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The all-new APC40 mkII | Akai Professionalplay button

The all-new APC40 mkII | Akai Professional

Akai Pro APC40 mkII Performance featuring Carl Ragplay button

Akai Pro APC40 mkII Performance featuring Carl Rag

Akai Professional

collapse expand iconDescription

The Akai Professional APC40 MKII is an all-new Ableton Live controller designed with input from users and the creators of Ableton Live themselves. Building on the original APC40, the MKII provides an intuitive and powerful instrument to link your musical inspiration directly to your Ableton Live setup. The APC40 MKII comes with Ableton Live Lite, virtual synthesizers and professional sample packs to get you started making music right away.

Seamless Ableton Live Integration

The APC40 MKII is pre-mapped to Ableton Live for an instant performance and production setup. Simply plug in the APC40 MKII and its controls map directly to Ableton Live with no configuration required. All controls are also re-assignable on the fly for customized setups that change with your needs. Whether performing live, composing, recording or remixing, the APC40 MKII places intuitive control of Ableton Live at your fingertips.

Visual Feedback Through a RGB Clip-Launching Grid

The APC40 MKII features a 5x8 RGB clip-launching grid that provides visual feedback to intelligently perform without looking at your computer. Launch clips and create or remix music from the ground up with 40 responsive triggers. The RGB lighting displays three clip statuses – loaded, playing and recording – so you know the status of each clip at a glance. You can also color code your clips for advanced visual organization and use the Shift button and directional arrows to manipulate the scope of the 5x8 grid.

Reinforced Faders and Knobs for Extended Control

The APC40 MKII provides total hands-on control with nine reinforced faders, eight channel control knobs and eight device control knobs. The faders and knobs are arranged inline with each channel for an intuitive layout and smarter workflow. The device control knobs make it easy to tweak device parameters and light up to provide visual feedback of each parameter. In addition, the Sends button enables cycling through all eight send busses right from the APC40 MKII. The reworked A/B crossfader can also be assigned and re-assigned without touching the mouse.

Included Production Suite

The APC40 MKII comes with essential tools for music production, including Ableton Live Lite, two high-definition virtual synthesizers and 5GB of professional samples and loops. Ableton Live Lite allows you to spontaneously compose, record, remix and edit your musical ideas. The included Puremagnetik Effect Racks provide over 200 audio effects for sound design. Hybrid 3 is a virtual synth for electronic music producers and DJs to create sounds from retro synth to modern leads. SONiVOX Twist uses a dynamic interface and advanced pattern generator to create serious sounds with simple controls. Five Toolroom artist launch packs and five Prime Loops sample packs offer loops, drum kits and one-shots to jumpstart your creativity.

Akai Professional APC40 MKII Ableton Live Controller
Akai Professional APC40 MKII Ableton Live Controller

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • Provides hands-on control of Ableton Live
  • Seamlessly integrates 1 to 1 with Ableton Live
  • 5x8 clip-launch matrix with RGB feedback for clip status and color coding
  • 9 channel faders, 8 control knobs, and 8 device controls interface with Ableton Live
  • USB-powered and plug-and-play connectivity for Mac and PC
  • Sends button for quick access to 8 send buses
  • Assignable A/B crossfader for dynamic mixing on the fly
  • Shift button and directional arrows manipulate the scope of the grid
  • Revised knob layout with in-line controls for streamlined workflow
  • Production package included: Ableton Live Lite with Puremagnetik Effect Racks, Hybrid 3 by AIR Music Tech, SONiVOX Twist, Prime Loops sample packs, and Toolroom Records artist launch packs (downloads)

collapse expand iconSpecs

System Requirements
  • Macintosh: Intel Mac with Mac OS X 10.5, 10.6, 10.7, 10.8, or 10.9
  • PC: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8; multicore processor; 2 GB RAM; Windows compatible sound card (ASIO driver support recommended), QuickTime recommended
  • Available USB Port

Featured Articles

collapse expand iconReviews

4

8 Reviews

67%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Practicing2
  2. Peformance1
  3. Production1
  4. Concerts1
  5. Ableton1
Cons
  1. Faders Grind1
  2. One Trick Pony1
  3. Weak Firmware1
Describe Yourself
  1. Novice3
  2. Experienced2
  3. Professional Musician1
Pros
  1. Easy To Use5
  2. Functional3
  3. Good Quality3
  4. Improves Sound1
  5. Plug and play1
  • Slimmer design does not make up for removed functionality.

    2

    submitted7 years ago

    byDJ Disappointed

    fromLos Angeles, California

    I've been using the older model of the APC40 for about 5 years. Last year it was stolen out of my car, so I decided to upgraded to the newer, slim model. I was excited that the controller had been made much slimmer and more compact, also no longer needs it's own power supply, yet still has the exact same amount of control surfaces (knobs, faders, and pads). However, I was sorely disappointed. The newer, APC40 mk2 removed a lot of functionality that made me love the APC40 in the first place. Custom mapping is extremely limited. Most of the mappings I had set up on my old controller do not work with this controller. For example, I had mapped a column of pads to specific BPMs (120, 110, 100 bpm, etc). However on the new controller, with this mapping NONE of the other pads work, not even for triggering scenes, except for the bottom row. I have emailed Akai about 8 times regarding this issue to no luck. The extent of their response is basically, "well it's already mapped so you shouldn't have to map anything." Another loss of functionality I was sorely disappointed by is that global BPM settings mapped to two different control surfaces no longer sync with each other. For example, on my original APC40, I had global BPM mapped to a fader - to simulate using a traditional DJ Controller - as well as a knob. If the fader adjusted the BPM, the knob would automatically adjust with it. This way, if I adjust BPM from the knob, it smoothly adjusts and doesn't "snap" the BPM to the place the knob is set. For whatever reason, that doesn't work with the mk2 sadly. When I adjust BPM using a fader, say from 120 to 90, if I then use the knob to adjust BPM, it immediately snaps back to 120. Overall I am extremely disappointed in the mk2 and it does not work as any kind of improvement for my rig. I have also become extremely disapointed by Akai's lack of support and will be switching to another company for my next controller.

  • Good job Akai

    4

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted7 years ago

    bySpicy fingers

    fromColorado Springs

    Use w ableton ...needed a controller that was a good price. more like gear than just a pad . Like actual knobs and faders . Like akai, could use some added buttons and inputs . Like the tap tempo. Over all good

  • APC40 for the win!

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted7 years ago

    byANGELO

    fromundisclosed

    Fast shipping and product has been such a great addition to my VJ live set

  • no cons all pros

    5

    submitted8 years ago

    byDUCK SAUCE MAN GAMING

    fromLAFAYETTE LA

    all pros

  • Amazing Machine

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted8 years ago

    byFernando

    fromundisclosed

    Get it has been one of my best ideas

  • Sync-plicity

    4

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted9 years ago

    byGustavo

    fromInland empire

    picked this over the push. I like the faders on the MkII but all depends on what your trying to do...high recommend it though

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collapse expand iconQ&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • asked byArexity

    fromYerevan, Armenia

    It doesn't mention that it's supported by Windows 10. Maybe it isn't?

    It doesn't mention that it's supported by Windows 10. Maybe it isn't?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    It isn't.