Every Setback (Live with Akai APC40 mk2) [Funky Breakbeat]
Channel: Masaki Okamoto
Date: 2023-12-26

My original track "Every Setback" played live with Ableton & APC40.

[About the Akai APC40 MIDI controller]
The Akai APC40 mk2 is a comprehensive control surface designed specifically for use with Ableton Live, a digital audio workstation (DAW). 

Channel Strips:
The APC40 has eight channel strips, which are sets of a knob, pads, buttons and a fader that are aligned vertically.

Pads:
The RGB backlit pads are arranged in an 8x5 grid at the heart of the APC40. These are used for launching clips in Ableton Live, although I seldom use them for this purpose. Instead, they serve me as a monitor  giving me visual feedback on the clip status, as well as the channel assignment. The green-lit pads are the ones currently playing, while the flashing ones are to be auto-launched next. They also let me know which musical part I can control in a given channel strip thanks to the color-coding of the pads. The ones in pink, for example, are usually the lead melodic instrument in my case.

Faders and Knobs:
Below this grid, there are eight channel faders and a master fader, each accompanied by a knob. These are used for precise control over the mix, allowing you to adjust volume, pan, and send levels. Each channel strip also includes a knob for device control, typically used for manipulating effects and instrument parameters.

Device Control Section:
The APC40 has a dedicated section for device control, with eight rotary faders that control the parameters of the selected device in Ableton Live. In this video, they're used for intuitive tweaking of effects such the vocoder and the hi-cut filter.

Crossfader:
The crossfader, at the bottom right, is assigned to Ableton Live’s A/B crossfade assignments. Typically, I use it to mute all the melodic/harmonic instruments, leaving only the drums and voice to be heard.

Scene Launch Buttons and Clip Stop:
On the right side of the matrix, there are buttons for launching entire scenes (rows of clips). In my case, they are used for resuming the music after I stop it temporarily at certain places like the end of a section. Below the matrix, there are clip stop buttons which can be used to stop individual clips.

[Lyrics]
[A1]
Every setback is a chance
To begin our new dance in a trance
With every step to redefine
The boundaries of the grand design

The pulse of life changes the rhyme
In a narrative, one word at a time
Our tales are a catalyst for peace
Serenity finds its release

[B1]
Every setback, every setback
Is like a ripple, ripple, ripple
Spreading your thoughts
Returning you to the simple, simple

[A2]
Every setback needs a glance
No time to grieve, so take a stance
Empathy is hard to find
Although it does make hearts align

Paint your trials with resilience
Embrace your worth, radiant brilliance
Get your wings, to horizons we go
Let fantasies flow, ambitions grow

[B2]
Every setback, every setback
Is like a ripple, ripple, ripple
Spreading your thoughts
Returning you to the simple
Simple, simple

[C]
Setback is a drag
Setback is a drag
Setback is a drag, man
But triumph’s in the bag
Triumph’s in the bag
Triumph’s in the bag
Yeah seriously

[A3]
Every setback is a breeze
To nurture you as time unfreezes
Your possibilities are open doors
Allowing your destiny to soar

Write your story like a healing balm
Help folks in hardships find the calm
Stars may flicker but they don't fade
Illuminate the path where dreams are laid

[B3]
Every setback, every setback
Is like a ripple, ripple, ripple
Spreading your thoughts
Returning you to the simple
Simple, simple

0:00 Main take
4:50 Another take

The "studio version" of this track will be part of my next album.

Aside from YouTube Music, my music is also on these platforms:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7c28M9IEmF6c9JnrtXWiK2
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/masaki-okamoto/1492681802
https://tidal.com/browse/artist/10100222
https://www.deezer.com/us/artist/15373899