Akai Professional APC40 mkII Ableton Live Performance Controller

The APC40 mkII from Akai Professional is a hardware controller designed to work with Ableton Live software in a one-to-one integration, and makes significant improvements over the previous version. A few of those include an RGB clip-launching grid, reinforced fader design, revised knob lay out, and more. The controller comes pre-mapped to Live for an instant performance and production setup.

The 5 x 8 RGB clip-launching grid is designed to launch clips and create or perform songs from the ground up using the forty responsive triggers. RGB lighting provides visual feedback and displays three clip statuses—loaded, playing, and recording. Clips can also be color-coded with the RGB lighting for better visual organization.

Nine assignable reinforced faders and eight assignable channel control knobs are arranged in-line with each channel for an intuitive layout and smarter workflow. The eight Device Control knobs make it easy to tweak device parameters and also light up to provide visual feedback from each parameter. In addition, the Sends button enables users to cycle through all eight send buses right from the controller.

The A/B crossfader has also been reworked and can be assigned and re-assigned without having to touch the mouse. All of controls can be re-assigned on the fly for customized setups that change with a performance or production style. USB power with plug-and-play connectivity allows for taking the unit from the studio to the stage or wherever.

A software music production suite includes Ableton Live, two virtual synthesizers—Hybrid 3 by AIR Music Tech and SONiVOX’s Wobble, along with 5 GB of samples and loops for immediate out-of-the-box music creation. The Puremagnetik Effect Racks features over two hundred audio effects, while five Toolroom artist launch packs and five Prime Loops sample packs feature a mix of electronic music.