AKAI Professional Controller APC40

The AKAI Professional APC40 Controller is a high Performance Controller designed by AKAI Professional in collaboration with Ableton. Combined with Ableton Live, this unit transforms your experience from constructing tracks on a computer to fluid, musical creation. It represents the link between human and computer that perfectly balances analytical parameter control with creative expression. Whether you are a DJ using Live to mix or remix tracks, an electronic music artist or a more traditional musician using Live on stage or in the studio, you will find the AKAI Professional APC40 system to the powerful, intuitive instrument that directly links your inspiration with Ableton Live.

You don’t need to map the controls of the device to connect to Ableton Live because Akai Professional and Ableton designed the AKAI Professional APC40 Controller especially for this software. Just connect your laptop to the Controller via USB and you're ready to make magic. There's no need for installing drivers as the APC40 unit is plug and play. First-time setup includes literally three steps: load Ableton Live, plug in and power up the unit and select the AKAI Professional APC40 Controller as Ableton Live's controller. That's it. No mapping, no setup, no hassles.

The unit comes pre-mapped for instant use with Ableton Live software, so if you're new to it, you'll find using the AKAI Professional APC40 Controller to be easy to get around on. And if you’re an experienced Live user, you'll be happy to note that you can custom-map every single knob, button and fader on the unit to totally customize the controls for the way you like to work.

The AKAI Professional APC40 Controller talks directly to Ableton Live and Live talks directly to the APC40 system. This bidirectional communication makes the Controller an advanced device in that it can receive feedback from the software and display it on its clip matrix of 40 triggers. The clip matrix gives you an instant view of clip status: what's playing, what's loaded and what's being recorded. You can get a quick picture of clip state because each state displays on the matrix in a different color. You can shift your clip focus and get an overview of the clips you have loaded for your set. The AKAI Professional APC40 unit has 16 knobs, each surrounded by a ring of LEDs. By indicating the values of the currently selected parameters, these LED rings make it easy to see your settings on dark stages.

The construction of the AKAI Professional APC40 Controller was made with a rugged, metal chassis and slip-proof rubber detailing. All of the faders and knobs are precise and solid for pinpoint performances. It even provides a high quality, replaceable crossfader for transitioning between clips and loops assigned to "A" or "B".

The unit is also equipped with two banks of eight knobs. The first set controls Global parameters so you’ll always have instant access to your main sends, pans and other essentials. The second bank of eight knobs is dynamically reassigned to the Track you select. 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 with the Beat Decoder on track two. When you switch to track four, the eight Track knobs that you had been controlling the Beat Decoder with are now controlling the Flangeverb on track four. You'll even notice that the settings for each knob load on the light rings so you'll immediately see each knob's status.

The Ableton Live Akai Professional APC40 Edition software is included in delivery. This software is fully functional for performance and production. Owners of standalone editions of Ableton Live 7 or 8 can also work seamlessly with the AKAI Professional APC40 Controller. Live 7 with the latest automatic update has full support for the system and all versions of Live 8 are APC40-ready.

The AKAI Professional APC40 unit also allows special clip-status views and feedback that only the matrix of the device can display. The matrix is not limited to only 40 clips. You can scroll and shift, enabling you to access, control and perform with an unlimited number of cells.

The eight Global knobs belong to the wide range of controllers that the APC40 unit has. These knobs can access four banks of controls. The eight Track knobs control nine different track parameters each. This gives you a massive total of 72 controllers that are dynamically reassigned each time you switch tracks. Bus faders, channel faders and a crossfader give you smooth control of key values. You have even more control power with special controls including Tap Tempo, Tempo Nudge, record enables, solo/cues and two assignable footswitch inputs.

Designed in partnership with Ableton, the AKAI Professional APC40 Controller is the most advanced Live controller for the most advanced performers. Like this, the unit is Ableton Live performance perfected.

Features

Designed in partnership with Ableton for Ableton Live
Unique clip matrix with multicolor lighting displays current clip status
No mapping required; every knob, button and fader is customizable
Bidirectional communication between APC40 and Ableton Live
Solid, professional feel with rugged, metal chassis and premium controls
Comes with Ableton Live Akai Professional APC40 Edition software
Works with standalone editions of Ableton Live
USB plug-and-play connection for Mac and PC
Premium controller with rugged, metal chassis

Specifications

Power supply: 12V 2.0A pin-positive, included
Communication: USB-MIDI with proprietary hardware/software handshake
Inputs: USB, Two assignable footswitch inputs
Dimensions (WxDxH): 16.88” x 13.13” x 2.62”/ 429 mm x 334 mm x 67 mm
Weight: 5.8 lbs/ 2.64 kg

Content of delivery

AKAI Professional APC40 Ableton performance Controller
USB cable
Power supply
Software CD
Quick start guide

System Requirements

Mac: 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: 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