Ok, so I've got a less than one year old Novation Remote Zero SL controller that I LOVE. But now I'm seeing people doing amazing things with the new APC and it's making me feel like I'm just not cut out for performance anymore.

How do you compare with Live 8 and an APC?! good god that thing is awesome. Do want.... *sniff* do...want.

Example:

what they dont show you is how useless the APC is for vst plugin controls

Wow. Now that looks like a lot of fun... I want one

I have heard mixed reviews on this little biddy..

Details please? I'm really looking forward to getting Live 8 (I'm still using 6) and finally having a modular/organic live performance rather than just playing a scene at a time. If the APC isn't the best tool for this I'll definitely consider something else.

No its good for what you want to do. what it doesnt do is what the Novation SL/nocturns do, which is map out a totally customizable set of controls for each individual plugin and all 16 MIDI channels. The apc40 has endless rotaries which get assigned to the macro controls of the selected device chain or the first however many controls confiured for the plugin. but if you want to set up button holds and more custom stuff like for each plugin without overriding the default controller configuration, stick to the SL.

thanks for posting that vid- was good to see one in actual use within styles relevant to our community. APC will continue to get much more interesting for live use, especially once max for live comes out.

that being said, any controller is just a tool... while it may be true that the APC is easier to setup / use for what is done in this video, that isn't to say you can't accomplish similar with other hardware. and at the end of the day, if you're having fun and the audience is feeling how you're building your set (which takes into account *so many factors* beyond just hardware), then it doesn't matter at all what you're using.

there's always a better drummer at the next club, and always a more ideal live setup. it's often limitations that drive artists to new heights of creativity & invention, depending on your willingness to probe these limits. no need for inferiority complexes now, that's just what the controller industry wants you to believe. good luck!

Lokae: good point. I guess I should change the title of this thread to "Unbridled Gear Lust"

APC would be great for brutal super mash sets like that, but fuck, if I'm doing a 2 or 3 hours set at $80 an hour you can fuck that right off.

Also, I NEED dedicated Eqs that are not in banks.

Ie. My gear lust is for this:

The apc 40 rocks in so many ways. However, for what i do and am used to doing, I still require a 2nd controller alongside it. I absolutely need static dedicated eq and filter controls on Non-endless knobs.

I agree with Lokae on this one. I always used to fall into that trap of "what VST can I get to make this song better" or "I need more external gear to do this properly". There's always something better, but knowing how to use your gear is more important than having the latest toy...

speaking of vst lust, I notice that as soon as a company releases specs on a major update to their product, I immediately stop using that vst in its current state and routinely check kvr hoping for the new version to come out. I find it damn near impossible to use a plugin that works great as it is knowing that the next version is going to have even more features. I just stare at it and wish it was the new version