AKAI PROFESSIONAL APC Key 25 MK2

Description

AKAI PROFESSIONAL APC Key 25 MK2

The AKAI Professional APC Key 25 mk2 is a compact USB MIDI controller featuring a 40-pad LED-backlit matrix for clip management in Ableton Live's Session view and a two-octave keyboard with velocity-sensitive mini keys for playing your favorite virtual instruments. Thanks to the 8 360° rotary physical controls, you'll have track volume, pan, and sends in the mixer at your fingertips, as well as instrument and effect parameters. In addition to a more modern aesthetic, this mk2 version of the AKAI APC Key 25 differs from the previous model by featuring a next-generation optimized synth-action keyboard, with a mechanism of the same quality level as larger MIDI keyboards. The LED backlighting of the 40 pads has also been improved, making it brighter and better able to reproduce the color assigned to clips in Ableton Live software, supporting hundreds of different colors. Furthermore, the 8 potentiometers offer a 360° range of motion (compared to 270° in previous models), allowing for immediate interaction with software parameter values. It is also worth noting the change in position of the USB type B port, now located on the rear of the instrument (instead of the side), which allows you to comfortably place other controllers or instruments in your setup alongside the APC Key 25 mk2. The Ableton Performance Controller (APC) series from AKAI Professional was the first line of hardware designed specifically for seamless interaction with Ableton Live software. Controllers in this series offer an immediate "Control Surface" type configuration, which allows the pad matrix to dynamically adapt to the clips in your music project's Session view. The physical controls, such as the rotary potentiometers, are also automatically reassigned to whatever you have selected in the project or hardware: from controlling devices, meaning audio effects loaded as inserts on tracks or virtual instrument parameters, to controlling volumes in the mixer, from managing pan to sends to effects. The APC Key 25 mk2 is a convenient, compact, and versatile control surface, usable both in the studio and live to control Ableton Live software, taking up minimal space on your desk or console. The AKAI APC Key 25 mk2 is a class-compliant USB/MIDI peripheral that does not require driver installation to function and is automatically recognized by all operating systems. It connects directly to your computer (PC or Mac) which provides power. Clip management in Ableton Live's Session view via the 40 backlit pads of the AKAI Pro APC Key 25 mk2 is precise and immediate. Thanks to the 4 dedicated buttons, you can easily move horizontally or vertically within your project to select tracks and their respective clips to manage. From playback to recording, from individual clips to entire scenes: play, activate, and play audio samples, loops, and MIDI clips. Play bass lines, melodies with synth leads, or acoustic and electric piano parts thanks to the new generation keyboard with optimal touch response. In addition to the instruments included in Ableton Live, you can play your favorite VST or AU virtual instruments, including the 3 virtual instruments developed by Air Music Tech and included for free: Hybrid 3, Mini Grand, and Velvet. Thanks to the dedicated octave transpose buttons (up and down), you can cover up to 10 octaves with the APC Key 25 mk2 keyboard, while the Sustain button allows you to simulate the typical pedal control directly from the instrument. Four buttons allow you to select what to control with the 8 knobs: volume, pan, send, or the parameters of the selected device. You can control filters and reverbs and write and record automations to give your live performances and musical productions that extra something. In "Device" mode, the physical rotary controls automatically assign themselves to the macro mapping of the selected effect or instrument in Ableton Live. Thanks to the various buttons, you can also manage essential transport functions, such as Start, Stop, and Record, as well as Solo, Mute, and arming tracks. By registering your APCKey 25 mk2 controller on AkaiPro.com, you will have access to the included software. You will find the code to unlock a Lite version of Ableton Live software and three free usage licenses for three virtual instruments from Air Music Tech: the Hybrid 3 virtual analog synthesizer (perfect for EDM, trap, house, techno, and modern electronic genres in general), the Mini Grand acoustic piano, and the Velvet electric piano. Main features • USB MIDI Controller • Ableton Performance Controller • 5x8 matrix with 40 backlit pads • 25 mini velocity-sensitive synth-action keys • Total range: 10 octaves • 8 360° rotary potentiometers • Scene control buttons • 4 Clip matrix buttons • USB-B port for Mac and PC computers • USB powered • 1m USB B to USB A cable included • Dimensions: 315 x 193 x 47mm • Weight: 0.9kg Included software • Ableton Live Lite ìì • Air Music Hybrid 3: virtual analog synth • Air Music Mini Grand: acoustic piano

Specifications

Main features • USB MIDI Controller • Ableton Performance Controller • 5x8 matrix with 40 backlit pads • 25 mini velocity-sensitive synth-action keys • Total range: 10 octaves • 8 360° rotary potentiometers • Scene control buttons • 4 Clip matrix buttons • USB-B port for Mac and PC computers • USB powered • 1m USB B to USB A cable included • Dimensions: 315 x 193 x 47mm • Weight: 0.9kg Included software • Ableton Live Lite ìì • Air Music Hybrid 3: virtual analog synth • Air Music Mini Grand: acoustic piano