Akai Professional

Notes: The next generation of Ableton Live controller from Akai, the APC64 is designed for seamless integration with the software, or as a standalone step sequencer and controller. The 64 velocity sensitive pads handle playing, recording, clip launching, sequencing and much more, while eight assignable touch strips offer extensive hands-on control.

Supplier's notes:

APC64; Next generation Ableton live controller.

Touch the future

Leap into a new world of musical possibility in the studio, on stage, and anywhere creativity leads you with the powerful APC64.

Ableton live controller; with sequencer and touchstrips

The new Akai Professional APC64 is a powerful next-generation Ableton Live controller for studio and live performance.

It features 64 RGB velocity-sensitive pads with poly aftertouch, and 8 fully assignable Touch Strips for instant hands-on control of devices, pitch, modulation, and much more. APC64 also works as a standalone 32-step 8-track Step Sequencer and controller with 3 MIDI ports and 8 CV/Gate outputs to take full control of synths, drum machines, or modular rack devices.

In-depth control of Ableton Live

Enter the matrix

APC64 features a vibrant 8x8 pad matrix of 64 velocity-sensitive RGB pads with poly aftertouch for playing chords, synth leads, Ableton Live's Drum Racks and of course launching Clips in Session View.

Touch the future

Add a whole new level of expression and control to your music production and live performances with 8 fully assignable Touch Strips with RGB LED indicators. Get control of Ableton Live's devices - including Auto Filter, Delay, Reverb, Impulse, Simpler and more - right at your fingertips. Adjust macros, mixer volume, pan, and effects sends as well as writing automation.

Visual feedback and control

APC64 includes a smart colour LED screen with a fast push encoder for real-time visual feedback of your parameters. Move around Ableton Live's devices and mixing environments while keeping track of each parameter on the screen. APC64 also features dedicated transport control with Play, Stop, and Record for capturing your ideas along with 8 Track Mute and Solo buttons for mixing and live performance.

Standalone step sequencing

APC64 features an internal 32-step 8-track Step Sequencer enabling completely DAW-less control of your favourite synths. With 8 CV/Gate outputs and 3 1/8" MIDI ports, you can connect, sequence, and capture your favourite modular racks, keyboards, classic drum machines, and more. Add continuous control and expression using the 8 Touch Strips for a whole new level of performance. Apply additional creative dimensions to MIDI notes using the Probability, Velocity, and Mutate functions for further experimentation.

Powerful production and performance

APC64 facilitates a seamless workflow within Ableton Live; from triggering samples and loops in Ableton Live's Drum Rack, all the way to writing expressive melodies using the Notes, Scale, and Chord modes. Use the onboard Step Sequencer to generate inventive melodic patterns that can be instantly transferred to Ableton Live using the Send To Clip function. Apply swing and quantize to your beats or use APC64 to arm and record vocal tracks directly in Ableton Live sessions.

Ableton drum rack/simpler control

APC64 features a dedicated Drum Mode allowing you to play and record beats, loops, and slices using an Ableton Live Drum Rack or Simpler device. Capture additional inspiration using the 8 Touch Strips to control Ableton Live's FX racks during beat making and performance.

Included software bundle

Ableton Live Lite 11

APC64 Includes Ableton 11 Lite for all your software music production needs in one package to produce, perform, arrange, record, edit, mix and master your music. Live Lite includes sounds, instruments, and sequencing, recording, and arranging capabilities.

Air music instruments/plugins

APC64 Includes a collection of professional plug-in instruments and effects so you can start producing out of the box. Included are the following plugins: TubeSynth, Electric, Ether, Halfspeed, Vocal Tuner, Flavor, and the Sonivox Essential Keyboard Collection.

Custom editor software

Create your own custom layouts with the included desktop software editor for Mac/PC to personalize and store pre-sets for quick recall in standalone.

Key specs

Display
Graphical full colour LCD
Connections: USB-C, 8x 1/8" (3.5 mm) CV/Gate, 2x 1/8" (3.5 mm) MIDI Output, 1x 1/8" (3.5 mm) MIDI Input
Dimensions (width x depth x height): 10.7" x 14.6" x 1.4" 272 x 371 x 34.5 mm
Weight: 3.5 lb/1.6 kg

Notes: Choose Your Weapon: Building on the success of the original, the feature-packed MPD2 Series gives you amazing creative musical ammo with Thick Fat backlit MPC pads, improved controls and new bundled software.

The MPD2 Series is a product of over six years of detailed customer research and user feedback. Akai turned it into the most capable and user-friendly line of pad controllers they've developed to date.

The MPD232 is a MIDI-over-USB pad controller perfect for producers, programmers, musicians and DJs alike. Its intuitive blend of MPC controls and technologies mesh with easy USB connectivity to bring the feel of classic beat making into the world of computer music production.

New, ultra sensitive Thick Fat MPC pads have been added, creating an amazingly responsive user experience. The MPD232 has an expanded control set featuring eight knobs, eight faders, eight buttons arranged in three banks for 72 total controls. This will enable you to maximize your sound and give you increased control over effects.

The MPD232 also boasts an all-new 64-channel, 32-step performance sequencer, which the MPD32 did not have. MIDI information is sent over its plug-and-play USB interface for use on Mac or PC, eliminating the need to install any drivers.

Along with the improved functionality we've added iOS compatibility using the Camera Connection Kit (sold separately) and included over $400 of free software. Titles include: Akai Pro MPC Essentials, Big Bang Drums and Big Bang Cinema from Sonivox, Ableton Live Lite, and Software Preset Editor.

The aforementioned Software Preset Editor allows you to enjoy intuitive control editing right from the front panel of the MPD232.

The MPD2 Series marks an important evolution of the pad controller. Many years of research and customer feedback has led directly to some of the most capable pad controllers Akai have ever developed. These MPDs are the perfect bridge between your creativity and your computer-based studio.