Anyone using the Akai APC 40?

[XAXAU]

I´m gonna switch over to live, or complementing my Cubase 5, and I´m liking the APC 40. Anyone using it here? How´s the build quality, functionality and so on...?

Cheers...

[Arcadia]

I got it to use with Live 8 and I love it! It's really solidly built and integrated perfectly. I find myself touching the mouse and keyboard far less. I love how the knobs can easily be mapped to any device in Live and just being able to launch clips, punch in/out, mute/solo all with hardware is great. Only thing I dont like is the crossfader. It gets in the way of the transport buttons and really wasn't necessary for studio use.

[jbuonacc]

never really thought about it before, but seeing as how the crossfader is user-replaceable couldn't you just remove it completely? i don't like the placement of it either and would probably never use it.

[feyshay]

I don't think it is overpriced (relatively to other controllers). Remember, the faders are not mechanized (but would expect that for the price).
Works pretty seemlessly and looks like it will have durability.
My beef about it is that the shift button should be much bigger as should buttons to shift tracks and scene. One of my other issues has to do with predictability of what plug-in parameters are assigned (and not being able to tell that). But configuring and assigning is very easy to do, so not that much of a complaint.
I think you may find that once you start working within Ableton, you'll be using Cubase less and less.

[XAXAU]

Sounds great. Think I´m picking one up tomorrow.

Why don´t you guys try and assign the crossfader to "morph" (they´re just crossfades, but still) between different FX or synths with zones (I think that´s what it´s called). That really made me excited when I watched the ASK Videos recently.

Using the crossfader for quick and creative fills? Morphing the synths in the breakdown? EQing the drumbus in the break? List goes on.

Are the faders "detented" at unity gain? You know what I mean right? If you touch faders it would be good to easily adjust them back to "zero".

Cheerio...

[Arcadia]

Faders are not detented, which brings up another gripe... when moving the faders you have to cross the "null" point before they become active.

[XAXAU]

Originally Posted by djpablo

Faders are not detented, which brings up another gripe... when moving the faders you have to cross the "null" point before they become active.

How do mean, null point? Going above the fader position? Fader at -1dB you have to go to -0,9dB for it to get active?

[chrismcg]

Originally Posted by feyshay

One of my other issues has to do with predictability of what plug-in parameters are assigned (and not being able to tell that).

You might find the pdf linked from here handy The Beatwise Network - Live Device Mapping Reference Guide

(The nativeKontrol stuff really adds to the live / apc40 experience too)

Cheers,

Chris

[DerWanderer]

Originally Posted by jbuonacc

never really thought about it before, but seeing as how the crossfader is user-replaceable couldn't you just remove it completely? i don't like the placement of it either and would probably never use it.

You can easily remove the fader via two screws on the back.

Also im glad to have a apc..but havn't gone to mod things heavily via boheme.

cheers

[jbuonacc]

Originally Posted by DerWanderer

You can easily remove the fader via two screws on the back.

glad to hear, thanks!

[Sofine]

Originally Posted by djpablo

Faders are not detented, which brings up another gripe... when moving the faders you have to cross the "null" point before they become active.

I am nearly sure that you can change this behaviour in live's preferences so that any movement of the APC40 fader will cause a relative change in Live's fader up until you pass through.

[rockerbruce]

thumbsupI have had the APC40 for a few months. For a while it sat on the backburner, but now I am utilizing it heavily.

[tysonviolin]

Originally Posted by Sofine

I am nearly sure that you can change this behaviour in live's preferences so that any movement of the APC40 fader will cause a relative change in Live's fader up until you pass through.

you are right- it's called takover mode in midi preferences- I keep this off.

The APC40 is awesome. If you get into crossfading you will understand why they put it there. I am using the Ableton Template and so far, I cannot think of a better way to setup my live performances.

Physically, this is one of the most solid controllers I have ever used. The knobs feel great and there is no lag on any of the controls (this is especially important with the crossfader. you can make quick changes).

[XAXAU]

Well I went out this morning and got one Thanks guys...

[DerWanderer]

Welcome to the family

Tell us how it goes and what for secrets you found out

[sleepwalker]

I like mine, but I'd happily trade the knobs and sliders for scribble strips, even at a higher price. I use it mostly for the clip matrix and I often don't know where I am.

[Eloheim]

Thought I'd chime in here. I was kinda against getting one (APC40) because I'd read some negative comments about it on Ableton's forums. It seems like almost everywhere else though (and largely on that forum too actually), it gets highly recommended. It was on sale today so I decided to dive in. And lemme, say, so far I love it! I've never worked on a hardware console or anything, and I think I totally underestimated how much I would love having dedicated controllers and feedback and visual representation of the clip grid and all. (And I'm using mind for studio work btw, not live performance.)

I'm also super excited about how Max4Live will be able to pimp this thing. It should make it even better from what I can tell.

[skynet808]

yea- i am having a problem witht he channel sliders. .. . . if i let them sit for more than aminute they lose their place. this causes me to move them up and down to activate each one again. this sucks - pain in the @$s. and its makes for bad mixing.

Is their a way to keep them active, so the dont "fall a sleep"??