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AKAI Professional APC Mini | Portable USB MIDI Controller For Ableton Live With 64-Clip Buttons and MIDI Mixer for Music Production and Performance
Brand | AKAI |
Number of Keys | 64 |
Connectivity Technology | USB |
Special Feature | Compact |
Model Name | APC Mini |
About this item
- Complete Control – Ultra portable USB MIDI Controller for Ableton Live, perfect for mobile music performance and production
- Jam, Compose, Create - 8x8 MIDI clip matrix with tri-color lighting seamlessly integrates 1-to-1 with Ableton Live - perfect for clip launching, sampling / sample triggering and more
- Integrated MIDI Mixer - 8 assignable faders + 1 master fader instantly map to Ableton live's mixer for hands-on mix control
- Tweak Your Sound - Seamlessly map APC Mini's controls to virtual effect and instrument parameters for expressive, immersive performances
- Simple Setup - USB-powered and plug-and-play setup for Mac and PC
- Everything You Need - Comprehensive production software package for Mac and PC included: Ableton Live Lite, Hybrid 3 by AIR Music Tech, and Toolroom artist launch packs (downloads)
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This Item AKAI Professional APC Mini | Portable USB MIDI Controller For Ableton Live With 64-Clip Buttons and MIDI Mixer for Music Production and Performance | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | $74.99$74.99 | $59.00$59.00 | $89.00$89.00 | $169.00$169.00 | $99.00$99.00 | -17% $99.99$99.99 List: $119.99 |
Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Value for money | 4.6 | 3.9 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 3.9 | 4.3 |
For beginners | — | 4.5 | 3.4 | 3.9 | 3.2 | 4.1 |
Easy to use | 5.0 | — | 3.5 | — | 2.8 | 3.7 |
Portability | — | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.5 | — | 4.5 |
Quality of material | — | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 3.1 | — |
Sold By | DFADeals | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | DonnerDirect |
number of keys | 64 | — | — | 37 | 25 | — |
hardware interface | usb | usb | usb | usb | usb | usb |
connectivity tech | USB | USB | USB | USB | USB | USB |
model year | 2020 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | — |
weight | 1.65 pounds | 0.86 pounds | 810 grams | 2.78 pounds | 900 grams | — |
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Product information
Item Weight | 1.65 pounds |
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Product Dimensions | 7.87 x 9.37 x 1.06 inches |
ASIN | B00J3ZCVCS |
Item model number | APC MINI |
Customer Reviews |
4.5 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #50,017 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments) #203 in Computer Recording MIDI Controllers |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | April 14, 2014 |
Connector Type | USB |
Hardware Interface | USB |
Musical Style | Electronic |
Number of Keyboard Keys | 64 |
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Akai Professional APC Mini
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Product Description
Dexterous, versatile, and powerful, the only thing “mini” about this Ableton controller is the size. APC mini is the most portable all-in-one Ableton controller solution with Akai Pro build quality. Engineered specifically for the mobile musician and the desktop producer, APC mini concentrates the essential features of the APC40 mkII, Akai Pro’s flagship Ableton controller, into a compact design that fits in your backpack. The result is a dynamic instrument that empowers you to make music with Ableton Live anywhere.
From the manufacturer
Ultra-Portable Ableton Control
Dexterous, versatile, and powerful, APC mini is the most portable all-in-one USB powered plug-and-play Ableton controller solution with Akai Pro build quality crafted for on-the-go clip launching functionality. Engineered specifically for the mobile musician and the desktop producer, APC mini concentrates the essential features of the APC40 mkII, Akai Pro’s flagship Ableton controller, into a compact design that fits in your backpack. The result is a dynamic instrument that empowers you to make music with Ableton Live anywhere.
The Power of Clips
APC mini features an expanded 8x8 multicolor clip-launching grid that’s built for hands-on exploration: launch clips and create or perform your song from the ground up using 64 responsive triggers. Tri-color lighting provides visual feedback and displays three clip statuses loaded, playing, and recording so you can intelligently perform without looking at your computer. Plus for expanded creative potential, use the Shift button and directional arrows to manipulate the scope of the 8x8 grid.
