If you can't get an APC40: It's not all in the same unit but i use the Novation Launchpad X (buttons) + Novation Launch Control XL (faders & knobs) to do the same thing. I also use a Novation Launchkey 37 keyboard to play the live parts and create loops.
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
Ok cool that’s awesome! Thanks for this!
@pascaljean233323 күн бұрын
Ye i went in this direction as well. Downside of the apc40 over the launch pad or apc mini is that there is only 4 rows on the 40
@olafsigursons4 ай бұрын
I so like when you have artist showing their set up. I learned so much. Thank you to both of you! For tonal change, look at the circle of 5th! Always sound good going +/- a 5th.
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
Yes! I’ve started doing this a lot more now!
@andremmmmm24454 ай бұрын
Every time I watch one of your artist setup/workflow videos, it pushes me to use my setup differently! Very inspiring. Thanks for another super interesting video!
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
Love to hear this! Lots more to come 😊
@alice108882 ай бұрын
This is one device I appreciate increasingly more and more as the years go on. The simplicity and practicality!
@LiamKillen2 ай бұрын
Absolutely - I really still do think it's the best Ableton Live controller - no need to over complicate things ! Also, if you're interested in a community full of tech peeps talking about gear all day - you might want to hit up my Discord ! Here's a link :-) distrokid.com/vip/liamkillen
@kathleencoveny38604 ай бұрын
Get on board the funk machine! ... always inspiring when given the opportunity to tune into the style .. technique .. expertise .. skill of another... there is not a person on the planet that can't teach us something .. cheers to those that hear the sound of music in everything! ...
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
Cheers to you!
@rzon8Ай бұрын
This has got to be the videos that I appreciate the most
@LiamKillenАй бұрын
Appreciate you watching :-)
@ionianechoes4 ай бұрын
I really like this concept you are developing in your channel where you are "interviewing" or, more accurately, letting different people with different workflows demo "their method". Like sharing their jems. I think it's really interesting, there's always something to learn. And I mean REALLY something to learn because nowadays the youtube-synth-world is full of "fake" "click-baity" video with tricks and tips that "will really change your approach" from synthfluencers that really don't know how to keep up the pace because the need to upload weekly videos. So as a viewer I sometimes feel treated as stupid because the tip in the videos often ends up being something trivial or very obvious. In summary, I really like this series of videos man 😊.
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
Lots more of this to come!!
@saximus814 ай бұрын
Completely agree - absolutely brilliant piece of hardware. Hope AKAI makes a new version at some point, or that Ableton themselves see the light. I use it for DJing, looping and producing - this thing can handle anything.
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
Yeah they need to re issue this bad boy PRONTO
@el_dani2 ай бұрын
Best thing about the APC40 mk2: it connects directly to the Push 3 (standalone on battery) 😊
@LiamKillen2 ай бұрын
Yes that's a huge plus ! :-)
@HogiWirjono4 ай бұрын
Still my favorite Ableton controller been with me for a bit and has never failed me.
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
Well said
@qwertySnowy4 ай бұрын
The looper idea is cool 🎉
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
I’ve been using it a lot!
@chrisegonmusic2 ай бұрын
So glad I own one. Just checked the secondhand price and it’s went a bit nuts
@LiamKillen2 ай бұрын
yyyyup - a little too nuts if you ask me and I bet this video isn't helping either lol
@HIFI19654 ай бұрын
Still use mine all the time. That is when I’m using Ableton. I have a push three standalone and will connect it to the APCmk2 As well. I don’t like the cognitive friction having to switch between modes in the push workflow. The cross fader is very important if you were clip launching for life sets.
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
It’s still super popular for a reason!
@qtv64964 ай бұрын
Do you use another daw or just ableton?
@HERBERTBARUC-nz8ds3 ай бұрын
With MK2 and Push you are in heaven
@notlonnie4 ай бұрын
Thank you so much for this video, made me finally pull the trigger on a APC 40 after all these years of thinking about it
@LiamKillen3 ай бұрын
That's awesome ! The Discord community would love to hear what you think about it ! discord.gg/xj8J2xJuBP
@billB1014 ай бұрын
Favourite Ableton and Bitwig controller and also my favourite Resolume controller. I have both a MK1 and Mk2. Would love it if they made a version with flying faders.
