the BEST Ableton Live MIDI Controller?!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.ย. 2024
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New MIDI CONTROLLER FROM AKAI! How does it compare to things like the Launchpad or APC40? Let's talk about it!
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Hi! My name is TAETRO. thanks for reading to the bottom of this page. i love making music, being creative and also helping other people make music and be creative. you can consider me your electronic music mentor. if you want to support this channel, many of the above links are affiliate links which means you can purchase gear or software at no additional cost and i will get a commission :) even just liking the video and subscribing to the channel helps a ton. thanks for watching the video!
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I have used Logic for years and avoided Ableton because I just didn't understand it. I'm old enough to have started my recording life with four track cassette recorders and have stayed in the same mentality most of my life. I just bought this and Ableton because of your great videos and am hella stoked! Thanks sib for all you work!
Completely agree with you on the "More controllers need this Fixed length feature!" I am a guitarist and an Ableton user and ideally don't want to have a looper on my pedal board when I have Ableton which is much more advanced anyway, but also I don't need to buy a Push just for that, so the APC64 is a much better option now. Thanks for the video!
it is, in my opinion, an ESSENTIAL feature!!
Idk why it’s so hard to find a feature by feature comparison of the APC 64 and the Launchpad Pro mk3. This video is Akai focused, which is fine. It’s still the closest I’ve found to that comparison, even if it’s just a mention 23 minutes in. Are the Push comparisons just recency bias? Have people forgotten about the Launchpad Pro? Hm.
Been fighting between this and a used Push 2 for ages but since they're around the same price in the UK, think I'll go with the Akai for peace of mind with the warranty as it has plenty for my filthy casual usage! Video was a big help, thanks for the deep dive!
push is not comparable to any other controller, it is made by ableton, the integration and long term support and updates are close to none.
push is way better.
@@JohnSmith-pn2vl No CV out though.
its a no brainer. the push 2 is miles better.
Push2 is a better buy ❤
This is tempting but nah. So glad I copped the MK2 before it all went nuts. Thinking of adding a second if prices ever cool off.
I think Akai made a huge error in looking at the APC64 as a replacement to the APC40mk2. Once that 64 got announced the APC40mk2 was discontinued and either removed or bought out from every marketplace and are being price gauged (if you can find one that is). The 64 is ok, but it most certainly is NOT a replacment. On the tin foil hat side, part of me hopes there is an APC40mk3 waiting in the wings. APC64 touch strips = gross, no rotary encoders=fail. Like i already have a PUSH, with an APC40 its a force multiplier. Why would i want to by a 64? Doesn't make sense. and what else doesn't make sense is that the 40 was really popular and they just killed it. very strange, thats what makes me think and hope there is a mk3 waiting in the background. Just my opinon, Thanks for the vid!
The fixed length for audio is the one reason why I’d consider this controller. Unfortunately the touch strips in place of faders and encoders really mess it up for using it in live mixing situations. Like if you want to do a live set with this where you need to manage volume and EQ between tracks, that’s just not viable.
Everyone, I just got the APC 64 based on many of the videos done by Taetro. However, I'm running into a problem: I can't get the Step Sequencer to RUN, when the device is in Ableton Live mode. It all works as demoed when I put APC 64 into Standalone mode, but then I lose the ability to trigger Live clips etc. Any idea what I might be doing wrong?
There’s a £100/$100 difference between the APC64 & an Arturia keylab mkii 61…
…there’s a lot to consider, but I have to ask myself: I’ve space for either, but not both, which one is going to allow greater expressiveness during studio recordings and live performances?
Hey Taetro - love the dedication to controllerism, your reviews are always very helpful for making a choice. Specific question for you. As you mentioned, because the Launchpad uses the pads as parameter control, you have to work linearly aka: record stuff > switch to device parameters etc. Looks like the AKAI has a nice way of exposing more options than the Launchpad, even if some of the button placements are less elegant. I'm curious, would you say from your time using both there is a clear difference in either the LPP/APC in keeping you away from using the mouse, or are they equally capable? With a lot of overlap in capability, that feature alone could be a decisive factor. Also completely agree on MIDI pairings. You could go a long way in Ableton with one of these and an Arturia Minilab MK3, with those faders & encoders.
Hey Steve thank you for the comment!
