Q Light Controller Plus / Forum / [Read-Only] Issues, feedbacks and ideas: APC 20 and APC 40 controller

Joep Admiraal - 2014-03-27

Daniel, do you still have to start Ableton before using the APC40? That would indicate the init message is not working correctly. What OS are you using?

If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
- Daniel Curry - 2014-03-27
  
  Last edit: Daniel Curry 2014-03-28
  
  If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
- Daniel Curry - 2014-03-27
  
  I almost always have my APC40 connected and Ableton open on my work computer anyways, so I've never had to test your script. I just tried it and it was successful on Windows 8.1. I figured it'd be easier to talk Thomas through opening and closing Ableton than getting the init script working, one less step to troubleshoot. If is still having trouble without your script, it's one less item to examine.
  
  If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:

Joep Admiraal - 2014-03-28

That's interesting.
Just to confirm, how are you setting your APC in ableton mode?
By starting ableton, or by using the init message of QLC+?
Can you make a slightly larger midi log with the init message included?

If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
- Alessandro Grechi - 2014-03-30
  
  Hello Joep,
  I dont have ableton installed, so I'm using the init message of QLC+.
  Feedback generally works (QLC replies correctly to midi event) but after that another (third) midi message is sent back from APC, so the button doesn't remain switched on.
  
  If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
  - Joep Admiraal - 2014-03-31
    
    I will get my APC20 back later this week so I can have a look at this.
    
    If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
  - Joep Admiraal - 2014-04-10
    
    I finally found some time to test with my APC20.
    The midi notes from midi monitor with my system seems similar to yours.
    
    ->STATUS: VC&APC OFF, ACTION: PUSH APC BUTTON
    20:12:56.302 From Akai APC20 Note On 3 53 127
    20:12:56.321 To Akai APC20 Note On 3 53 127
    20:12:56.353 From Akai APC20 Note Off 3 53 127
    ->RESULT: BUTTON LIGHTS UP IN APC AND VC
    
    ->STATUS: VC&APC OFF, PUSH VC BUTTON
    20:17:59.486 To Akai APC20 Note On 2 53 127
    ->RESULT: BUTTON LIGHTS UP IN APC AND VC
    
    ->STATUS: VC&APC20 BUTTON ON, PUSH APC20 BUTTON.
    20:19:00.784 From Akai APC20 Note On 2 53 127
    20:19:00.799 To Akai APC20 Note Off 2 53 0
    20:19:00.824 From Akai APC20 Note Off 2 53 127
    ->RESULT: BOTH BUTTONS OFF
    
    On my system it is working correctly. The note Off from the APC is correct. Pressing a button will send the note on and releasing it will send the note off. For some reason your APC is controlling its lights by itself instead of relying on midi messages. This indicates it is working in Generic mode instead of Ableton mode.
    
    Can you open midi monitor before starting QLC+? Then you should see something like this in midi monitor:
    
    20:26:36.487 To Akai APC20 SysEx Akai 12 bytes
    
    Please double click on this row and post the details here so I can see if the correct sysex message is send to the APC.
    
    If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
    - Alessandro Grechi - 2014-04-13
      
      Thank Joep, I tested on an APC20 and it works, so it's probably something related to sysex message which is not working on apc40.
      
      This is the message sent to apc40:
      
      00 F0 47 00 7B 60 00 04 41 09 00 05 F7 | G {` A |
      
      Schermata 04-2456761 alle 18.42.41.png
      
      If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
      - Joep Admiraal - 2014-04-15
        
        I checked the communication protocol document from http://www.akaipro.com/apc40map.
        I think the problem lies indeed in the fact that it is now sending an APC20 message.
        I attached a new midi template which coul be correct.
        Can you place it in the MidiTemplates directory and test it?
        On MacOs it is in this directory: ~/Library/Application Support/QLC+/MidiTemplates
        
        APC40.qxm
        
        If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:

thomas - 2014-04-01

i find the "problem" ... very simple -_-' !!!!

http://hpics.li/6de8c7f

If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:

Joep Admiraal - 2014-04-24

Can someone with an APC40 please verify if the new APC40.qxm is working?
I don't have the APC20 at home for much longer so I don't have a lot of testing time left.