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
Ouuu that would be nice
@Jodeo-ck2pq4 ай бұрын
Akai, Novation, or Abelton need to jump on the ball and build a modern controller with this tactile setup, 8x8 or 8x6 pad grid, faders, assignable knobs, setup to look like clip view, but with more modern features, midi control, a chord mode, a sequencer, automation, add a mousepad or someway to select files and instruments on my computer, so that I never have to touch my mouse or keyboard. Basically, smash together the APC40 mk2 and an LPP or APC 64 and I think a lot of people would eat it up. I would sell multiple pieces of gear for something like that,
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
You got this PLANNED OUT my guy
@ZombieLincoln666Ай бұрын
A product like this exists fyi - Intech Studio’s Grid series of controllers
@greyaltaer87884 ай бұрын
The Apc64 is underrated for sure, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have glaring shortcomings. They just missed on some UX decisions for the most part. Would it really have been that much more expensive with motorized faders as opposed to touch strips? I think the crossfader shouldn’t have been omitted but should have been developed in a more Octatrack type direction. Lastly, if they really wanted them to sell like hotcakes, they should have included alternative tuning layouts and sequencers a la Oxi One. Hence, the older apcs still hold up really well, and arguably deserve the higher prices they’re currently going for. I might be wrong, but having worked in electronics, I’d guess those features would have raised the price by no more than a hundo or so.
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
I can’t deal with those touch sensitive faders or whatever you call them- they’re so finicky which just makes it an immediate no for me.
@Jodeo-ck2pq4 ай бұрын
I'd 100% pay an extra 100 bucks or even 200 for a great tactile midi controller like this, but with some built in sequencers and chord modes like the LPP or the APC64. If Akai, Novation, or Ableton got the hint and smashed together a LaunchPad Pro with and APC 40 MK2, those things would sell like bananas. I'd sell like 3 pieces of gear I have for something like that.
@greyaltaer87884 ай бұрын
To you both, big same!
@NelsonMcKey4 ай бұрын
@@Jodeo-ck2pq I just use this and a push at the same time. Perfect combo.
@vovandevu33754 ай бұрын
Yep, selling apc64 as it did not meet my expectations as standalone sequencer and i am tired to guess which strip is what in ableton…
@koendecroo4 ай бұрын
I immediately picked one up locally for a great price (which is an amzing coincidence as I live on an island). I love how it works with ableton however I discovered it also works out of the box with Loopy Pro. It's a mystery why in 2024 there are still very very limited endless encoder controlers out there....
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
This is just the best one - it's so clear. We should talk about it in my Discord - if you're not already a member hehe: Here's an invite: discord.gg/xj8J2xJuBP
@HERBERTBARUC-nz8ds3 ай бұрын
In addition to its incredible features, it´s such a beautiful gear. Looks much better than 2 CDJ´s with a mixer.
@LiamKillen3 ай бұрын
Simplicity is king in this instance ! You belong in my Discord ! Here's an invite: discord.gg/xj8J2xJuBP
@maikvanrossum4 ай бұрын
Absolutely the best mixer and launch controller for Ableton Live… especially next to a Push 2 (or 3) for playing and modifying sounds. The APC is very direct, like for instance the TR-8S. And the crossfader is awesome too for controlling multiple channels. Really don’t understand why Akai made the MK3 sort of a Push-clone… it’s no longer complementary and more of the same. The APC is also a very capable controller for Loopy Pro on iPad. And last week I stumbled upon a workaround to map it to Native Instruments’ Maschine+ too.
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
Yes! That’s what I love about it! The directness
@Farmatique4 ай бұрын
Whoa! I'm really excited to see Vic is using windows-laptop, since I'm using windows for music production too. Which is quite rare among the Ableton and other software musicians, who consider Mac is a golden standard for music software/controllers. I wonder which model of laptop and what audio-interface he's using? I'm on Thinkpad x13 gen2 (Ryzen) + Zoom L8/Zoom U22/Zoom U24. And of course APC40 mk2/Push 2
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
He's using the Motu Ultralite MK 5 as an audio interface - not sure of the model of his lap top.
@Farmatique4 ай бұрын
@@LiamKillen Thank you for the input! Good to know 👍
@Victor-ue7ll4 ай бұрын
I'm using a DELL XPS 15 9510 - Processor 11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-11800H @ 2.30GHz. Solid and compact laptop.
@Farmatique4 ай бұрын
@@Victor-ue7ll appreciate your input, Vic 🙏good to know 👍
@TheOriginSoundtrack12 күн бұрын
Both mk1 and mk2 are definitely the best Ableton controllers out there. No idea why they moved onto the APC64 - agree that it completely misses the mark compared to the APC40s!
@LiamKillen10 күн бұрын
Yeah the slider things on the 64 are pretty garbage.
