Descrizione

Akai Professional APC Key 25 Mk2 is a compact USB MIDI controller equipped with a 40-backlit LED pad matrix for managing Clips in the Session View of Ableton Live software and a two-octave keyboard with velocity-sensitive mini keys for playing your favorite virtual instruments. With the 8 360° rotary controls, you'll have volume, pan, and track sends in the mixer, as well as device parameters (instruments and effects) at your fingertips.

The differences between APC Key and APC Key 25 MK2

In addition to a more modern aesthetic, this "MK2" version of AKAI APC Key 25 differs from the previous model by featuring an optimized, next-generation synth-action keyboard with mechanics similar to larger MIDI keyboards. The LED backlighting of the 40 pads has been improved, and in addition to being brighter, it will be able to better reproduce the color assigned to Clips in Ableton Live software, as it supports hundreds of different colors. Furthermore, the 8 potentiometers offer a 360° rotation (compared to 270° in previous models) to allow immediate interaction with software parameter values. Not to be underestimated is the change in position of the USB Type-B port, now located at the back of the instrument (instead of the side) to give you the possibility 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 specifically designed for perfect interaction with Ableton Live software. Controllers in this series offer immediate "Control Surface" configuration that allows the pad matrix to dynamically adapt to the Clips in the Session View of your musical project. Other physical controls, such as the rotary potentiometers (knobs), are also automatically reassigned to what you have selected in the project or hardware: from controlling devices, i.e., audio effects loaded as inserts on tracks or parameters of virtual instruments, to controlling volumes in the mixer, from managing pan to sends to effects.

APC Key 25 Mk2 represents a comfortable, compact, and versatile control surface that can be used both in the recording studio and live to control Ableton Live DAW software (from version 11.2.7 onwards), occupying minimal space on your desk or console. AKAI APC Key 25 Mk2 is a class-compliant USB/MIDI device that does not require driver installation to function and is automatically recognized by all operating systems. It connects to your PC or Mac computer, which will directly power it.   

5x8 pad matrix

The management of Clips in Ableton Live's Session View is precise and immediate thanks to the 40 backlit pads of the AKAI PRO APC Key 25 Mk2. With 4 dedicated buttons, you can easily move horizontally or vertically in your project to select tracks and the relevant Clips to manage. From playback to recording, from individual Clips to entire Scenes: play, trigger, and reproduce audio samples, loops, and MIDI clips.

25 velocity-sensitive key keyboard

Unleash your creative flair. Play bass lines, melodies with synth leads, plucks, or acoustic and/or electric piano parts thanks to the new generation keyboard that will respond perfectly to your fingers, your melodic phrases, and chords. In addition to the instrument devices present in Ableton Live, you can play your favorite VST or AU virtual instruments, including the 3 virtual instruments developed by Air Music Tech included free* of charge: Hybrid 3, Mini Grand, and Velvet. With the dedicated octave transposition buttons (up and down), you can cover up to 10 octaves of range with the APC Key 25 Mk2 keyboard, while the Sustain button allows you to simulate the typical pedal control directly from the instrument's panel.  

8 360° rotary controls

4 buttons allow you to select what to control from the 8 knobs: volume, pan, send, or the parameters of the selected device. Control filters, reverbs, write and record automations to give your live performances and music productions that extra touch. In Device mode, the physical rotary controls are automatically assigned to the macro mapping of the effect or instrument selected in Ableton Live. Through the various buttons, you can also manage essential transport functions such as Start, Stop, Record, as well as Solo, Mute, and track arming.

Software included with APC Key 25 Mk2

By registering your APCKey 25 Mk2 controller on the AkaiPro.com (click here) website, you can access the software provided free of charge for promotional purposes*. You will find the code to unlock a Lite version of Ableton Lite software and three free usage licenses for 3 virtual instruments from Air Music Tech: the virtual analog synthesizer Hybrid 3 (perfect for EDM, Trap, House, Techno, and modern electronic genres in general), the acoustic piano Mini Grand, and the electric piano Velvet.  

Akai Pro APC Key 25 Mk2 Features

    
• MIDI USB Controller
    
• Ableton Performance Controller
    
• Compatible with Ableton Live from version 11.2.7 onwards
    
• 5x8 pad matrix with 40 backlit pads
    
• 25 velocity-sensitive mini synth-action keys
    
• Total range: 10 octaves
    
• 8 360° rotary potentiometers
    
• Dedicated scene control buttons
    
• 4 buttons to navigate the Clip matrix
    
• USB Type-B port for Mac and PC computers
    
• Direct power from computer via USB
    
• 1-meter USB B to USB A cable included in the package
    
• Dimensions and weight: 315x193x47mm; 0.9KG

*Software provided for PC and Mac (via download):

    
• Ableton Live Lite Music Production Software
    
• Air Music Hybrid 3: virtual analog synth
    
• Air Music Mini Grand: acoustic piano
    
• Air Music Velvet: electric piano

*To obtain the software included with Akai Pro APC Key 25 Mk2

Create an account and register the instrument on the AkaiPro.com website (click here)

NB: Software applications are included free of charge for promotional purposes and may vary over time without notice. Algam EKO is solely responsible for the hardware instrument and cannot provide technical or commercial assistance for the free accompanying software or for third-party software used with the product. For software support, consult the manual or online help of the software you are using.

Important: The use of authorization codes, i.e., the download and activation of the software provided free of charge, voids the right of withdrawal.

NB: Akai Professional APC Key 25 Mk2 is a controller that generates and sends MIDI messages through the USB port useful for controlling software compatible with the universal MIDI standard. It does not have internal sounds and functions exclusively by sending control messages that will be translated by your software or musical hardware into sound, which will then output from your external audio interface or integrated sound card. The instrument therefore does not have an audio output.