow than a chore.

the knobs and faders are an obvious bonus, the less done with a mouse the better.

999 wrote:apc first

want a launchpad myself but it seems logically secondary

ive always made tracks in pieces then get bored organizing them and editing and re editing. the apc is great for making that process more of a fun flow than a chore.

the knobs and faders are an obvious bonus, the less done with a mouse the better.

if im understanding you properly, this is exactly what im looking for too - something to use for arrangement, i dont want to be playing drum loops on it, and ive got a few knobs on my midi keyboard that i rarely ever use.

i always end up making a load of clips, then they stay as that. if i could arrange them in realtime instead of all the copy and pasting, i think it would be a huge improvement to my workflow!

cant really afford either at the minute though, argh!

someone should build a custom controller....

ya know?

the apc is just way too big to carry around... i only use these things live, mind you. the launchpad is versatile and awesome, just get a korg nanokontrol on the side for the faders/dials

Elkie wrote:

999 wrote:apc first

want a launchpad myself but it seems logically secondary

ive always made tracks in pieces then get bored organizing them and editing and re editing. the apc is great for making that process more of a fun flow than a chore.

the knobs and faders are an obvious bonus, the less done with a mouse the better.

if im understanding you properly, this is exactly what im looking for too - something to use for arrangement, i dont want to be playing drum loops on it, and ive got a few knobs on my midi keyboard that i rarely ever use.

i always end up making a load of clips, then they stay as that. if i could arrange them in realtime instead of all the copy and pasting, i think it would be a huge improvement to my workflow!

cant really afford either at the minute though, argh!

yeah exactly. get all my loops organized and can launch them and record in realtime. then can go back and overdub to rearrange or edit whatever i want. super logical and hands on, no more copy and pasting. instead of getting everything set up then being like dammit i have to map everything out now, i get to have fun and play. really a deam come true as far as how ive always worked.

Elkie wrote:

SlizzardKing wrote:A midi controller can really only be used during production if you are recording a track or parts of a track live. The Akai is going to be much better for things like that because it has faders and knobs. The lauchpad looks like its a great way to trigger things but that's about it.

you sure? the launchpad seem to do a lot of other things, not just triggering clips... have you actually used one or are you just making an assumption?
the mixer mode etc all look very interesting

No I haven't used one but based on what I have seen that was my assumption. It might be useful for much more but I probably wouldn't be interested because I like my faders and knobs:)

just picked up the launchpad... ill let you know how it goes!

cheers