Max for live tutorials
Just uploaded another new Max for live tutorial. This one focuses on using the Live API, OSC and the lemur in Max for live.
If you own a grid based controller such as the launchpad, APC40, Ohm 64, block, lemur or monome then this tutorial is for you. The tutorial shows you how to use the Live API and OSC (open sound control) to build apps for grid controllers.
Enjoy
Zander
APC40 & Luanchpad with Max for Live
New tutorial uploaded showing you how to use the APC40 & Luachpad with Ableton’s Max for live. This tutorial goes through the basics of selecting a control surface, observing the buttons and using the Live API to create a simple app. The tutorial will help you understand how to build your own apps for max for live and the APC40 & Launchpad.
Get creating!
Zander
APC40 & Max for Live tutorial
New Max for Live video tutorial covering how to do custom mapping & remapping of the the APC40. This tutorial gives you basics for opening the possibilites of using an APC40 and Max for Live. Get creative and make some new patches or devices for Max for Live or create a completely custom APC40 mapping.
Zander
Akai APC20
Big news from the Akai camp for winter NAMM in the form of the APC20, the APC40’s little brother. The APC20 is a stripped down version of the APC40, losing all the knobs, buttons, transport controls and crossfader. This obviously reduces the size by about a third but also reduces the price with a retail of $299 and an expected street price of $199, a lot cheaper than the APC40.
The APC20 has kept much of the flexabilty of the APC40 with most of the functions performed by the knobs being intergrated into the APC20 in the form of selectable user modes. Transport controls as well as device control have been kept but you have to switch between them using the shift button. The faders then act as a multi function controller aswell as normal mixer faders. There is also a new note mode where the button matrix doubles as a note trigger mode for playing instruments or triggering devices etc.
For most APC40 owners this is a bit of a waste of time for Akai as you lose the knobs which is one of the best things about the APC40 over the Novation launchpad. The APC20 could just end up as a launchpad with faders but is not quite as flexable and more expensive. The APC20 can be used in conjunction with an APC40 to create an extended button grid.
The tutorial shows you how to utilise Ableton Live’s video function so it can be controlled by the APC40 whilst still manipulating audio. This could really spice up a laptop performance and make it a lot more interesting for the audience.
APC40 CC# & midi mappings
Well this is big news as far as all APC40 users are concerned. Apparently this happened a while back at the start of November, around about the same time novation released their programmers guide for Launchpad. I didn’t even hear a peak from anyone about the document so it must of been swept up in the launchpad fever.
Anyway this should mean that more apps are developed for the APC40. This document is not for the light hearted weighing in at 20 pages of code and goes in depth into exactly how the APC40 handles data. As you can see from the image above Akai have provided the CC#’s for each button, knob & slider too.
Download APC40 communications protocol rev 1
Another video from Joey paranoia showing the APC40 as a step sequencer and massive looper. These videos show that the APC40 is more flexible than you think, so get creative!
Cool video from Joey paranoia showing the APC40 working as a step sequencer drum machine in Ableton Live. You can buy the template for $10 but I think you’d benefit more if you worked out how it worked and made your own. This shows that the APC40 is more than a clip launcher for Ableton Live.
Here’s a good video from Joey Paranoia demonstrating the APC40, Launchpad & Ableton Live working together as a big step sequencer/Ableton Live controller. He explains exactly how these work together and shows them in action. The main reason for posting this up is that it shows how customisable the launchpad and APC40 are.
This should give you some inspiration to create your own set up and stand out of the crowd.
Go forth and create!
Nice video showing the APC40 and Launchpad working together in harmony. Putting these two together could be a winning combination. Kind of an add on for APC40 users.
