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COMPARA TIVE REVIEW compact size, lightweight form factor and its solid, flat, non-skid bottom are definitely appealing. It is even possible to wow the crowd by holding it in your hand while triggering samples. While USB powered, you will need a USB hub in order to gang multiple units together. The Akai APC20 The Akai APC20is a slimmed down, more pad-centric version of the original Ableton controller, the $399 APC40. In addition to its 5x8 clip launch/session overview pads, it also has rows of dedicated pads for scene launching, clip stop, solo/cue, track activation, and arming, as well as buttons for shift and mode. It also has eight volume/pan sliders (non-motorized), a master slider, and a cue level rotary knob. Its steel and plastic construction has a solid feel. It is heavy for its size but well suited for a studio table and is clearly designed for efficient production work. The sliders are a nice touch but as they are not motorized, they will not reflect any changes made via a mouse or other linked controller. The unit includes an external power supply as it cannot run on USB alone. Nevertheless, it is a highly capable device that poses a serious challenge to the Launchpad. Footprint In most clubs stage space is very limited, which means that your laptop is most likely sitting on a plank on the top tier of a keyboard stand, with little room to spare for additional devices. In this regard, the Launchpad is the clear winner. The combination of its large pads, its flat bottom with large non-skid feet, and its small 9 1/2" square footprint are a very powerful combination and it is possible to have multiple units side by side. In contrast, the APC20 has 1/2" pads, a single tap. While the pads on the Launchpad are generic in nature, the well-labeled sections on the APC20 help you to keep track of where you are. Which one rules? At first glance, the APC20 appears to be the hands-down winner but the Launchpad does have a lot going in its favor. In a studio setting, the APC20 is definitely ahead. Its dedicated function rows are logically designed and reminiscent of a mixing desk, plus its sliders, cue function, and its larger number of control buttons are certainly handy. In contrast, the chameleon-like nature of the Launchpad is quite appealing and its size, stability, and its larger and more numerous pads make it ideal for live performance. Visit the websites, play the videos, and draw your own conclusions. Both are worthy contenders and either would go far in enhancing your control of Ableton Live. footprint of 11 1/2" x 13", and an arched bottom with narrow front and back edges and tiny non-skid feet. In a live performance situation you will need a very deep stand or you will need to glue a piece of non-skid shelf liner to the bottom. Navigation In session view, the relationship between the clips and the pads on either device is indicated by a red box that surrounds the group of clips on screen (40 clips for the APC20 and 64 clips for the Launchpad). Both products allow you to step or page vertically and horizontally across the grid of clips and they can provide a bird’s eye view in which each grid within a massive array of clips can be displayed as a single pad, making it possible to instantly jump to any location in the arrangement with a Product Launchpad From Novation Price $199 Pros Lightweight, stable, 8x8 grid, larger pads, better navigation Cons Basic feature set Rating ★★★★ Product APC20 From Akai Professional Price $199 Pros Physical sliders, dedicated command rows, solid construction Cons Larger size, 5x8 grid, small pads Rating ★★★★★ 56 MacDirectory

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