Tags: Budget MIDI controller

Notes: Compact USB bus-powered 64-button clip launcher for Ableton Live

The APC Mini Mk2 clip launching controller for Ableton Live is the ultimate compact solution for music creation in any environment. APC Mini delivers dynamic control of your Ableton Live sessions in a powerful yet efficient footprint, perfect for creative looping, remixing, and experimenting in the studio or on the stage.

Focus on your performance

64 brilliant RGB-backlit pads

APC Mini features 64 new RGB-backlit pads for a brilliant and precise representation of your Ableton Live session clips. Whether in the studio or on stage, the scrollable RGB-enabled pad matrix will boldly shine through. In the heart of your most creative moment, launch and activate loops, instruments, vocals, and more with confidence.

Launch an immersive music-creation experience

APC Mini allows you to trigger individual loops, samples, and melodies or entire Scenes for the most imaginative and inspirational music creation performances. Even with your largest projects, the 64 RGB-backlit pads across the customizable 8x8 grid accurately reflect clips from your Ableton Live Session and are always in reach for the ultimate creative experience.

Simple controls for powerful music making

A more powerful Ableton experience
Enjoy serious hands-on control for a powerfully creative Ableton Live experience. APC Mini features 9 faders to adjust volume, pan, insert effect sends and more for smooth, intuitive control of your sessions. Tweak reverbs, sweep filters, or write automation that will bring your music to life. Shape your sounds instantly using the assignable fader controls.

Precise intuitive control

Create your own distinct sounds with ease. With Device Mode, the APC Mini faders are automatically mapped to the eight Macro Controls of Ableton Live's selected device. Control multiple parameters with one fader to generate totally innovative sounds. Get more hands-on control with Soft Keys for easy access to Solo, Mute, Stop and Record arm functions.

Inspiring features to empower your creativity

Drum mode for Ableton Drum Rack

Drum Mode provides seamless integration with Ableton's Drum Rack isolating a 4x4 quadrant of the APC Mini to control Ableton, while still giving you the ability to assign the remaining pads. This allows for ultra-customized pad layouts and equally inventive and creative performances-not achievable with any other APC controller.

Real-time key and scale control

The Smart Scale View provides instant visual feedback while you change keys or scale types. In this mode, the musical key currently selected is also visible across the pads to ensure you know what scale you're in. The Notes Mode delivers a new performance workflow, allowing you to play pitch-perfect musical parts in Ableton without playing wrong notes

Ableton Live Lite and Air Technology software bundle

Launch with Ableton Live Lite

APC Mini includes Ableton Live Lite software. Start creating and making music with this powerful clip launching DAW packed with instruments, mixing effects, samples, and the ability to record and mix audio and MIDI. Ableton Live Lite offers all the tools to transform your musical ideas into exciting songs and performances.

Elevate your sound with AIR
Elevate your sound with the included virtual instrument pack from award-winning sound design company AIR Music Technology. In addition to Ableton Live Lite, APC Mini also includes multiple world-class plugin instruments including Hybrid 3 - a powerful polyphonic analog synth, Mini Grand - an acoustic piano instrument, and Velvet - a vintage electric piano instrument.

Drum Mode

Drum sample mode featuring seamless integration with Ableton Drum Rack.

Notes Mode

Melodic control of plugin instruments and sounds for inspirational performances.

Smart Scale Mode

Visual feedback of current Note Mode key across the 8x8 pad matrix.

Technical Specifications

Power: USB-bus-powered
Dimensions: 9.5" x 8.3" x 1.3" 240 x 210 x 32 mm (width x depth x height)
Weight: 1.79 lbs. | 0.81 kg

Notes: Still one of the best value pad controllers on the market, Akai's trusty LPD8 offers eight MPC-style pads and eight rotary controls. Simple, effective and compatible with most hardware and software.