If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
- Alessandro Grechi - 2014-04-26
  
  Sorry Joep, I didn't had the possibility to test the new profile so far. I will try it as soon as I can!
  Thank you for your help
  
  If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
- Alessandro Grechi - 2014-05-03
  
  Hello Joep, I've finally found the time to test the new init profile on my qlc & apc40, and I'm happy to say that everything works as expected! :)
  Maybe it should be inserted in the next QLC+ release (together with the apc40 midi map profile).
  
  Thank you for your help !
  
  If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:

Joep Admiraal - 2014-05-03

Great!

Thanks for testing.
I'll make a pull request for the new init message and the new profile so it's easy for Massimo to add it to an upcomming version.

If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:

Enoch Lothamer - 2014-11-10

Are you able to get led feedback on the knobs? I'm using the new APC40 MKII and I'm unable to get led feedback on the knobs. Everything else works just fine just nofeedback on the knobs. Any suggestion?

If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:

Sven Sütterlin - 2015-02-16

Hi, I hope someone can help me solving my problem. I've tried nearly all combinations (apc20 / apc40) with init script, without, note change, velocity, assigned to input / feedback... but the feedback doesn't work on the buttons.
I take my apc 20 and set it up without the init script (Play button LED is on)and I choose APC20 Profile the feedback works if I press the button in VC. If the button in VC is activated from the APC the button doesn't stay green. If I activate the init script all lights of the apc are switched off but now the feedback even doen't work if activated from VC and the LEDs stay off even in the moment I press the button.
I'm using V4.8.4 on Win7 any Ideas whats wrong?

If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
- Joep Admiraal - 2015-02-16
  
  When using the init script, do the buttons on the VC react to the button presses on the APC?
  
  If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
  - Sven Sütterlin - 2015-02-16
    
    I don't know what excactly you mean so i describe the whole reaction:
    
    If script is activated (works only for output, if only assigned to input nothing happens) and I turn off and on the midi feedback all lights on the apc go off (I guess this is the mode i should be). If I press now a button the LED stays off but I can see in VC that the midi message from the apc is sent and the button in VC is activated. If I press the button in VC the LED stays off, two.
    
    If the init script isn't activated (LED on Button 1 is green by default) the LED flashes green if pushed but it doesn't stay green. If I press the assigned button in VC the LED goes on and stays green.
    
    So -> With script no Midi Feedback; Without Script feedback only works if button is activated from VC and not if activated via MIDI
    
    If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:

Joep Admiraal - 2015-02-17

Hmm that's strange. The LEDs should indeed go out when the init message is used. I think I will have the opportunity to do some tests myself tomorrow with a Windows laptop and the APC20. One thing I was thinking about is the MIDI channel. Do you have it set to 1-16?

Last edit: Joep Admiraal 2015-02-17

If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:

Sven Sütterlin - 2015-02-17

Yes it's set to 1-16. what looks strange to me, I've 3 Lines for MIDI Devices:
1. Line is APC with ID 1 but only with input checkbox
2. Line is Ms... With ID 1 for in and output
3. Lines is APC with ID2 and only feedback and output checkbox
Sorry for the text, I'm not @ home until tomorrow so no print screen available :(

The next thing, if I click refresh i get a Midi plugin error.

If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:

Joep Admiraal - 2015-02-18

I tested it today and indeed it does not work on Windows.
I tested QLC+ 4.8.4 and 4.8.2.
On my machine I also see the APC20 as 2 separate devices.
On my Mac it is one device.
I will have to do some more testing to find out where the issue comes from.

If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:

Tavon Markov - 2015-04-08

I, too, am working on a Windoze machine and I am using an APC40. After the hoops I had to stumble through to get the machine to fully function, I find it increasingly more difficult to follow the threads detailing how to make things happen. Is the LED feedback functioning in 4.8.4 yet? If so, what options do I need to set?

If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:

Tavon Markov - 2015-04-08

I found something... If I Open my Show File, then Configure the MIDI plugin, as stated above (Both In and Out - Midi Ch 1-16, APC40 Ableton Mode 2) then SWITCH to Operate mode, then back to design mode, close QLC out, reopen the show file, reconfigure the MIDI Plugin to (Both In and Out - Midi Ch 1-16, NONE), the feedback works just as intended. This seems like a bunch of extra steps to make it work... and I can foresee many issues explaining this process to the LightOps. Is anyone else experiencing this same set of circumstances?

