AKAI Professional APC 40 Mk2 Reviews

Is an excellent MIDI controller for anyone looking for dedicated live functionality

This is the first hardware controller I bought to use specifically with my Ableton Live software.

Decent

I use midi controllers for Ableton and Resolume Arena for live performance.

The APC40mk2 is barely of a quality that I feel comfortable bringing onto a stage.

We have gone through 3 or 4 of them at this point as they do not handle the abuse of stage-life as well as one would hope.

For knobs, I much prefer the quality and the feel of the midi fighter twister.

Sadly, the apc40mk2 remains the best 1-in-all option still.

Love it

This is my 2nd one to use as backup, i now own 2 of these. Been using them with the Playaudio12 running backing tracks live, reliable control surface and simple to use

Works good with ableton!

It is all about fun! Works very good with ableton.

Great of live performance.

This does all the things it should, I just wish the build was a little sturdier.

GOOD BUT NOT PERFECT.

Very good. integrates with Ableton for Live performance.

It would be perfect if it had motorized faders.

Good quality controller with a reasonable price

I've used multiple versions of AKAI's APC controllers and this is, by far, the most useful and comfortable one to use.

Faders don't get sloppy over time and push buttons feel great.

The controller is great for different software (Resolume Arena, vMix etc.) and provides a good number of different input types unlike some controllers that have mostly faders or only buttons.

There has been only one downside for video software - the row of track select buttons since it is not possible to change their behaviour and they load different values for the rightmost fader block (device control knobs).

But otherwise the APC40 MK2 has been a really good tool to get various controls to physical buttons instead of scrolling and clicking with a mouse.

Highly Recommended.

I mostly compose in MIDI tracks - this machine is helpful for arranging my tracks in rhythm (with the adjustable tempo volume), and the easy integration with Ableton is very simple - you just plug the USB and it is ready to go.. That simple.

For me, there are no cons, only pros.

You can also use this APC40 controller to record tracks in the session view with the first few buttons, but I generally record my midi tracks in the arrangement view.

With the upcoming MIDI 2.0 update version, and the MIDI 2.0 cables, this machine will do wonders I think.

Great for its purpose, except one big miss

I love most things about this controller;

the sturdiness/quality, the layout/design, the feel/response of knobs, faders and buttons.

But.. The biggest reason why I bought the unit was because I was sure that the feature of setting lengths before recording audio clips was implemented, like in Ableton Push.

But since that's not the case, the controller has no use for me and I will probably get a Push instead.

Too bad, I prefer AKAI's layout with the faders.

If AKAI would implement that function (which should be possible), I would definitely go for APC40 mk2 again.

Handy control board

all controllers are "tweakers" or "launchers-triggers" or "keyboards". This one tries to cover all.

As a Keyboard Akai APC 40 Mk2 is not good. Pads are not velocity sensitive - not nice for recording drums or instrument parts - but still you can do it at on-the-go conditions.

As a "Launcher" - I personally find it very nice. 8 channel scenes is cool. When I work at the live sport events I need a variety of samples at my fingertips - Akai APC 40 Mk2 just shines here! I created my own template based on the default one.

As a Tweaker Akai Apc 40 Mk2 offers you 8 knobs-per-selected channel + 1 knob on the top - These knobs are endless spin with a nice travel. But it is often not enough. When Dj - I use a different Template and here I need an extra "Tweaker" to expand tweaking abilities of the device (I use DJTT Twister which is an amazing tweaking device) and for the reset (quick set-to-default) feature.

Mechanically Akai APC 40 Mk2 seems to be proof enough. Not a single issue while using it for 2 years (carefully but intensevely)

Faders and knobs are reliable not flimsy. I would recommend a plastic cover to lingering the lifetime of the device.

so Pro's:

- Universality and functionality within live or studio conditions

- Great launcher (Trigger)

- Fair Tweaker

- Made quality

- light weight

- Well thought Templates available

- Keeps your eyes away from the computer screen

- Foot controller switch functionality

- USB powering

- Price for all that

Con's:

- Not for a Keyboard-ing or Drum Pad-ing

- Not as compact as you may think (not a Con for me though)

- Volume faders a bit tricky to spot on the "0" level (I use fabric tape)

- Triggered clip is indicated in green weakly pulsing (I avoid green color when colouring the steady clips and miss hard pulsing)

I would recommend it for Ableton users as a "Launcher" ("Trigger") controller to pair it with some other "tweaker" deviceand keyboard if needed for a beautifull setup !

convenient interface, convenient operation, excellent device!

Ableton Live essential

The great successor of MKI, smaller and much better. The only thing I'm still missing is the ability to map the controller by myself, especially when it comes to faders. Playing live and not going beyond 0 db mark is always difficult and I wish I could adjust min and max values of the faders

I love using this controller. The only thing that could be better is the build quality-- a couple of the faders have given me issues at times as a result of the cheapness in material. Nevertheless, an amazing controller for ableton-- seamlessly integrated.

Fun device, works very well

Great addition to my workflow. Both for jamming, and live performance but also in the studio this device gives easy to access control over Ableton. The layout is straightforward and smart. I'd fancy some more user-dials, I rarely use the adaptive dials that change mapping per active plugin, since I want to control more plugins at a time. I think the color representation of the clips is a bit off, which can be confusing if your color coding is important in bigger projects.

A great addition for Live

I have used this for Live for over 4 years.

It is great addition to my setup. I use the crossfader to mix back and forth from duplicated VST's that I have added different effects to add variation that cannot be achieved with one VST.

On a large Live set it can easily make the volume faders redundant. In the studio it is very easy to toggle from clip to instrument which is difficult to do on regular computer keyboard and this benefits my workflow.

The effects section

The effects section is very annoying when it changes constantly and there is no indication of what device you are tweaking. I basically have the device lock on all the time for one effect rack and use the Xone K2 for all other effects.

Setup was such a breeze that it was almost counter-intuitive. I?m so used to having to download remote scripts for Ableton, that I spent ten minutes trying to figure out where to download one, before I read the manual and found out it was already installed. Go figure... Once I?d chosen the APC40 MK II from the list of hardware, I was up and running. And, I have to say I was impressed from the start.

Construction-wise, and like all of the current Akai controllers I?ve seen come around in the last few years, the APC40 MKII is nicely put together. The pad/buttons feel and look really nice. There is also high level of LED goodness, here, too. As soon as you?re in Live, cued scenes and the clips, therein pulse green, slowly within the APC40 MK II?s own grid of buttons. And, to be honest, out of many of the controllers that I?ve looked at, I?d have to say that the way the LED default color assignments are set up would have to be one of my favorites. The default color assignments of the LEDs, for me, were very helpful in guiding me in to trying new things, with the APC 40 MKII.

Just intuitive in every single step and way.

Ableton in physical format!

Exactly what i was looking for, this allows me to get away from mouse control and to improove my workflow A LOT (specially using a "looper setup") after assigning personalized functions i just have to plug in a pedal and i don't even have to touch the pc any more. Worth mentioning: the integration with ableton is "ready to play", you only have to connect the device and turn it on for it to start working. Zero time spent in "preferences" tomake it work. Recommend.

Very nice quality controller

Great quality buttons, knobs and faders, works really well with Ableton Live. Everything you really need to control your DAW for quick recording, looping and sampling... great experience with this product, having good feel of solid buttons under your fingers instead of just clicking with your mouse all over the place.

Great and handy product in my opinion, I couldn`t ask for more at this point. Good job

Good quality but outadated

Good quality... Akai is really great building stuff.

Nevertheless I think the layout is outdated