Supplier's Notes:
Premium pad performance

Great things come in small packages and the the LPD8 delivers in a big way. The sleek MIDI pad controller features 8 velocity-sensitive RGB pads from the flagship MPC X and is up to any pad performance-based duties for the modern beat-making music producer. Produce beats, trigger one-shot samples and loops, or connect to any general MIDI-based DAW for easy hands-on controlling and creation.

Legendary pad performance

LPD8 features the same pads from the top-of-the-line MPC X standalone hardware. The sturdy yet super responsive pads are the standard for any music maker looking for dynamic performance without compromising creativity.

Assignable knob controls

LPD8 features 8 assignable rotary knobs for precise control of parameters and values in your DAW. Adjust reverb or delay wetness, dial in parametric eq, trim loops and samples, and so much more with the accuracy you need for your music creation workflow.

Sleek compact design

LPD8 fits in wherever you need it. Sit it on your desk, neatly against your laptop computer for a streamlined process, or pack it into your producer bag with your headphones and accessories ensuring you're always ready to create anywhere.

MPC plugin instruments

Innovative sampling and efficient sequencing are only a part of the iconic MPC experience. MPC Beats also features a great selection of ground-breaking MPC plugin instruments. Discover Tubesynth, Bassline, and Electric plugin instruments for a wide range of synth, monophonic leads and basses, as well as pads, electric keyboard sounds, and much more for rich musical productions and arrangements.

Insert effects

MPC Beats includes a premium collection of world-class mixing and mastering plugins. Powerful insert effects like Half Speed, Mother Ducker, and AIR Talk Box add instant vibe and character to your tracks to quickly achieve modern sound and feel. Process audio, dial-up creative effects, and finalize your tracks to commercially ready songs for sharing anywhere.

Key specs

Controls:

(8) velocity-sensitive, RGB-lit pads
(8) 270- knobs
(4) UI buttons

Programs: 4 stored programs, configurable via free downloadable editor software
Connections: (1) USB port
Power: Via USB
Dimensions (width x depth x height): 12.1" x 3.2" x 1.3" / 306 x 81 x 34 mm
Weight: 0.86 lbs./0.39 kg

Notes: A little bit of everything with this compact all-rounder. 25 mini keys, four rotary controls, four faders, touch strips and transport controls. Built-in arpeggiator helps you generate ideas quickly.

Supplier's Notes:
USB MIDI controller with OLED display, 25 buttons, 8 pads, 4 controls and faders each, for musicians, producers and DJs.

USB MIDI keyboard for creative music production with PC and Mac
Also suitable for enlarging DJ sets
Super portable format fits laptop bags
Works with virtually any audio software
25 velocity-sensitive mini keyboard keys, with 3 velocity curves and one constant velocity
8 backlit, velocity-sensitive drum pads can send note, MIDI CC or program change
4 freely assignable rotary controls
4 freely assignable faders
2 touch sensors of dynamic pitch bend and modulation touch strips
Standard sustain pedal jack, compatible with switch pedals
Fixed Chord mode
1 Value dial (Enter button: push to enter)
Play and record transport control buttons
Powerful and creative Arpeggiator for generating ideas quickly
Custom modes for user-defined mappings of knobs, sliders and pads
Connect to your hardware with a standard 3.5mm TRS MIDI Out jack
Compatible with iOS by using the Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit (sold separately)
Ableton Live integration - Launch clips and scenes, play instruments and Drum Racks, capture MIDI, and more
Integration with other DAWs (Apple Logic Pro X, Propellerhead's Reason etc.)
OLED display
Compatible with Win XP, Win Vista, Win 7, Win 10, OS X 10,3 or better
Package contents

1 x controller, 1 x user manual, 1 x uSB cable, 1 x adapter cable

Technical Specifications

Power supply: 5 V DC 100 mA
Power connection: Via USB, type B
Display type: OLED display
USB port: USB 2.0, Typ B
Dimensions: Length: 19,4 cm
Width: 31,8 cm
Height: 4,8 cm
Weight: 800 g
Operating system: Win XP, Win Vista, Win 7, Win 10, OS X 10,3 or better