Critical Mix Control
With APC mini, nine channel faders allow you to mix with a reinforced fader design. Don just limit yourself to volume, change channel-fader functionality with the dedicated buttons for volume, pan, sends and device control: fade clips in and out of the mix; pan instruments to the left, right or center; raise the level of reverb or other effects to create fluid transitions; open and close filters for lush sweeps; and much more. Additionally, each fader is completely assignable for fully-customized mixing and mapping control.
Seamless Integration
APC mini comes pre-mapped to Live for an instant performance and production setup. When APC mini is plugged into your computer, its hardware controls correspond 1 to 1 with Ableton Live’s interface-no additional configuring is required. Seeking a customised control layout? All of APC mini’s controls can be re-assigned on the fly for personalised setups that change with your performance or production style. Whether you are an electronic music artist and Live is your canvas, a DJ using Live for performance and real-time mixing, or a more traditional musician using Live on stage or in the studio, you will find the APC mini to be the intuitive, powerful instrument that directly links your inspiration with Ableton Live.
Portable Control
The Power of Clips
Critical Mix Control
Seamless Integration
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Ableton Live LiteAbleton Live Lite delivers much of the functionality of Ableton Live and lets you spontaneously compose, record, remix, improvise and edit your musical ideas in a seamless audio/MIDI environment. Live brings your acoustic, electronic and virtual instruments as well as your digital audio recordings and MIDI sequences together in a single interface with unparalleled ease of use. |
Hybrid 3.0Hybrid 3.0 is the next generation in synthesis. This high-definition virtual synthesizer combines the coveted warmth of analogue synths with a full range of digital manipulation capabilities. The result is the best of both worlds a virtual instrument with a comprehensive set of adjustable parameters that can sound like a synth you remember or something no one has ever heard before. |
Toolroom Artist Launch PacksToolroom Records artist launch packs bring you the coveted sounds of electronic music with a premium collection of sample packs, produced exclusively for Akai Professional from one of the world’s dance record labels. Including expertly curated instrumental loops, drumkits and one-shot samples. |
From the brand
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With 5 decades of experience, Akai Professional continues to empower music creators with the innovative technology needed to make inspiring music.
The Akai Professional MIDI Production Center (MPC) pattern-based devices revolutionized music creation around the world. Now alongside the next generation of standalone MPC, we lead the way with world-class hardware controllers, software DAWs, plugin instruments, and insert effects products.
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the performance, quality and ease of use of the audio midi controller. For example, they mention it works reliably every time, it's easy to program and it'll fit in most laptop cases. Customers are also impresseded with the versatility, and comfort. That said, some complain about the buttons.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the performance of the audio midi controller. They say it has excellent functionality, works reliably every time, and is very useful. Some mention that it works great with LightKey and improves their work flow. The buttons and faders all work well, and it's at a great price point.
"...This new device has 90% of the functionality while only taking up about 1/3rd of the space of the APC40 on my workstation...." Read more
"The APC Mini is a versatile machine. Launches clips and sessions quickly in Ableton...." Read more
"...The Akai APC Mini is a well built and extremely functional device for anybody wants to trigger clips and control tracks in Ableton...." Read more
"...I've performed live shows with it, and it's worked reliably every time. I would buy this device again if it were damaged or stolen...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the quality of the audio midi controller. They mention that it is a great piece of hardware, a quality tool, and a good home studio addition. The build quality is pretty good, and the product is sturdy and can fit in most laptop cases.
"...No need for a power cable, just plug right into any usb. The faders feel sturdy and have good resistance when being moved, plus they're indented in..." Read more
"...One is the Akai Pro Account and the others Abelton Account.Product is nice and sturdy and can fit in most laptop cases...." Read more
"...The Akai APC Mini is a well built and extremely functional device for anybody wants to trigger clips and control tracks in Ableton...." Read more
"I'm loving it.It heavier than expected and that's good, feels well built and durable. The grid buttons are a bit mushier though...." Read more
Customers find the audio midi controller easy to program and helpful when it comes to DJing and cueing light scenes. They say it has a simple plug and play setup and USB power. Some say the small size makes it easier to control even with one hand. They also say it works flawlessly, making creating scenes easy.
