# Beginner help? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [August 1, 2014, 2:18am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/beginner-help/67394 "2014-08-01T02:18:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![blasteryui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@blasteryui](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/blasteryui)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 2:18am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/beginner-help/67394/1 "2014-08-01T02:18:00Z")
**Beginner help?** Hey guys so my budget is between 200-300. I’m looking to get a midi controller/pad. I found an APC40 for 180, is the APC40 a good place to start? I see that it doesn’t have touch sensitive which I’m not to sure how much of a difference that is going to make? Is there other controllers you guys would recommend? I’m also looking at the arturia sparkle. For software I plan on using ableton, i hear it’s hard to learn and has a steep learning curve perhaps you guys could also share what software you use? In all honesty I know nothing when it comes to making music on the computer, i play instruments, constantly self made beats being produced in my head and I really just want to start getting these thoughts to digital! Thanks guys! ---
**Author:** ![twistedpickles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f14d63/32.png) [@twistedpickles](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/twistedpickles)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 2:49am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/beginner-help/67394/2 "2014-08-01T02:49:03Z")
The APC40 looks like a great piece of equip. I’m just deciding to try Ableton as well. I’ll be following this thread closely. On another note my buddy sent me a link about bitwig software which has similar functions to live. I don’t know anyone yet using bitwig and the mods didn’t approve my post asking if anyone was using it. ---
**Author:** ![DJMutagen](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/djmutagen/32/10340_2.png) [@DJMutagen](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/DJMutagen)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 3:00am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/beginner-help/67394/3 "2014-08-01T03:00:10Z")
APC40 is amazing! I had the 20 and it changed my mixing and production workflow for the better! 🙂 i sold it to afford the upgrade to the 40. 🙂 integrates with live ssooo well! You power it on, bam. Everything works! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![deevey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/deevey/32/10758_2.png) [@deevey](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/deevey)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 7:33am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/beginner-help/67394/4 "2014-08-01T07:33:50Z")
I genuinely don’t think there is a better than the APC 40 for live use - everything is reflected exactly as it is on the screen. Lots of other controllers may have more features and potentially more powerful control but for a perfect 1:1 plug and play screen reflected mapping nothing comes close. Its insanely priced. If I were you I’d take a look at Maschine as well, bearing in mind that it comes with the entire package for less than Ableton + APC ---
**Author:** ![blasteryui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@blasteryui](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/blasteryui)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2014, 12:27am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/beginner-help/67394/5 "2014-08-02T00:27:56Z")
> [@deevey](#): > > I genuinely don’t think there is a better than the APC 40 for live use - everything is reflected exactly as it is on the screen. > > Lots of other controllers may have more features and potentially more powerful control but for a perfect 1:1 plug and play screen reflected mapping nothing comes close. Its insanely priced. > > If I were you I’d take a look at Maschine as well, bearing in mind that it comes with the entire package for less than Ableton + APC Does Maschine use different software i’m assuming comes with? Easier to use then ableton? ---
**Author:** ![blasteryui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@blasteryui](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/blasteryui)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2014, 12:36am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/beginner-help/67394/6 "2014-08-02T00:36:49Z")
> [@deevey](#): > > I genuinely don’t think there is a better than the APC 40 for live use - everything is reflected exactly as it is on the screen. > > Lots of other controllers may have more features and potentially more powerful control but for a perfect 1:1 plug and play screen reflected mapping nothing comes close. Its insanely priced. > > If I were you I’d take a look at Maschine as well, bearing in mind that it comes with the entire package for less than Ableton + APC hey in this video, what is the blue thing he is using on the left ,is it possible to do that affect without it, it seems really neat, effortless just holding your hand over it? [![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/uploads/techtools/original/3X/d/2/d2bb59fdc927b3e245e3e33e2c5e7e5ece40bccc.jpeg "AKAI APC40 - DEMO - DAFT PUNK MIX") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7RiO0nG_nk) ---
**Author:** ![blasteryui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@blasteryui](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/blasteryui)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2014, 12:40am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/beginner-help/67394/7 "2014-08-02T00:40:37Z")
> [@deevey](#): > > I genuinely don’t think there is a better than the APC 40 for live use - everything is reflected exactly as it is on the screen. > > Lots of other controllers may have more features and potentially more powerful control but for a perfect 1:1 plug and play screen reflected mapping nothing comes close. Its insanely priced. > > If I were you I’d take a look at Maschine as well, bearing in mind that it comes with the entire package for less than Ableton + APC would it be beneficial to have a maschine and apc 40? I’m looking at this maschine right now, [http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Native-Instruments-Maschine-Groove-Production-Studio-/171398643194?pt=US\_Computer\_Recording\_Interfaces&hash=item27e827bdfa&\_uhb=1](http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Native-Instruments-Maschine-Groove-Production-Studio-/171398643194?pt=US_Computer_Recording_Interfaces&hash=item27e827bdfa&_uhb=1)