APC80 Controlled Demolition Edition

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APC80 Controlled Demolition Edition
Posted on: 17.06.2010 by
exegi monumentum aere perennius.
-horatius



no rocket science, just made a big tank out of two small tanks. they're connected internally (4 small screws, 2 fat ones) and externally (bottom steel plate), seamless and sturdy as hell. at the moment each unit runs off a separate power supply and they're connected via a passive usb hub (no better solution for that I guess), but it works - and I'm currently digging through the awesome possibilities within maxforlive and looks like I'll be getting a one-off faceplate from djs face
Lewis Stumpf
26.12.2010
Awesome mod.

Could you put up some pictures of the insides, maybe something of how the screws keep them together?

If you're interested, I'm sure someone here could help you power them off just one supply, and maybe get an internal USB hub going.
Lilliana Perris
26.12.2010
Originally Posted by keeb
As far as traktor - while you _could_ potentially use that many buttons, I believe you'd be hard pressed to do so. Even with an APC40 and a VCI-100 I have pretty much everything I need covered easily in terms of buttons.
Agreed...thats what I have now.

What I thought would be sick....would be a load of insta FX. Thats the next thing I am looking into setting up for myself.
Danae Dumler
26.12.2010
I don't believe the end of year sale applies unless you get the Block along with the Code.
Vernie Beharry
25.12.2010
If there was a DJTT award for "Mod(ification) of the year", this would win hands down!!!

Great, great work!
Earlean Kuhnke
25.12.2010
awesome. thanks for the advice

25.12.2010
Originally Posted by 3LAU
I guess it would have to be your template, which could get messy if we don't have your vst's/AU's.
I don't even HAVE a template every liveset is different for me. there are some things I keep reusing, some clever audio and MIDI routings and "default" mappings I can use without believeing - but with a controller like this and a software like ableton live, it's really best if you dig through the many excellent tutorials out there and make your own, one that fits your individual workflow and creative approach. I've never seen two people use the same template in live, there are too many different ways to use it effectively...

Originally Posted by 3LAU
I was just curious if you've programmed any script for bome's or something that we could maybe use as well, that somehow betters how the two controllers interact.
nope, I'm sorry. combination mode (introduced in live 8.1.4., will cover that in the screencast) takes care of everything I need. there's some stuff I'm planning to realize with m4l (got a couple of good-looking drafts done), but since I don't have too much spare time to reverse-engineer stuff at the moment, I'm still waiting for an official control_surface object documentation from ableton and cycling. their official statement is that it's constantly being revised and they don't have a version they can hand out yet. maybe I'm not important enough yet, will work to change that one thing's for sure though, if I end up making something cool I'm definitely gonna share it just as I did with the APC80. no reason to keep secrets - power to the people!

Originally Posted by 3LAU
Since both the APC20/40 are powered by an ac adapter, have you run into problems with your USB power? If you have a soundcard / APC40 / APC 20 all hooked up? I've run into some trouble with that before, but the devices i've used were USB powered, so I assume if the APC40/20 are just transmitting midi data it shouldn't be too bad.
no issues at all. when I'm working on stuff at home, I have a truckload of stuff connected to the laptop (4 controllers, a synth, an interface, a backlit keyboard and a wireless mouse) and it all works beautifully. I'd say the general rule is: if your devices have AC adapters, use them and you shouldn't run into trouble.
Earlean Kuhnke
25.12.2010
Originally Posted by ctrld

to my knowledge, you can't export them from ableton live except maybe by saving a blank liveset - but they would be utterly useless unless you had the exact same set structure, audio routings and plugins as I do...
Yea... i didn't even believe about that. I guess it would have to be your template, which could get messy if we don't have your vst's/AU's. I was just curious if you've programmed any script for bome's or something that we could maybe use as well, that somehow betters how the two controllers interact. So ya, the exact mappings would require the full template.

Still, I'm really excited about this! if only there was a way to connect the two devices with a midi through so your not on a passive USB port.

Since both the APC20/40 are powered by an ac adapter, have you run into problems with your USB power? If you have a soundcard / APC40 / APC 20 all hooked up? I've run into some trouble with that before, but the devices i've used were USB powered, so I assume if the APC40/20 are just transmitting midi data it shouldn't be too bad.

I'm believeing now that i've found this i'm gonna buy myself an APC 20 and then take advantage of Livid's end of the year deal on the code, and that would be my new setup: http://www.lividinstruments.com/hardware_code.php

Each row of faders would be 1/4 deck's fx, with the push buttons as send kill switches or something, who knows! The code retails for 450, but the end of the year sale discounts 150, so it's 300. Steep for a controller, but its so cool! The whole setup would be a great alternative to two monome's and a set of knobs at the center (which was my original plan), and that gets expensive!

