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Akai APC40 Abelton Performance Controller

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Brand Akai

Type Electronics

Release Date 2009-06-01

List Price $599.00

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Description

Ableton Exist performance, perfected. The APC40 is the world’s finest Ableton Exist control surface. Ableton and Akai Professional worked in a joint partnership to do the APC40 the ideal Ableton Exist control surface. Whether you are an electronic-music performance artist and Exist is your canvass, a DJ utilizing Exist to mix tracks, or a traditional musician utilizing Exist on stage or in the studio, the APC40 is intended for intuitive, great control. DIRECT DESIGN For the reason that Akai Professional and Ableton intended the APC40 for Exist, you don’t want to map its controls to speak to the software. Just connect your laptop to the APC40 together with its USB cable and you're ready to do magic. The APC40 is class compliant, so you don't even want to install drivers. And if you’re an complex Exist customer, the APC40 provides you the capability to remap each one of its controls to suit your own style. VIRTUAL VIEW The APC40 talks directly to Exist and Exist talks directly to the APC40. This special bidirectional communication makes the APC40 an complex controller in this it can get feedback from the software and display it on its clip matrix of 40 triggers and on LED rings surrounding every knob. The clip matrix provides you an instantaneous view of clip status: what's loaded, what's playing, and what's being recorded. Every state displays on the matrix in a different color so you can get a fast image of clip state. You can shift your clip focus and get an overview of the clips you have loaded for your set. The APC40 has 16 knobs, every surrounded by a ring of LEDs. These LED rings do seeing your environments a breeze on dark stages, indicating the currently selected parameters’ values. This complex visual feedback makes performing together with the APC40 focused extra on the music and less on squinting at the computer screen. In fact, you might even not recall this the computer is there! PREMIUM CONTROLS Ableton selected Akai Professional as a associate for the reason that of its leadership position in excellent-feeling controllers this are rock solid, rugged, and precise. From the legendary MPC series this changed the way music is made to the industry-standard MPD and MPK controllers, Akai Professional is revered by musicians, DJs, and producers everywhere for creating the feel this powers their creativity. The APC40 is built together with a rugged, metal chassis and slip-proof rubber detailing. Knobs and faders are solid and precise for pinpoint performance. It even features a high excellence, replaceable crossfader. CREATIVE CONTROL The APC40 comes together with a exclusive edition of Ableton Exist Lite so you can use it out of the box even if you’re new to Exist. There's in addition a free patch this upgrades full versions of Exist so if you're already a Exist customer, you can get full advantage of the APC40. The APC40 has two banks of eight knobs. The first set controls Global parameters so you’ll always have instantaneous access to your main sends, pans, and other essentials. The second bank of eight knobs is dynamically reassigned to the Track you pick and choose. You can control eight track parameters at a time, and as you switch channels, the Track knobs follow your focus. You in addition get exclusive clip-status views and feedback this only the APC40's matrix can display. The matrix is not limited to only 40 clips: you can scroll and shift, enabling access to an unlimited number of cells. The APC40 has a wide range of controllers. The eight Global knobs can access four banks of controls; the eight Track knobs control nine different track parameters every. This provides you a massive total of 72 controllers this are dynamically reassigned. Channel faders, bus faders, and a crossfader provide you smooth control of key values. You have even extra control power together with exclusive controls counting Tap Tempo, Tempo Nudge, record enables, solo/cues and two assignable footswitch inputs. Intended in partnership together with Ableton, the APC40 is the much complex Exist controller for the much complex performers.

Working in partnership together with software developer Ableton, the Akai APC40 Performance Controller proposes a control surface this's specifically intended for performance together with Ableton Exist software. Intended to be a great, intuitive controller for electronic music performance artists, DJs, hip-hop producers and traditional musicians utilizing Ableton Exist on stage and in the studio, the Akai APC40 converts your experience from one of constructing tracks together with software on a computer to one of fluid, effortless, musical creation.

Specifically intended for performance together with Ableton Exist software (see big picture).

Professional feel together with rugged, metal chassis and premium controls (see big picture).

Requires no mapping for direct control of Exist, and is fully re-mappable for complex-customer customization (see big picture).