Navigating around the project is much easier with the APC thanks to that one encorder + touch strips. I'll grab the mouse a lot more when using the LPP because navigating around through pages and remembering what each LED display means is just a step to far for me. APC wins in that regard.
@@Taetro hey, that is very helpful. I have been looking for a Push style interface, but I'm not quite sold on the Push. Not because Push isn't amazing, but I need to move my setup around in the house, which means an element of portability and toughness is useful. So this might be the ticket as a centrepiece DAW controller for initial ideas and note entry, as it packs in enough features and options without breaking the bank. Leaning towards picking one up!
I think for me the lack of a dedicated capture midi button and device on/off button make it a no go for me. I really like it and it seems near perfect for what I want but I use those two buttons far too much to do without um lol. 😂
Hey Kara, agreed - I wonder if you were to have something like a Launchkey Mini which has a capture button alongside. Not ideal but might work?
@steved4714 Interesting enough I had the launchkey mini for a long time and sized up to the 37 key. I also have the APC40MK2. but I'm thinking of grabbing a push 2 now as I've looked at it for a long time and it seems to tick all the boxes
@@karacoldmusic Same! I got the 49 and it's really nice. I have also considered Push 2 as I don't really have much interest in MPE or a soundcard. My only worry is buying used (google "used push 2 advice" and you'll see what I mean.) Since the P2 still costs in many cases more than the APC, that feels risky to me but I am wary of being burned there, others see this differently! My other thinking is as Taetro says, to combine controllers. I like the look of APC64 x Minilab3 combo. This gives you 64 pads, 8 touch faders, 25 keys, 8 knobs, 4 real faders, encoders & little screens which would be a lot of power for what are both supposed to be budget/mid range devices. You could also switch out the the APC64 for the Launchpad Pro, which loses you the touch strips but that way you get 2 devices for the same price as the APC, but I feel these options would be about as mouse-less as you could get outside a Push. Choices, choices!
That’s so strange that they don’t have a capture midi button on here!!!!
@@Khordmaster Right! I feel like people use the feature so much...at least I know I do
Can you explain the Note mode "Layout" options? Manual says ... " determine how notes are laid out on the 8x8 pad grid:
Separate Rows by 3rd
Separate Rows by 5th
Separate Rows by 7th
Separate Rows by 4th
Separate Rows by 6th
Separate Rows by Octave."
I believe the default settings is "Separate Rows by 5th". What does this actually mean, lol? Thanks in advance and great channel!
Sure! So Row 1 bottom left pad will be your Root note of the scale. The various options determine how your notes are arranged from there.
This provides different ergonomics for playing melodies and chords. I use 4ths mode - this is kind of standard on Push and other grids. It makes for a nice triangle shape when playing chords.
If you want to experiment with modes - try switching between them and look how the arrangement of notes change. It will always be the same notes of the scale, but how they are arranged in rows changes.
I hope that makes sense!!
Push 2/3 with the akai APC 40mk2 is a great combo.. Nothing beats the push 2 or 3 for controlling ableton.
The APC 40 mk2 is not for really just for dj’s just beacuse it has a cross fader. It’s great for playing live and jamming with Ableton, faders for the track levels and tweaking fx etc. this frees up the push for notes and clip editing on the fly
Awesome video. This is a very interesting controller and a great cheaper competitor to the push3 controller (not standalone).
Thanks for the skillshare promotion! I am a front end software developer and recently laid off with many other devs on my team. Looking to use skillshare to help fill in some the gaps with ux/ui design in Figma.
Thanks for the content!
definitely a prime alternative for folks who don't care about standalone!! I'm also glad to hear you were able to take advantage of the skillshare offer.
Good luck in the job search!! I'm sure you'll find something soon!
@@Taetro thanks!
Hey big fan of your vids. I'm really curious about this controller. I want something that gets me off the screen more often for composing song ideas and would love something that connects my large arsenal of CV/modular gear and ableton recording... I.E. something I can compose simple arrangements quickly sent to CV. This seems like the ticket.
I'm not sure if the Push 2 or 3 are worth it for me as I don't love Ableton's workflow in itself. But that being said I'm not sure if a Push would help me jive with the workflow of beat making all in Ableton or not. Thoughts?
Good Morning Taetro, Thanks for your videos . Can the Chords and Notes modes be used with an external synthesizer?