@Rhythm_Laboratory4 ай бұрын
After using various MIDI controllers, the APC40 MK2 was the best. But for my usage, I'd be happy with a few more channels.
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
Yeah it’s especially great for live performance!
@palaHD3 ай бұрын
I use 2 apc40 mk2's so I get 16 channels in ableton,works absolutely great,i use mine as a ableton mixer and midi controller for effects and instrument controls,I've even bought a third apc40mk2 in case one of them breaks,my dream is a 16 channel all in one APC16C 😂
@LiamKillen2 ай бұрын
two!? Geniuusssssssssss
@palaHD2 ай бұрын
@@LiamKillenif you do happen to use 2 together then you need to make your default template contain 9 or more tracks,that way both apc's will be mapped 1 though to 16,if you use the standard default template with only a few tracks both apc's will just be duplicated and you won't get the full 1 to 16 channels/tracks if that makes any sense 😂
@zwockelbart82264 ай бұрын
This is awaesome, helped me to fix some things at my set, Cheers!
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
It’s a pleasure! All the best
@qwertySnowy4 ай бұрын
I had one but sold it. It was cool but I didn't like that it had 8 columns of clip buttons but only 5 rows. Doesn't make sense as if your performing live a lot of songs are bigger than 5 rows. It should have been 8x8 then it's less moving about up and down when triggering clips. Other than that it's prob the best controller for ableton . Awesome vid love these insights to how others play :-)
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
Thank you for watching!
@djcrouton26802 ай бұрын
I don't know why Akai got rid of this controller to go with more of a Push or Launchpad style. This is basically exactly what someone who wants a controller for Ableton is looking for. Unfortunately it's discontinued so finding them can be challenging and expensive.
@LiamKillen2 ай бұрын
I know - it should still be in stock honestly - like forever. Or some other company should replicate it lol. PS - you seem like someone who might be interested in joining my Discord community :-) discord.gg/xj8J2xJuBP
@doflamingo852 ай бұрын
amazing video. i have a simlar setup. i produce with ableton but the kick&bas group is mixed and prcessed and blended. that is giving me some trouble when going live since i do have to decide if taking them processed or dividing them into just kick and bass and hope for a good result. i cant blend them live has the colums of kicks and bass do not have processing on them, they could not since in live you have all the tracks. so how can i bypass this?
@LiamKillen2 ай бұрын
Personally I think it makes the most sense to have your tracks mixed so they sound good together / separate.
@MrCosmicVictory4 ай бұрын
great, great video. i dont have ableton so this actually gave me a better idea of how it works. and yes, that apc is beautiful. if i had one, it would be to midi map everything to an mpc. 🤔
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
Thx for watching! 😊
@c4guy4 ай бұрын
would be super interesting to get his effect rack that he uses on the track! thanks for the video
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
My pleasure !
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
He has some content available on his website! Link in bio 😊
@Victor-ue7ll4 ай бұрын
I can make it available on my website, but the only thing is that there is an external VST that I'm using, so there will be one knob that you won't be able to use if you don't have this VST (ShaperBox by CableGuys). All other macros are Ableton Pluggins, so everything else will be working though.
@egonelly4 ай бұрын
@@Victor-ue7ll thank you!!
@qwertySnowy4 ай бұрын
Cool that be awesome
@thisisjasonzimmermann4 ай бұрын
Looks like Fred is using one of these in the Studio Live 2 video from 2021.
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
Oh yeah? Not surprised at all!
@thisisjasonzimmermann4 ай бұрын
@@LiamKillen not at all indeed but in those series he definitely pulls out some different gear. I actually didn’t recognize it until I saw your video and rewatched on a whim.
@Digitalstone2 ай бұрын
As soon I decided this is the perfect controller for my live setup it gets discontinued and used prices skyrocket. I really hope we get a MK3, but I'm not going to hold my breath.
@LiamKillen2 ай бұрын
Yeah it's gone bonkers for sure.
@bellah612920 күн бұрын
Super helpful.. curious whats that other mixer you are using with this setup?
@LiamKillen18 күн бұрын
Mackie Pro FX 12 ! (I think)
@russcontact4 ай бұрын
The biggest drawback of any Live controller that Im aware of relative to a mixer is the lack of ability to modulate multiple tracks at the same time. If anyone knows otherwise please share. But until that’s possible a mixer still dominates for djing Changing the eq of two tracks independently at the same time is something I just couldn’t dj without
@Victor-ue7ll4 ай бұрын
You could use the knob at the top of each channel of the APC40 and map a LP/HP filter (or put whatever you want there)... You could then modulate multiple tracks at the same time, but it would only be one knob, so no real Eqing... I agree it's a limitation.