"...with this new controller, plus the small size makes it soo much easier to control even with one hand when using the Shift button to fly around..." Read more
"...Thats plenty to have for shows and mixtape creation. I like it. Easy to use mapped for Virtual DJ & Ableton live...." Read more
"...to build great musical tools, but I thought this APC Was a little difficult to use, great value if you have a setup studio and time to learn the APC..." Read more
"...Easy to program and helpful when it comes to DJing and cueing light scenes...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the size of the audio midi controller. They mention that it is small, light, and perfect for a DJ. Some say that it can fit in most laptop cases, making it simple and portable. Overall, most are happy with the compact size and lightweight design of the product.
"...The pads feel great and are a good size, plus the 8x8 grid on the $99 APC Mini is larger than the $399 APC40 MkII's 8x5 grid...." Read more
"...Product is nice and sturdy and can fit in most laptop cases. It's a little larger than the orginal iPad for sizing purposes." Read more
"...The Korg gives me transport control, solo, mute, and arm record per channel...." Read more
"...Easy to use mapped for Virtual DJ & Ableton live. Simple portable powerful midi controller here." Read more
Customers appreciate the value of the audio midi controller. They say it's amazing for the price, and can be used as a very inexpensive general purpose box of controls. Some customers also say it has lots of fun for little cash.
"...as part of a mobile studio, and it would also be a good, low cost piece of gear for those new to Ableton and digital music, who want to make sure..." Read more
"...tools, but I thought this APC Was a little difficult to use, great value if you have a setup studio and time to learn the APC, ITS NOT WHAT I WAS..." Read more
"...It's amazing for the price but the most annoying thing is that it has no "user mode" like the launchpad...." Read more
"...But it can also be used as a very inexpensive general purpose box of controls for all kinds of other applications, even non-musical ones...." Read more
Customers find the audio midi controller very versatile and incredible for mapping anything on the APC mini to anything on their computer. They say it has features too many to mention and is perfect for controlling lighting software via MIDI. Every button and fader is independently mappable to scenes and macros, and the LEDs are even controllable by QLC. This makes for flawless light shows and is ideal for hybrid sets with rekordbox.
"...The sleek design looks great with my setup and the backlights for the pads are much brighter and full than the APC40 mk1...." Read more
"The APC Mini is a versatile machine. Launches clips and sessions quickly in Ableton...." Read more
"...The Novation is also more customizable, which is a win...." Read more
"...Look it up, it's incredible for mapping anything on the APC mini to *anything* on your lighting console/software." Read more
Customers like the comfort of the audio midi controller. They say the faders on the Novation just feel better, and the pads are nice and responsive.
"...Just pop it in the same bag with your laptop. The pads feel great and are a good size, plus the 8x8 grid on the $99 APC Mini is larger than the $399..." Read more
"...In particular, the faders on the Novation just feel better. The Novation is also more customizable, which is a win...." Read more
"...The buttons are thick and feel pretty good while using but I would use this for anything but track, or maybe FX selection, and control..." Read more
"...The pads are nice and responsive, and not so small that you would accidentally hit two pads at once...." Read more
Customers dislike the buttons on the audio midi controller. They mention that they stopped working, the grid buttons are a bit mushier, and there is no way to label them. Some say the pads do not turn on when they plug the controller in. Some complain that the lights never turn on. Overall, customers are not happy with the buttons and the quality of the product.
"...The buttons cannot be used as drum triggers, as the only MIDI message the buttons send is 0 OR 127. Each button is a MIDI note (Like A#3 or C3 etc.)...." Read more
"...The grid buttons are a bit mushier though.It connects seamlessly with Live...." Read more
"...As far as ableton live, it works but not as you expect. The pads do not turn on when you plug the controller; it takes few attempts before it..." Read more
"...The only downside is that there is no way to label buttons. We have to come up with options." Read more
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The sleek design looks great with my setup and the backlights for the pads are much brighter and full than the APC40 mk1. No need for a power cable, just plug right into any usb. The faders feel sturdy and have good resistance when being moved, plus they're indented in which helps if you need to keep this APC Mini on the go. Just pop it in the same bag with your laptop. The pads feel great and are a good size, plus the 8x8 grid on the $99 APC Mini is larger than the $399 APC40 MkII's 8x5 grid. It baffles my mind that Akai didn't upgrade the grid on the new APC40...