Yes you can!
Skillshare is wonderful as well as
your content!
the push 2 is the same price at guitar center, im thinking I might go with the push but you didnt really give it much thought in the video besides the stand alone functionality of the push 3, what would your recommendation be?
push is bigger and bulkier but has a bigger screen, bigger pads, and the step sequencer is integrated (no need to "send to clip")
one knock on push is you need to power it on wall power or it will be very faint.
consider the difference and pick what you think is best!
@Taetro the Push 2 needs wall power or the Push 3 or both? Also looking into a Push 2
Sorry you lost me at the touch strips. I'm good with the Push 2...
Hey man, big fan! I can choose between a push 2 and the APC 64, want to use it as a grid controller for playing notes and chords, and use the step sequencer. What is the better tool for that, thanks!
i hope you took the push 2
I don't know what they were thinking; Novation's SL line has ACTUAL faders, in a clearly ordered layout.
how come it doesn't have a reasonably sizedscreen in order to allow enough visual feedback for comfortable improvisation?
you should watch the video. the screen even though it's small, does just enough IMO.
also it's not a great comparison (this vs the SL)
I've just bought an apc64, using it with ableton and it feels like there's a nearly a full second delay between hitting a pad and hearing the sound. Particularly noticeable on drum tracks where my finger has left the pad before i hear the drum hit. I selected reduced latency when monitoring, but it's not helping...do you have any trouble shooting tips?
Any thoughts on Yaeltex? What do you think of their LIVE 15?
I haven't had a chance to try any of their gear! !
greeaeeet video thank you VRY MUCH!
Hey Taetro! Question for you on this (and apologies if you already answered this in the video…still watching). I ordered one of these a couple days ago and it showed up and it’s pretty cool. Somehow I managed to get it stuck on a single track in one of my Ableton projects though, and not able to control any of the others. It would show it’s set for another, but if I hit a note pad, it would be the other track. Have you run into this, and if so how did you fix that?
Edit: this was a couple days ago so I was having issues remembering how I got to that state, but I remember it was after messing with the step sequencer.
sometimes this can happen if you 'hard arm' a track meaning instead of a faint red arm button, you have bright red. The APC wants to automatically arm the selected track. if you instead use the ARM buttons and "hard arm" a track, if will over-ride this feature, and simply selecting a track will no longer arm it.
perhaps this is what you encountered!
Is the low profile the only benefit of touch strips? Because if so, it doesn't seem like the trade off is worth it. Anything the touch strips can do that's functionally improved over faders?
i mean a physical fader will be in a fixed position - if you change the function of those faders, their position will be off from the current parameters. the touch strips with the LEDS react to whatever they're controlling.
at the end of the day if you like physical controls, touch strips may not be for you but can work great if you like them.
How is the pad sensitivity and pad size for finger drumming on the APC64 compared to the Launchpad Pro and Push 2 / 3?
on par with launchpadpro - Push pads are just bigger so bigger is better AND push 3 pads are number 1 for sensitivity right now IMO
@@Taetro Thank you for your opinion.
Can you compare to Launchpad pro?
Ayy this is very useful for me
Glad I could help!
i really want a launchkey mini mk3
can't go wrong with that keyboard!
Was my first one and I got it because of this channel. It's absolutely worth the money and such a great starting place!
What about akai mpk249
@@Vasudeva777 nah go with arturia minilab 3 or m audio oxygen pro mini
I'll just stick to my Alesis..
Thanks for review and guides. I'm curious about APC Mini MK2 , how bad/decent note input based on scale 1-10 ? Which one you prefer ? Novation Mini or that one?
I've seen some video about that controller which works and auto mapped for use in resolume and that will be bonus for me personally
out of 10...
the apc mini has a by 4ths note mode, so I'd give it a 2 and the launchpad mini a 1. they're both bad for note input.
launchpad pro also has fixed length record
yes! that is mentioned later in the video
sad the APC64 has no crossfader :(
do you use the crossfader for a traditional deck a/b setup in ableton live?
@@Taetro I like to use it for reference track as an example, so yes for A/B it's very nice
Wouldn’t a used push 1 be better than this?
Push
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Lowest rated controller by most
It’s not perfect but it’s good for structuring your song and playing live sessions , I am finishing tracks too where before I was just clicking the mouse where this is more tactical fun