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
Yeah it’s def a different thing that’s for sure
@jakobDium4 ай бұрын
great stuff!
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
Thx!
@MediaMusik7774 ай бұрын
Wally World has them for grand new but I got the Apc64 and I like it strips are quicker imo
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
Oh really? I checked everywhere and couldn’t find them new!
@MediaMusik7774 ай бұрын
@@LiamKillen sold out now after looking back at my cart lol 1 day later
@HEDNOD-Official3 ай бұрын
ALL I EVER WANTED WAS A 16 FADER/CHANNEL CONTROLLER Or even better a modular system I can increase to 24 or more channels. 8 faders/channels is not enough, never has been, neve will be. I used to do live mix arrangements on a 48 channel mixing console. Lowest amount of tracks I could work with is 16. I'm not alone, I speak to producers all the time about this. The faders ARE NOT just for setting levels. They are for dropping in and out elements of the mix instantly or fading in and out. Basically doing all the arrangement timeline and automation moves you do except its in real time This controller is great but again its the 8 faders routine. I get the bloke can set up a live set and use only 8 channels, but the studio where you write and live arrange the track is different. You're not going to limit yourself to 8 tracks when composing. Seriously Akai, release a modular system and you will sell tons of them w
@HEDNOD-Official3 ай бұрын
And for the record I enjoyed the video and the French bloke is a likeable chap 😎
@LiamKillen3 ай бұрын
There's actually a company - i can't recall the name now - that will actually build you a custom controller if that's a road you'd be interested in going down. Sky is the limit at that point ! I bet it's expensive though. Also- you seem like someone who might be interested in joining my Discord ! :-) discord.gg/xj8J2xJuBP
@HEDNOD-Official3 ай бұрын
@@LiamKillen Yes there are a few niche companies that make some products I could use but they are to expensive and generally miss out on something ie there are gotchas. I've checked out every controller system available out there. The closest I could find was Allen +_ Heath Zedr 16/24. Its faders can be turned in to midi faders and it has a handy midi knob and fader section as well. But, although not essential the EQ and Aux pots dont transmit midi + its a system getting on a bit, no longer made today. But ideally a modular system would be ideal which has fader sections and add on sections with knobs and buttons +++ a scribble strip is essential. Get in your shed and build that now :) Still puzzles me no company has manufactured this.
@HEDNOD-Official3 ай бұрын
PS sorry mate, I dont use Diskord
@fabiancortes62554 ай бұрын
Super solid.
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
My guy
@TheoTzu3 ай бұрын
I love mine
@LiamKillen2 ай бұрын
it's the best ! :-)
@marcosrotllan2 ай бұрын
Please how in the hell I set the faders to 0dbs at the TOP without loosing the length between 0 and 2 dbs? I can't believe....
@LiamKillen2 ай бұрын
I think that this is a setting within Ableton, no ? Hit up my Discord community if you'd like to dig into this one - there's lots of resourceful people there ! :-) discord.gg/xj8J2xJuBP
@JamesBermingham4 ай бұрын
Hi Liam. Would it be possible to share the Ableton Live template that was used in this demo ? Even if it’s just an empty set but with the effects used and mapped to the Akai controller? Great video.
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
You’d have to ask Vic! You can contact him via his website
@naanstop65594 ай бұрын
If it's so saught after but discontinued, must mean something new on the horizon?
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
I’m not sure because the “next iterations” are similar but IMO just worse versions of the APC-40 mk2 lol
@JAHKAMRENАй бұрын
I bought one on ebay in 2020 for $180 it is now going for $400+... insane.
@LiamKillenАй бұрын
Yeah they def need to reissue these bad boys
@MatsMorlund4 ай бұрын
Awesome video! Gave me a lot of new ideas. Was wondering, do you know if there is a quick way, like a macro or something, that could reset all device settings on all 8 tracks at the same time❓
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
Thank you for watching and if I knew I’d let you know!
@qwertySnowy4 ай бұрын
You can create a macro Variation inside an instrument rack to the state u want and midi map a button so it can set all devices to a default stste
@MatsMorlund4 ай бұрын
@@qwertySnowy Yes! Of course. THANKS!!