Key Features

Intended in partnership together with Ableton for Ableton Exist
Distinctive clip matrix together with multicolor lighting displays existing clip status
No mapping necessary; each knob, button, and fader is customizable
Bidirectional communication between APC40 and Ableton Exist
Solid, professional feel together with rugged, metal chassis and premium controls
Comes together with Akai APC40 edition of Ableton Exist Lite, free upgrade patch for full versions of Exist
Works together with standalone editions of Ableton Exist
Works together with much MIDI recording, sequencing, and performance software
USB plug-and-have fun connection for Mac and PC
Premium controller together with rugged, metal chassis

Direct Design
For the reason that Akai Professional and Ableton intended the APC40 specifically for Ableton Exist, you don't want to map its controls to speak to the software. Just connect your laptop to the APC40 via USB--thanks to its plug and have fun abilities, you won't want to install any drivers. It comes pre-mapped for instantaneous use together with Ableton Exist software, so if you're new to it, you'll locate utilizing the APC40 to be simple to get all-around on. And if you're an experienced Exist customer, you'll be happy to note this you can custom-map each single knob, button, and fader on the APC40 to fully customize the controls for the way you like to work.

Virtual View
For the reason that of the bidirectional communication between the APC40 and Ableton Exist software, the APC40 can get feedback from the software and display it on its clip matrix of 40 triggers and on LED rings surrounding every knob. The clip matrix provides you an instantaneous view of clip status: what's loaded, what's playing, and what's being recorded. Every state displays on the matrix in a different color so you can get a fast image of clip state. You can shift your clip focus and get an overview of the clips you have loaded for your set.

The APC40 has 16 knobs, every surrounded by a ring of LEDs. These LED rings do it simple to see your environments on dark stages, indicating the currently selected parameters' values.

Premium Feel
The APC40 is built together with a rugged, metal chassis and slip-proof rubber detailing. All of the knobs and faders are solid and precise for pinpoint performance. It even features a high excellence, replaceable crossfader for transitioning between clips and loops assigned to "A" or "B."

Creative Control
The APC40 comes together with Ableton Exist Akai Professional APC40 Edition software, which is fully functional for performance and production. Owners of standalone editions of Ableton Exist 7 or 8 can in addition work flawlessly together with the APC40. Exist 7 together with the latest automatic update has full support for the APC40 and all versions of Exist 8 are APC40-ready.

The APC40 has two banks of eight knobs. The first set controls Global parameters so you'll always have instantaneous access to your main sends, pans, and other essentials. The second bank of eight knobs is dynamically reassigned to the Track you pick and choose. You can control eight track parameters at a time, and as you switch channels, the Track knobs follow your focus. For example, you might be working together with the Beat Decoder on track two. When you switch to track four, the eight Track knobs this you had been controlling the Beat Decoder together with are now controlling the Flangeverb on track four. You'll even notice this the environments for every knob load on the light rings so you'll immediately see every knob's status.

The APC40 in addition enables exclusive clip-status views and feedback this only the APC40's matrix can display. The matrix is not limited to only 40 clips: you can scroll and shift, enabling you to access, control, and perform together with an unlimited number of cells.

The APC40 has a wide range of controllers. The eight Global knobs can access four banks of controls; the eight Track knobs control nine different track parameters every. This provides you a massive total of 72 controllers this are dynamically reassigned every time you switch tracks. Channel faders, bus faders, and a crossfader provide you smooth control of key values. You have even extra control power together with exclusive controls counting Tap Tempo, Tempo Nudge, record enables, solo/cues, and two assignable footswitch inputs.

Specifications

Dimensions: 16.88 x 13.13 x 2.62 inches (WxDxH)
Weight: 5.8 pounds
Power source: 12V 2.0A pin-positive, integrated
Communication: USB-MIDI together with proprietary hardware/software handshake
Inputs: USB, Two assignable footswitch inputs
Mac system requirements: G4 or faster/Intel Mac recommended, 512 MB RAM/1 GB recommended, OS 10.3.9, 10.4 or later. recommended, QuickTime 6.5 or higher, DVD-ROM drive, USB port
PC system requirements: 1.5 GHz or faster, 512 MB RAM/1 GB recommended, Windows XP or Vista, Windows-compatible sound card/ASIO driver support recommended, QuickTime 6.5 or higher, DVD-ROM drive, USB port

Customer Reviews

Akai APC40 Performance Controller 2010-01-30

By Rudimar L. Rayos (Colorado Springs, CO)

well built and solid. all the knobs and faders feel smooth. there's no other midi device that works better than this one with abelton live. it's a must have. I'll be swapping out the plastic knobs with nicer metal ones. other than that I feel that this is money well spent. the programming is endless and works flawlessly right out the box with ableton.

