The Ultimate Music Production Tool

[Good Samaritan]

I'm looking to get a good piece of equipment to use with Ableton live. My budget limit is about $400.

If you have an MPC, an MPK or some other midi controller that you just can't live without when it comes to making music, then let's pretend you are a salesman, and you need to "pitch" this controller to me. Why should I buy your product?

[Xonetacular]

Well what do you have right now?

I mean I like my MPK49 but it's just something to press keys on and I wouldn't call it essential since any cheap midi keyboard would do the same thing. I have a little lpk25 I use too. I have a maschine I use to make beats which I don't think I would want live without- it can control ableton too in midi mode. I also have ipads running touchable but I wouldn't really call them essential.

When I had an apc40 I thought it was a waste of space- the ipad is much more useful and less annoying even without knobs and faders.

[J5k]

iPad with lemur or touchosc depending on how far you want to go with customizing the controller (lemur has scripting, touchosc does not). Check out Mu if you go the lemur route.

[DJZILCH]

novation launchpad + novation nocturn

launchpad is great but it haz no knobs/ faders, the nocturn remedies this by adding touch sensitive knobs and awesome ableton integration

these will allow you to use ableton like a boss

oh and then if you have any extra $ some cheap midi keyboards like the korg microkey or cheap akai mini keyboard will do for the time being

[Good Samaritan]

Currently I have nothing. I only have an iPod Touch 2G running TouchOSC. I really want an iPad 2 but its very expensive. $500 for the absolute cheapest one.

[Xonetacular]

iPad with lemur or touchosc depending on how far you want to go with customizing the controller (lemur has scripting, touchosc does not). Check out Mu if you go the lemur route.

Forget mu and touchosc. Touchable is still where it's at for ableton.

[Xonetacular]

Currently I have nothing. I only have an iPod Touch 2G running TouchOSC. I really want an iPad 2 but its very expensive. $500 for the absolute cheapest one.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC769LL/A $420 refurbished comes with full warranty and in new packaging.

[Good Samaritan]

Wow. What exactly does refurbished mean?

[Xonetacular]

Most likely scenario is someone returned it to the store and they can't sell it as new so they test and repackage it and sell it as refurbished.

1) What are Apple Certified Refurbished Products?
Apple Certified Refurbished Products are pre-owned Apple products that undergo Apple's stringent refurbishment process prior to being offered for sale. While only some units are returned due to technical issues, all units undergo Apple's stringent quality refurbishment process.

Each Apple Certified Refurbished Product:
is fully tested (including full burn-in testing).
is refurbished with replacement parts for any defective modules identified in testing.
is put through a thorough cleaning process and inspection.
is repackaged (including appropriate manuals, cables, new boxes, etc.).
includes the operating software originally shipped with the unit and the custom software offered with that system. See each products "Learn More" for more details.
is given a new refurbished part number and serial number.
is placed into a Final QA inspection prior to being added to sellable refurbished stock.
Refurbishment procedures follow the same basic technical guidelines as Apple's Finished Goods testing procedures.

(2) What should I expect when I purchase an Apple Certified Refurbished Product?
Substantial savings
A fully functional unit with complete documentation
The assurance that the unit meets Apple's premiere quality standards, and that its defective components have been replaced by genuine Apple components

[Good Samaritan]

Thanks Xone. I had no idea you could buy refurbished stuff from apple