AKAI Professional APC 40 Mk2

Questo controller si integra alla perfezione con ableton live per cui è stato concepito, ma di fatto tramite il protocollo midi, può essere utilizzato (con le dovute attenzioni) anche per altri software.
Di fatto resta un must per chi necessitasse di gestire i numerosi comandi di live.

Di buona fattura, leggero e solido al tatto.
Risulta rapido nella risposta dei comandi, e dopo un primo periodo di apprendimento, sarà facile gestiore i parametri di tracce e devices inseriti.
Non richiede alimentazioni esterne se non quella della usb con cui viene collegato alla daw.

Se proprio volessimo trovare una pecca, si sente l'assenza dei faders motorizzati; tuttavia si aggangiano rapidamente alle tracce nel caso fassero stati spostati dei parametri tramite mouse direttamente dal computer.

Gli 8 encorders rotativi per la gestione dei vari devices, funzionano molto bene e la ghiera luminosa tiene traccia dei nostri spostamenti.
L'assenza di un display che possa indicare il nome del parametro che stiamo modificando, si fa sentire; poichè non sempre troveremo lo stesso econder per comandi simili (ad esempio per un gain).
Per una rapida gestione di un device, un periodo di apprendimento maggiore è consigliato, al fine di memorizzare i comandi.
In ogni caso, la facile mappatura del controller, permette una gestione personalizzabile.
Ottima la possibilità di inserire un pedale di controllo, che risulta utile per dare degli start o per una precisa gestione del looper.

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 !

I've bought it 4 years ago.

Pros:
It is very steady, very easy to use with ableton live, superb if you use it for triggering clips, mixer and fx processing.A very good daw controller.
Good for live shows and studio. Very nice light buttons colored function. It helps you understand without looking on the screen which clip is playing and what you can choose next. It is a plastic but solid enough hardware.

Limitations/Cons:
Fx knobs: The fx functions are following a random appearing order on the dock, depending on the specific effect you want to manipulate. So you have to customize sometimes.
Not easy to use the volume faders, if you want control more than 8 channels.
The volume faders are not reacting according to the values / (fader position in the software) of the new channels.
If you move them a bit the track volume can change rapidly in to an extreme high or low position.

Problem:
Until few months ago it worked perfectly well.Then a problem with solo buttons occurred. The buttons suddenly stopped working - also no lights on -. AKAI told me there was maybe a problem with the usb connection/power system.
Thanks to thomann warranty and the great work of thomann service team it now works as new.

I recommend it even though the cons and the solo buttons problem.