Akai APC Mini MKII Portable Ableton Live Controller

The Akai APC Mini MK2 is an ultra-portable Ableton Live controller made in collaboration with Ableton to give you an easy-to-use controller that allows you to take control of all of Ableton Live’s performance features. The controller features 64 RGB-Backlit Pads, nine assignable faders, Smart Scale View mode and dedicated Scene Launch buttons.

The 64 RGB-backlit pads accurately and authentically represent all Ableton Live session clips. They allow you to activate individual loops, melodies, samples, instruments, vocals or whole scenes to create inspiring performances. In addition, the pads are customisable and readily available at your fingertips.

The nine faders provide further control of creations and can be used to insert effect sends, adjust volume, pan, tweak reverbs and more. When the unit is in device mode, the APC Mini faders are automatically mapped to the eight macro controls of Ableton Live’s selected device. This means that multiple parameters can be controlled using one fader, and even more, control can be established through Soft Keys for functions such as Mute, Solo, Stop or Record.

A unique feature of the Mini MK2 is the Drum Mode for Ableton Drum Rack. When in this mode, the Mini isolates a 4x4 quadrant of the APC Mini to control Ableton whilst the remaining pads are free to assign. This allows for maximum usage, customisation and control features. Another feature worth mentioning is Notes Mode, where the Mini has melodic control of plugin instruments and sounds to ensure a smooth workflow and play perfect-sounding music. Finally, there is the real-time key and scale control, known as Smart Scale View, where instant visual feedback is provided when key or scale types are changed, including a currently selected view, so you know what key you are in at all times.

You can start creating music straight from the box, as the Mini MK2 comes with Ableton Live Lite software. The software includes a range of effects, instruments and samples where you can play around with MIDI, mixing and recording. Additionally, you get an included virtual instrument pack from AIR Music Technology which includes world-class plugin instruments such as Hybrid 3 (powerful polyphonic analogue synth), Mini Grand (acoustic piano instrument) and Velvet (vintage electric piano instrument).