Using the Akai APC40 primarily with Traktor Pro

DJ Life & Community General Discussion
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Using the Akai APC40 primarily with Traktor Pro

I have just recently fallen for Traktor Pro and am now officially a Traktor Pro convert from Scratch Live. Traktor Pro is just so much more fun, and it allows you to open up your sets for more knob twisting, slider pushing fun that Scratch Live just doesn’t have. I used to think that you had to be able to beatmatch two records for 5 minutes straight to be a “real Dj”. I can, but i’m over that now… Who wants to spend their time keeping two records tight when they can be twisting knobs?? !! I’m now considering selling my pristine 1200Mk2’s and Scratch Live setup, but that’s another story…

I am currently using my Behringer DDM4000 mixer and NanoPad for Midi control of Traktor Pro.

I was initially planning on buying the Vestax VCI-100 to use with my mixer, but am now leaning towards the Akai APC40.

It just seems that there are more sliders and of course BUTTONS, that can control Traktor Pro on the APC40 without the need for shifting modes. I am really only concerned about FX control and deck transport control with the APC40, as I will have the DDM4000 to control EQ and levels. It seems like the APC40 will allow 4 deck control with ease and without having to toggle to get to C and D. In fact, it will probably be overkill to use the DDM4000, APC40 and NanoPad together, but it should be fun.

The only thing I will miss on the APC40 is the cool Jog Wheel FX you can do on the VCI-100. BUT, I have found that you can do those same Jog Wheel FX on sliders, which I am currently doing now on my DDM4000.

It seems to me that the APC40 will be the upcoming and preferred unit to use with Traktor Pro.

Opinions?

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Don’t be steeling my ideas now. :wink:

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i am waiting for the apc40 to use with traktor just like you guys. any mapping finished yet? i actually would love two apc40’s ;D

is it regular midi btw.? would make mapping easier than with HDI or whatever.

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Mappings aren’t finished, as they aren’t available at the moment(as far as I know).

Also normal/regular MIDI. :smiley:

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Slightly offtopic, but does anyone know if the APC40 really only ships with a limited version of Live 7 and if that is so if there are plans to upgrade it to a limited Live 8? To me the feature limitations of the APC40 are not so big when used in a DJing setup, which would make the APC40 a steal, since you get an awesome controller along with Live for a very low price.

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Well the limited version of 7 is now called Live LE. No version numbering.

As far as I know, this will remain.

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So it will ship with Ableton Live LE 8? or Live LE is a cut down version of Live 7 and there is no cut down version of Live 8?

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It comes with its own version of live which is halfway between Live LE and Live 8 in terms of functionality.

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Ok. But is it based on Live 8 minus some stuff or is it based on Live LE plus some stuff? The question is mainly if I use this version, will it feel like Live 8 but simply be limited. Or does it feel more like working inside a limited Live 7?

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LE is based on Live 7, but, it also comes with a universal upgrade for Ableton Live 7 and 8 as to unlock some extras for the APC.

Are we already confusing you? :smiley:

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i meant wheter you guys made like a picture of a mapping or something. i think custom mappings are totally necessary for this!

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Ofcourse.

First I want to see if I want 4 decks, or just two decks… still not too sure on either way. :wink:

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nah .. i understand all of that. to me the question really just boils down to if the APC live version is sort of like living in the live 7 past or if its a live 8 under the hood and if i eventually upgrade to live 8 proper it will be natural.

For example, it does seem to support the Max/MSP extension, however does it also include the sharing features and other Live 8 goodies. the sharing is not listed in the comparison chart, since it compares to Live 7, which makes me think its based on Live 7. if its based on live 7 .. its not really all that interesting, just means it safes you 100 bucks when upgrading to live 8.

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DAVE’s TSI

Hay hay check out this TSI map for TAKTOR PRO and the apc40!
its the best working one i have seen. I think it has some pretty intelligent design, with lighting buttons and such.

he also made a really useful PDF diagraming all the buttons and how they are used.

Thank you dave!:smiley:

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why do you dig up old threads from the grave?

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Brings them up cause sometimes people dont think about stuff till they see it/ i am completely debating between kontrol s4 and the apc40/ I have the Kontrol ordered/ but i keep thinking like the apc40 is gonna be the direction of the classic “DJ”/ Maybe a step higher then kontrol in terms of performance capabilities?

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thank you!

was merely trying to be helpful

i believe the apc40 is an amazing controller and translates into Traktor very nicely. i would go to say it would give you more control than the kontrol.

plus, the kontrol wont compare in ableton! if you do use ableton that is.

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the s4 is sweet tho! admittedly, i want one :b

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I think it was Padi that had an awesome looking mapping for the APC40. Even had 8 unused buttons that could be mapped to sampledecks