@brainbox92194 ай бұрын
I got lucky and found one in excellent condition for $150 plus 2 year warranty, after shipping it was around $200, I haven’t seen them for any other price tbh, glad I got one before it goes up in price, just hope it works…I got a push 2 but it just refused to work with ableton live 12, even after all the troubleshooting and contacted support and they barely helped tbh, just sold the push 2 and ordered this thru guitar center, hopefully I’m able to actually use it 🤞🏾
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
Whaaat! Jealous!!
@Dubsteppah4 ай бұрын
I just sold mine on Ebay for $600. My apc-40 mk2. I didn't think it was that great. There's a lot better Ableton controllers out there. But if you like it, that's all that matters. If it works for your setup, that's awesome. I like the old version better tbh.
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
I find that it’s just the most straight that I’ve seen
@NelsonMcKey4 ай бұрын
What is the midi clock/metronome tool he is using at 14:50? I've been looking for something like this for a long time!
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
I’m not exactly sure what it’s called but if you google Ableton timer I’m sure something will pop up! 😊
@markanthonyartАй бұрын
what replaces the APC40 mk2, as it is discontinued?
@LiamKillenАй бұрын
There's a new model - the APC 64 or something ? I think it sucks personally.
@markanthonyartАй бұрын
@LiamKillen yeah that's what I mean, is there something more like the apc40 and why did they discontinue it
@emmanuelcameron49044 ай бұрын
super intéressant!
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
😊
@tablaninja4 ай бұрын
I still use mine every day.
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
I gotta start using mine more!!
@johnrun7123 ай бұрын
Few for sale used, say no more. Love mine.
@LiamKillen3 ай бұрын
They're sooooo hard to find for a reasonable price, it's true. Come tell us how much you love it over in my Discord ! :-) discord.gg/xj8J2xJuBP
@jazminmohammed68024 ай бұрын
Does anyone know where I can get a used akai apc40 mk2 to buy ?
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
Facebook marketplace or reverb
@MadsHalvorsen4 ай бұрын
Can anyone please tell me where to buy this one? It seems like it’s so out of stock and completely unavailable everywhere
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
It’s no longer issued! It’s only on the second hand market now- annoying…I know
@_c_y_p_34 ай бұрын
I guess I can scratch this off beings there will be 5k people buying the 20 listings.
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
You can still find them!!
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
Local markets + such as
@b_og4 ай бұрын
Man i always wanted a controller like that but since it's price almost doubled i couldnt buy one, and now they make a new version that's not even comparable and you can't buy it anymore? I think i will never buy anything from akai ever after this :D
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
Yeah it blew up as soon as people found out it wasn’t being reissued
@b_og4 ай бұрын
@@LiamKillenIt's insane.. imagine a company like akai making musicians who has apc40mk1/mk2 in their setup and make them buy a used one with 2x price of an original one.. Why would they do that, clearly the new apc64 is no even comparable for most folks, it was all about the knobs and faders, i would imagine a "respectful" company like akai has plans for people who stick with their gear, but no apc40 mk3 release or mk2 coming back in sight.. And with all respects, but it's a an easy unit to manufacture they just want people to switch to something they don't like even though it could make people want to try new apc more if it would be an option between the two who knows..
@@LiamKillen touche! i bought 2x launch control xl in user mode for 1/3 the price! Theres money in knobs i tells ya!
@wildbird784 ай бұрын
when you say "relevant" what do you mean?
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
It’s popular despite being a unit that’s 10+ years old. I see it everywhere still!
@AboveTheTrees004 ай бұрын
VCM600 is the best ableton controller..
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
I’ll take a look
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
Depends on how you want to use it though of course
@jimmywheelo4 ай бұрын
Best live controller? That’s a bit of a push
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
Was that an intentional pun? Depends who you ask I guess! It’s super popular!
@jimmywheelo4 ай бұрын
@@LiamKillen it was! 😅 And yes it may be popular but still…..
@EVILJAMARR4 ай бұрын
The best?! Um NO. The Push 2 exists! Is this a serious title?! 😂😂😂
@LiamKillen4 ай бұрын
I dunno man! It’s def the most straight forward, simple Ableton Live controller! There’s a reason why so many people still use it!
@jetxee4 ай бұрын
Mk2 has faders 🎚️
@maikvanrossum4 ай бұрын
The Push is completely different and that’s why Akai missed the mark. The APC was complementary.
@olafsigursons4 ай бұрын
The Push is not the same imo. It's not much of a Midi controller. It's more but different.
@image66media4 ай бұрын
The Push controllers are best used as instrument keyboards in live use. And also for sequencer step adjustment/editing on the fly. But for launching, mixing, and controlling a mix in live performance? The APC40Mk2 has no equal.