If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:

Tavon Markov - 2015-04-08

I certainly hope that I have not just done a ton of research and a bunch of trial and error for nothing... BUT... I may have a solution.

I found a (somewhat) elegant way to make this work. I located a Java application (find link below) that allows you to switch, manually, between the three APC40 Firmware Startup Modes. You will need to install Java 8 (find link below), which includes the Java Runtime Environment. Now, You can simply run the APC40-Mode Java application, choose "Alternate Ableton Live Mode", exit the program and then launch QLC+. This could take some getting used to, especially getting into the habit of doing this everytime the APC40 has been power-cycled, or you can automate this with a batch file.

1.) Download apc40-mode-win-linux-1.0-jfx.jar
https://github.com/sproshev/apc40-mode-win-linux/releases

2.) Download and Install Java 8
https://java.com/en/download/

3.) Move 'apc40-mode-win-linux-1.0-jfx.jar' from your "Downloads" folder into the QLC+ Program Folder (assumed to be located at "C:\QLC+".

4.) Double-Click 'apc40-mode-win-linux-1.0-jfx.jar' to test that it is in fact working with the APC40. You should be able to easily change modes, and see the change as indicated by the green LED in the 'Track Selection' row of buttons. Then close out of the editor.

5.) Create a batch file, that will first open 'apc40-mode-win-linux-1.0-jfx.jar', allow you to switch to "Alternate Ableton Live Mode", then, one you exit the editor, the batch file will automatically launch QLC+.

To create the batch file,

Open Notepad and copy+paste the following text:

@echo off mode con: cols=100 lines=3 ECHO TO USE AKAI APC40 WITH QLC+, CLICK "ALTERNATE ABLETON LIVE MODE", THEN EXIT THE EDITOR. start /wait javaw -jar C:\QLC+\apc40-mode-win-linux-1.0-jfx.jar cd: "C:\QLC+" start qlcplus.exe exit

6.) Save the file as "QLC+ Custom Startup.bat" inside of the "C:\QLC+" folder.
Change file type to 'All Files' before saving.

7.) Navigate to "C:\QLC+"

8.) Right-Click the Batch File you created, Go to 'Send to', Choose Desktop (create shortcut).

9.) If you want to make the Shortcut have the QLC+ icon, right click the Batch file shortcut and choose 'Properties', click the 'Change Icon' button. When the 'Change Icon' dialog prompts you that the file contains no icons, click "OK". The 'Change Icon' dialog appears. Click "Browse...", Again, navigate to "C:\QLC+", and then scroll down until you see qlcplus.exe. Double-click "qlcplus.exe". The icon for QLC+ appears. Click on the icon, then OK.

You will want to make sure that your AKAI APC40 is properly configured as a MIDI IN and MIDI FEEDBACK device within your universe.

I found that for this process to work, you must make sure that your MIDI Plugin does not send any INIT command. So, you will want to make sure that both Input and Output are set to "NONE".

-------------------------------------------------------- | >Outputs | | MS GS wavtable synth - MIDI Ch 1 Init Message: None | | Akai APC40 - MIDI Ch 1-16 Init Message: None | | | | >Inputs | | Akai APC40 - MIDI Ch 1-16 Init Message: None | --------------------------------------------------------

Congratulations. You now have a shortcut on your desktop that will launch the APC40 mode change Java Runtime file. You will then press "Alternate Ableton Live Mode" then Exit out of the Editor. The batch file will then start QLC+ and you are in business!
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:

Joep Admiraal - 2015-04-08

Hi Travon,

Thanks for investigating this.
Since you need the Java program to set the APC in the correct mode it seems the init functionality of QLC+ is not working correctly on Windows.
The problem with this is that I am almost unable to debug this since I don't have an APC device at home and don't have a Windows machine when I am working with the light show.

Do you know a good midi monitor program for Windows?
I did a quick search for it, but none of the programs seems to easily allow me to check which midi sysex messages are sended to the controller.
That would help me with the debugging process.

If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:

APC 20 and APC 40 controller

Forums

Help

APC 20 and APC 40 controller

APC 20 and APC 40 controller

Forums

Help

APC 20 and APC 40 controller document.SUBSCRIPTION_OPTIONS = { "thing": "topic", "subscribed": false, "url": "subscribe", "icon": { "css": "fa fa-envelope-o" } };

APC 20 and APC 40 controller