25.12.2010
Originally Posted by 3LAU
I'm copying you, and giving you credit.
thank you just a couple more days 'til the vid goes online...

Originally Posted by 3LAU
Any chance you want to export those MIDI mappings?
sorry, but... which mappings? I don't believe I have any that I could export. as I said before, I don't use the APC80 with traktor - and inside ableton live, I have a different controller mapping for each liveset. to my knowledge, you can't export them from ableton live except maybe by saving a blank liveset - but they would be utterly useless unless you had the exact same set structure, audio routings and plugins as I do...
Ling Zambada
25.12.2010
Originally Posted by 3LAU
Any chance you want to export those MIDI mappings?
+1
Earlean Kuhnke
25.12.2010
This looks unreal.... I was looking into the Ohm64, but since I currently have the 40, the 40/20 combo is amazing. With the isotonik... the possibilities are endless. I'm copying you, and giving you credit. Can't wait for the vid and...

Any chance you want to export those MIDI mappings?
Ok Moroski
24.12.2010
As far as traktor - while you _could_ potentially use that many buttons, I believe you'd be hard pressed to do so. Even with an APC40 and a VCI-100 I have pretty much everything I need covered easily in terms of buttons.

24.12.2010
Originally Posted by sarasin
Just a question...probably been asked, but do you need to use your TSI etc for this APC80?
I don't know - it's a controller with a layout optimized for ableton live, so it never occured to me to use it with traktor. it's possible (I'm sure I remember someone posting a decent APC mapping recently) with a significant amount of effort, but I'm just too lazy to try it because my TSP controller combo already works perfectly.

Originally Posted by weltraumpapst
looking foward to the vid..
so am I - I haven't seen it yet myself. I can tell you that there will be two parts: one - a normal tutorial with two cams looking over my shoulder as I build the controller and explain what I am doing (this part is done). two - a follow-up screencast in which I briefly explain why I built it this way, how to set it up in ableton and why it's awesome (this is planned for sunday).

the finished vid (or vids, we might upload the parts separately depending on the differences in footage quality) will be online around NYE.
robin loo
21.12.2010
looking foward to the vid..
Lilliana Perris
20.12.2010
SAME!



Just a question...probably been asked, but do you need to use your TSI etc for this APC80?

For instance, I have an APC40 and got my own mapping etc.

Could I keep using mine as per usual and just add another mapping for the adding APC20?

Or how does it work?

Cuz...i also want this beast!

Random X
20.12.2010
Nice man!
Clementina Magbual
20.12.2010
You could send it to me ;D

Looking forward to the vids bro.

19.12.2010
excellent. we finished shooting earlier today, I'll leave the editing to the pros - sadly I can't tell you if everything's gonna be wrapped up before xmas, but I might do an additional mini-screencast within the next couple of days to round it up and then it's gonna be a pretty neat little tutorial with close-up shots and every single step explained in detail.

incidentally, I'm also proud to announce that I have successfully built another APC80 and it's just as beautiful as the first one. we're still believeing about what to do with it... more info soon
Clementina Magbual
18.12.2010
That works nicely seeming I'm buying myself an APC40/20 pair for christmas :P

18.12.2010
update: I'm now on my way to delamar and we'll be doing the video tomorrow. it was supposed to happen today, but then deutsche bahn* happened (I hate those fuckers, seriously - IDA world was their fault, too) so we had to adjust the schedule.

if everything works out as planned, the video will be my xmas present to you guys

*) german rail. they've been fucking up constantly as if a little goddamn snow was such a big problem. duh, it's winter... you've had a whole fucking year to prepare...

30.11.2010
it's good for the workflow when you're triggering stuff on both sides while working the knobs in the center. easier to focus on "where" you are in your set. plus it looks more symmetrical, even though it's in fact slightly off.

production of the video has been confirmed today. the only thing left to figure out is the date. most likely gonna happen before 2011 - in other words, soon.
Jacquiline Dua
30.11.2010
also just picked up an apc20 for 120$ on amazon.
Im just wondering how this would fit in a backpack or case if they were combined. I definitely like how you put the apc20 on the opposite side of the knobs.. like a 16 channel battle mixer from hell
Clementina Magbual
28.11.2010
Originally Posted by ctrld
it's as good as confirmed - there will be an APC80 build tutorial, probably before christmas. but IDA world comes first
Good karma to you!! Stoked to hear!
Random X
28.11.2010
Nice! That will be a follow up on my blog bro'!