Perfect Ableton hardware, software needs catching up though.. 2009-12-13

By Takahashii (Wageningen, Netherlands)

I started my keyboard hobby with a Casio CTK4000 (still loving it) but eventually wanted more out of the experience. SO I decided to to look deeper into sequencing software. After testing several programs I ended up with Ableton Live since it lets you *do* things without having to go over endless amounts of settings and controls in order to produce results. But since controlling Live using a keyboard can be quite tedious and I also wanted to get a licensed version I decided to grab the APC40.

It should be obvious by now that the APC40 is a MIDI controller which is fully aimed at Ableton Live. Not surprising if you realize that APC stands for Ableton Professional Controller. But do keep this in mind because there are specific key features which this devices "protects". In other words; options which will only work when connecting it with Ableton Live.

The first thing you'll notice when picking this critter up is that it feels very solid. Its about 3kg in weight, so don't expect any cheap plastics in here ;-) The whole thing is quite robust; the sides have sturdy hard-rubber strips attached to them which protects the device from impacts. All controllers feel very solid, however you'll soon notice that the cross fader feels "different". Thats all part of the rugged design; they expect some tear on the cross fader (which is said to be able to withstand some abuse) and if it eventually should break; no sweat. You don't have to replace the entire device; simply remove the cross fader and replace it with another. Thats right: you can easily replace it by removing 2 screws, then you can simply detach it from the APC40. Now thats a smart design in my opinion!

The APC40 handles itself very well with Ableton Live. My version shipped with Live 7, but also had a leaflet which allowed me to upgrade to 8. The latest Live version will have no problem with picking up the controller, and you'll be done setting things up in no time.

Unfortunately there are a few caveats here and there.. Sometimes it can be a little hard to discover the logic behind certain settings. For example; the knobs on the lower right of the device control the several effects or software instruments. It can be a little disorienting to sometimes see a knob on the right actually steer a controller on the left of the screen.

Another small caveat can be found when controlling devices which have several sections. As soon as you control such a section (for example a separate oscillator in the Operator instrument) the controls will work flawlessly; but don't be surprised if you don't see anything changing on your screen. Although you now control another oscillator the screen isn't always updated.

But apart from these small glitches I have to say that the APC40 fully delivers on what it claims to hold. It is more expensive that the Novation pad but then again it also has to offer more. If your goal is to easily and quickly control Live without having to look at your screen all the time, to have the same options for tweaking controls like cutoff, sustain, release like on any hardware synthesizer AND to gain full control over your Live sets then this is really the controller go grab. What you see is what you get, personally I prefer this "no brainer" approach over other alternatives where you always need to think if what you are looking at is actually that which you expected.

Absolutely Wonderful 2009-12-04

By D. Becker (Arizona)

There are a lot of controllers out there but none that are as perfectly suited for use with Ableton.
I DJ and do production work with Ableton and I couldn't ask for a more perfect controller.
Once you start using it, you'll wonder how you made do with anything else.

Not all it's cracked up to be 2009-10-11

By Flynn Joffray (Vashon, WA)

So, I got this little gizmo because I had taken a trip and needed another controller for a show. After messing around with it for an entire night, I can say it has it's pros and cons.

pros:
its really really easy to use. the apc40 is a pretty intuitive piece of equiptment. You just plug it in and go, it really is that simple.

cons:
If you have OSX, you are stuck with the "akai" version of ableton. Have fun NOT using that. You can't map anything unless you have Max for Live, and so forget trying to set other buttons. In my opinion, it doesn't have enough effects options, or options for anything else.

If you are smart and use Live for more than just switching audio clips (lol), than you probably want to look for something different.

Also, i'm sure this is something that will be fixed in the future, but there are some major latency and selection bugs when using knobs and faders quickly, if you are a fast moving DJ than you do NOT want thing.

Overall:
get it and try it out, its a really cool piece of hardware, just not developed enough.

Solid build, intuitive use. 2009-10-05

By Bjørn Borud (Trondheim, Norway)

The APC40 feels like a quality product. The knobs and sliders have good feel, the buttons are precise. The integration with the software (Ableton Live 8) is surprisingly intuitive and I managed to figure out how to use the APC40 within a few minutes of playing around with it.

The only thing I am missing is some more visual cues that makes it easier to see which "track control" knobs belong to which track. A backlit LCD might be a good idea for the next revision.

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