OHM 64 vs. Akai Apc40/80
Whats up guys, I have gotten into mashup djing and producing a lot, and i want to get into starting to playing and improvising them live. However I am not sure what the best tool would be. I have a launchpad right now and do not use it cause i dont really like it. It does not allow me to transition fast enough. I am looking into modding an apc 40 to an 80 but then i thought about the Livid OHM 64. Anyone have any input and what they would do in my situation. Thanks.
OHM 64 !
I have both a ohm 64 and a apc 20. the functionality is equal between the two pieces, but the build quality and the feeling of the ohm is something completly different.
I believe the only metal part of the APCs is the back plate. The OHM64 comes in aluminum and wood, very sturdy. I’d get the OHM64 if money isn’t a concern.
I don’t understand why anyone would want the OHM 64 other than for aesthetic purposes. sure, it’s sexy as all hell, as far as controllers go, but it doesn’t seem to be as suited to ableton as the APC 40 is. the layout of the APC 40 is significantly more intuitive and clearly laid out. Furthermore, the APC40 has plugs for footswitches, and the OHM 64 does not, though it does have MIDI plugs. Just the cost-effectiveness makes it seem unreasonable to go for the OHM64 when the APC40 does the same, if not more for cheaper, and arguably, more effectively.
Build quality
Build quality is fine on the APC. Sure it’s plastic and stuff but it’s solid and if you aren’t tossing it around it’ll last fine. The layout and the automapping is perfect for Ableton. Ohm build quality is a lot nicer but it seems to me the deciding factor here is the coolness factor. Not just that it looks cool but that you can (and pretty much need to) totally customize it for your personal workflow. It will take a lot longer to get up and running on it but that will be your instrument, whereas the APC is just the most efficient way to use the program. Go for the Ohm if you have money and time; I’m sure it’s more rewarding in the end, but go for the APC if you want something that will get out of your way and let you play now.
I went with the APC 40. I figured that the build quality isnt worth an extra $400. I do agree with you that it is one of the sexiest controllers out there, but in the dark all i can see is the light anyways. I like that the apc is already integrated even though i will probably remap all the faders and knobs. I also like the fact that I can potentially make it into an APC 80 if need be. The 40 is super portable and honestly i think it looks pretty sleek. I will probably spray it up anyways. Come friday, I will let you guys know the review. Anything is better than my launchpad i think. I also talked to like 3LAU who is a mashup artist who i knew had both and he said that the OHM just wasnt worth it. Thank you for the input and i will let you guys know what i think compared to my launchpad friday.
You don’t need to worry about build quality when you can buy 3 apc40s before you add up to the ohm…Im gonna get an APC40 and honestly I will not baby it when you can find them for $200 a piece.
I have the APC80.
It worth every penny. NO bugs…EVERYTHING works. Build Quality is great…does not feel wonky AT all.
Never seen the OHM in real life…but I would go with the APC.
I thought the guys at Livid Instruments made MIDI remote scripts for all of their controllers. o:
I have absolutely no time to mod my apc40 with a 20. id gladly pay someone to do it
Took me 30mins…
Seriously!
Take off the 2 panels…1 off each controller.
Put them together and turn upside down. Now put a piece of paper (big piece) over the back and mark where all the screw holes are.
Now you have a template. Get a piece of Aluminium sheet that will fit the back and lay the template on it and mark the holes. Then drill the holes.
Get 2 bolts of the suggested size and bolt the 2 controllers together.
Now put the aluminium sheet on the back and put in the new screws you bought to fit the new depth.
Thats it.
Took me a day to prep…just getting the stuff during the course of the day and 30mins to actually do the job.
Yea I’ve seen the video and agree of the DIY shit out there it’s easy. Just don’t have the tools, aluminum and the time.
How will you go about painting the APC? I’ve been thinking of modding my own APC for some time, and what I have generally heard is that one just has to sand it and then spray it. Will you go about doing something special?
I would love to see how you mod it, when you get to that!
The livid controllers have very tight integration as well, just wanted to point that out there. They made a max4live program for the block and it seems to work pretty well but never gotten a chance to try it.
Sorry to go a bit off topic but has anyone got any good videos of the apc 80 in use? There doesn’t seem to be too many demos of them in use on the internet.
the typical ‘apc80’ works just like the two units do separately. two moveable sections around session view with the added step seq side of the apc20 and the knobs of the apc40.
editing them with special templates is entirely different
Huh?
Its an APC 40 and an APC 20…put together with a bolt.
In reality…they are still 2 seperate devices.
So have a look at them online. If you had these 2 devices next to each other…it the exact same as the 80.
Use it for Traktor…or Live.
Have a look at Controlled Demolition…he has a few vids of him using it.
Also on my Sig…you will find some youtube links.