27.11.2010
it's as good as confirmed - there will be an APC80 build tutorial, probably before christmas. but IDA world comes first
Clementina Magbual
22.11.2010
You should definitely do it, I'm quite keen to do the surgery on an APC 40/20 pair soon ;D
Ling Zambada
22.11.2010
Originally Posted by ctrld
but we're currently talking about making a "how to build an apc80" video which would of course be in english, or at least properly subtitled.
AWESOME I've been too scared to disassemble both of mine :/
Random X
21.11.2010
Ghehehehehe. You sure are bro'!

Hope to talk to you any time soon on IcQ bro'!
Tatum Ansaldo
21.11.2010
Originally Posted by ctrld
I'm actually a nice person offline. my 4 arms, 3 dicks and 5 tongues only exist on the internet.
lol Everyone has a dual personality online and off!

21.11.2010
Originally Posted by Tekki
You and humble, can't believe it mate!
I'm actually a nice person offline. my 4 arms, 3 dicks and 5 tongues only exist on the internet.
Random X
21.11.2010
Originally Posted by ctrld
in related news, a video interview with my humble self is up on http://www.delamar.de
You and humble, can't believe it mate!
Tatum Ansaldo
21.11.2010
Nice video man, I'm surprised and delighted that even after a summer of drinking and a month in Spain I can still understand german

21.11.2010
in related news, a video interview with my humble self is up on http://www.delamar.de includes a bit of the beatbattle showcase set. in my excuse, this was recorded at 11am and I was barely awake, but hey.

since delamar is a german site, the interview is in german, but we're currently talking about making a "how to build an apc80" video which would of course be in english, or at least properly subtitled.
Ling Zambada
16.10.2010
Originally Posted by oscarjmg
Dude... I need to know how to remove the side panels.

I removed the screws but they remain there....

The external screws don't fully release the side panels. They're also screwed in on the inside. You need to open the whole thing up to take off the side panels.
Aurea Kager
16.10.2010
Dude... I need to know how to remove the side panels.

I removed the screws but they remain there....

15.10.2010
yes, they do. it's called "combination mode" and it is active by default in every live version from 8.1.4 on*. here is a screenshot of the MIDI settings required for this to work.



note that I've disabled the "remote" option for the 20. that way I can custom map the 40's knobs and faders without the controls conflicting with those on the 20. there probably is a clever way to accomplish entirely independent custom mappings for the APCs, maybe with M4L or some MIDI routing tool... but I don't need it (I mean... the abundance of everything on this beast! plus there's note mode on the 20 which gives you another layer of triggers) and I'm far too lazy to try messing with it

*) you can also disable combination mode by adding a parameter to live's config file, but would you really want to?
Clementina Magbual
15.10.2010
Bit of a curiousity I have that I hope you can answer ctrld: Do the track selection buttons on the APC20 work with the APC40s device control knobs? As in, if you selected a track on the APC20's rows, do the device control knobs on the APC40 become active for that selected tracks device rack? The research I've done tells me that it doesn't but seeming you've actually done this I figure you may know for certain.

Cheers bro, hope you can answer that one
Brittaney Maxedon
15.10.2010
Would it not go better if you join the two at the other end from Controlleddemolition? then you would have a mega bank of buttons covering all your clips?

14.10.2010
@virtual unknown: wow! thanks, man. I am honored.

Originally Posted by djsakebomb
My APC20 just got here, now it's time to get dirty I'm so excited!!!

ah I remember you asked me some stuff via PM, sorry for not responding to that!

I might as well make it public, but be warned: if you want to make this mod, you will need to void your warranty. that means, not only will you need to completely open the units, you will also need to irreparably damage the chassis. the cost of the parts you will need to buy is relatively low, but you will need a number of screws and a solid steel plate for the bottom because screwing them together will not be stable enough.

should I make a video on this? I might actually make some time during the next two weeks. I won't open this beast up again but I guess I could walk you through the steps.
Carline Whichard
14.10.2010
This is the kind of ingenuity and believeing outside the box that will define this generation of Djs. Djs who are not satisfied with the next best this or the latest that. Those who push the envelope in design and inevitably in their performances. Thinking like this will define this generation from the djs that came before them. Djranking s is so important to this NEW DIY Style and Im always amazed at what i see here.

Keep Hacking Brotha and "be on point for the future shock"!

Originally Posted by ctrld
turntables are the best kind of jogwheel after all
...........gotta respect this mans believeing!
Lilliana Perris
14.10.2010
You gonna mash em?


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