If you're worried about the shift button being a nuisance or hindrance to your creative flow, don't fret. Just like anyone that used the APC20, it becomes second nature navigating Ableton with this new controller, plus the small size makes it soo much easier to control even with one hand when using the Shift button to fly around Ableton Live. Many times I play guitar while controlling Live with the APC Mini and the convenient small size helps so much for quick changes during a performance.
There are a few simple draw backs compared to the apc40, but for 1/4th of the price of the new APC40 MkII (when it was released / when this review was written) there is no need to complain. The APC Mini only works with Live 9.1.3, any earlier version and you're just SOL. You will need to remember where faders were located when shifting back and forth between volume and device control (the same issue was with the APC20). Though a good thing is the device doesn't change the volume level in Ableton when you switch back from controlling a device until you move the fader a good amount. Also it's just a three color grid like the old APCs, unlike the new multi-colored grid on the Mk II. Another drawback is that the arrow keys only move by a single track, but give the Ableton faithful a few months to get their hands on this device and custom scripts will be available for the APC Mini and APC Key 25 just like the first APC40 and APC20 has now. Also the pads are not velocity sensitive, but no APC has that functionality.
I combine the APC Mini with a Korg NanoKontrol2 and I have all the functionality I need.
The minor flaw is that every time you start the program, you must press every button to get them to light up to the color you want. BTW there's only 3 colors on the majority of the buttons and some only have 1. I wish there were more colored LEDs or even just add a blue one to each button with color mixing capibility. What also stinks about having to press every button on start up of program is some I had set as one-click-on-one-click-off and others were set as momentary switches, so having to know which is which is a little difficult.
As for in Abelton Live Lite, they definitely designed the board around the program.
Be ready to open two accounts at startup. One is the Akai Pro Account and the others Abelton Account.
Product is nice and sturdy and can fit in most laptop cases. It's a little larger than the orginal iPad for sizing purposes.
If you are seeking to simply harvest the controller functions, and map them to your Traktor or DAW, then you are fine. The buttons cannot be used as drum triggers, as the only MIDI message the buttons send is 0 OR 127. Each button is a MIDI note (Like A#3 or C3 etc.). So the buttons are merely note ON/OFF controllers. Even the round buttons are merely MIDI notes ON/OFF. Only bummer for Traktor, is no knobs. You can map the faders as knobs, nevertheless.
For Ableton tweakers:
What I do is use columns 1-7 for clip launch, the top right button for tap tempo (mapped) the 8th fader to control the Send A channel fader (Reverb for example, but I have a delay plugged into it instead). Turn up all Send A on channels 1-7. Use the mapped 8th fader to bring in Delay (but this affects the delay tail if you have to turn it down to mute it suddenly, that's the only bummer). Finally, Column 8 I map the next 7 buttons down after the first one to turn on and off the chopper effect placed on each track (column) associated with a button in column 8 (button on rows 2-8) except for the tap tempo button on the top right.
My point is, that this thing is very versatile if you are not afraid to map midi.
Even without mapping, it is still very workable.
But I only use this to launch and mix songs for event DJing (if you want to call that being a dj)
Top reviews from other countries
Reviewed in Germany on January 22, 2021
I paid £53.30 for this. It arrived 5 days earlier than expected in exactly the condition it is supposed to be in. It came packaged with a copy of Ableton Live 9 Intro, which I didn't need, a copy of the Air Hybrid virtual synthesiser, which isn't bad at all, and a fairly respectable sample pack to get you started. The total value, bought separately, would be close to £100. So there is really no question of value for money. More importantly, if you just bought this device, you would have enough hardware, samples, and software to start making music immediately. So that's a hell of a deal for the beginner electronic musician.
All in all, I couldn't recommend the product or the seller more. Excellent price. Excellent product. Unusually swift delivery, particularly given the fact that the whole world is in shutdown because of a pandemic. Hats off to the seller! You have made me a very happy camper!!!