Get an APC40 now? Lauchpad maybe?
I almost buying one new APC40 and I need to know:
Anyone thinks this is not to good now? APC40 is become old? Or is a great equipment yet?
Launchpad its a option, but I think you have more control of every thing with APC right?
Up to you if it fits your needs. I didn’t like using it for Traktor so I got a Denon MC-3000 instead, but you may like it. The price hs droppped quite abit though.
I don’t have an APC40 but I have APC20 and it’s practicly the same.
My opinions:
Beautiful job they did in AKAI, the controller is stable and durable.
Disadvantages:
The main disadvantage in my opinion is that you need an external power suply and a short cable, so you can’t really lift it up and do something like with Maschine or something similar.
Buttons have some kind of a double click but so as the Launchpad, so there is a chance that sometimes you think that something changed but you didn’t press the button right.
Faders show just the right amount of resistance so you won’t change the volume by accident or something.
You’re gonna probably lose the cap on an encoder since it really easy falls off.
Hope you’ll find this helpful.
I have a Launchpad. I love it. It gives you complete control over Live for all your performance needs…
BUT - you can only adjust volume/sends (basically any knob/fader type para) in 8 steps (because a verticle row of buttons is 8 buttons). NOt a deal braker, and it doesn’t really bother me - but it is something to bear in mind. Obviously NOT if yu use another controller for volume/sends, etc…
I’ve always liked the look of the APC40 - but there are a LOT of controls (and layes, and presets) on it - I doubt many people use it to it’s full potential…
While th elaunch pad is easy to master (Mixer and Session Modes are extremely intuitive) and User Mode 1 and 2 are completely configurable to you rown needs.
Do I sound biased?!? 
!
I have the APC40 and 20…class bit of kit. I have zero issues.
Had it now for about 2 years. It goes with me to ALL my gigs and outdoors too.
Couple of dirty fader issues, but that is it!
Built really well…and durable. You will not be sorry.
If you dont like it, someone will take it off your hands…but you will like it.
Think of it this way…its everything that jogless controllers are heading towards. Look at the F1…etc. Color Buttons…Faders…rotary knobs.
I personally dont subscribe to the fad where you need to get the latest controller in order to be on top of your game.
I luckily had the foresight that this is where controllers were heading.
VERY happy with them!
First of all, TNX for all your help 
I`m thinking in get it, looks a good choice.
Patch, The launchpad is great and portable, but I think u have more control of everty thing in apc no?!
SlvrDragon, I have one MC3000 too. I bought it 3 mounths ago, GREAT controller right?! I love it
The thing is, for ableton I think the APC40 is made-for-it no guys?
For Traktor, i read a lot of things and u CANT use it with the remix decks right? This is true? Only the F1? If yes, in this case launchpad will not work too, so… This is a realy sad part 
Tnx gain for every comment
Thats all correct.
The APC is a midi controller in the end…so you can make it do what you want in Traktor.
The Remix Decks are locked at the moment…to only the F1.
So while you can map the APC to the Remix Decks, you can only play the first slot in each.
So you can still use the Sample Decks for now. I am hoping that once they open the Remix Decks midi up…i will be able to map it…but I do not know if that will or will not be possible.
Yup! Made for Ableton. It’s PERFECT in that aspect, but I found that I didn’t need the APC40 for music production (would rather have a large midi keyboard), and I didn’t like DJing in Ableton.
APC40 was going for about $240 on Amazon yesterday, today it’s $186. This may or may not be because they started taking pre-orders for the Push, as I’ve seen the price on it fluctuate wildly in the past as well.
I’ve just recently got Live 8, and I’m thinking about getting a controller for it, wanted the M-Audio UC-3ee but unfourtunatly I think it has been discontinued I can’t afford an APC so I think a Launchpad will be my choice… I’m a proper ableton beginner so is the Launchpad recommended?
I think the APC is worth the 50-80 bucks more you’ll spend, but the Launchpad is the other Ableton favorite.
just wait for the push. its on pre-order now and will ship out in 2-4 weeks. i would hold off until i get some review on the product and then compare it to the apc40.
and of course the Livid Base sits right in between those two price points
APC40 for $186 is the best deal! I use the APC40 with CDJs and absolutely love what you get for the price point.
God, it`s two time sad
First, i cant wait. Im from Brazil and Im in canada only until 8 March. So I need to buy it in the next two days.
Second, like i said I`m in Canada, the APC40 here is $299 PLUS TAX, or almost $340 SOOOO Sad you guys in USA have it for $186
In that case, I would wait. Don’t make an impulse buy like I did.
I think you’re better off waiting for Push since you already have an MC3000 for your DJing needs.
Agreed - the Push is made by Akai, and I’ve heard the build quality is very high - just like the APC40. Personally, if price is a huge issue I would wait for the Push to become more established, and the APC line will most likely have a price drop (if sub-200 becomes standard for the APC40, that’s a hell of a deal!)
I highly doubt the Push will see a huge price drop anytime soon - it’s being sold by Ableton (in what I assume is a stop-gap to mediate losses due to the ease of software piracy).