The Akai APC20, introduced at the 2010 Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA, retails for about $200.
Akai APC20 Features:
- Designed in partnership with Ableton, mapped for Live, and fully customizable
- Clip Launch matrix with multicolor lighting displays current clip status
- No mapping required; every button and fader is pre-mapped
- Bidirectional hardware/software communication for visual feedback on APC20
- Solid, professional feel with rugged, metal chassis and premium controls
- Comes with Ableton Live Akai Professional APC Edition software
- Works with standalone editions of Ableton Live
- USB plug-and-play connection for Mac and PC
INCLUDES:
- APC20 Ableton performance controller
- USB cable
- Power supply
- Software CD
- Quick start guide
Description:
Akai Professional worked with Ableton to create the APC20, the second control surface created by Akai for performance with Ableton Live software. Like the APC40, adding the APC20 transforms the user’s experience from one of constructing tracks with a keyboard and mouse to composing and performing with a fully integrated hardware/software musical system.
Like the APC40, the APC20 centers on its five-by-eight Clip Launch grid. This bank of multicolor triggers not only start and stop clips playing in Live, they also show cells’ status in the software – whether a clip is loaded or not, whether it is playing or not, record-armed status and more. Clip Stop triggers, transport controls and faders round out the control surface. Users can switch the APC20’s faders between volume control, pan, sends and three different user-mapped modes. A new Note Mode enables musicians to use the Clip Launch buttons to control virtual instruments and Ableton Live’s Drum Rack.
Because Akai Professional and Ableton designed the APC20 for use with Ableton Live software, the system is plug and play, although advanced Live users will appreciate that the APC20 enables them to remap every one of its controls to suit their own style.
The APC20 will be available from pro audio and musical instrument retailers in January 2010. It has a U.S. Retail Price of $299.00 and an estimated street price of $199.00
needs a power supply… ugh. -1
Hmm, interesting… Response to Novation? or just a way to sell people one the APC 40 idea at a cheaper price? both? hmm. interesting…
Available in April ? Bzzzzt. This critter has been available for weeks now at my local music store. Approx. E 195,-. The Novation Launchpad goes for approx. E 169,- around here.
Quite frankly I'm skeptical. I really *love* the APC40, I work with that one on almost a daily basis. But this one? Should I ever want to expand on my controllers I'd first look into the Novation Launchpad first: No extra power supply needed, extremely versatile since you can program the grid (a *larger* grid than the APC's at that) in whatever way you want, and its lighter and easier to carry around. And with M4L in my toolbag the sky would be the only limit there.
One could say that the M4L comment also applies to the APC's. Yeah, well.. Yes and no. Documentation on control surfaces is still sparse. And Novation has actually launched several M4L patches already to extend on their Launchpad. There's much to learn there…
Another thing, but that's personal and perhaps a tad silly, but I also strongly believe in "overspecialize; and you breed in weakness". Why limit yourself to one way or doing stuff whereas other kinds of controllers might give you whole new radical ideas or approaches on your work?
Available in April ? Bzzzzt. This critter has been available for weeks now at my local music store. Approx. E 195,-. The Novation Launchpad goes for approx. E 169,- around here.
Quite frankly I'm skeptical. I really *love* the APC40, I work with that one on almost a daily basis. But this one? Should I ever want to expand on my controllers I'd first look into the Novation Launchpad first: No extra power supply needed, extremely versatile since you can program the grid (a *larger* grid than the APC's at that) in whatever way you want, and its lighter and easier to carry around. And with M4L in my toolbag the sky would be the only limit there.
One could say that the M4L comment also applies to the APC's. Yeah, well.. Yes and no. Documentation on control surfaces is still sparse. And Novation has actually launched several M4L patches already to extend on their Launchpad. There's much to learn there…
Another thing, but that's personal and perhaps a tad silly, but I also strongly believe in "overspecialize; and you breed in weakness". Why limit yourself to one way or doing stuff whereas other kinds of controllers might give you whole new radical ideas or approaches on your work?
with the launchpad and my SL Remote keyboard and some automap & Max/MSP akai still falls short… (boo to the new akai)
APC's needing the power supply is the deal breaker.
LAUNCHPAD with no knobs is the deal breaker.
I need a unit that's usb powered with the amount of pads the APC or LAUNCHPAD have with knobs and at least 8 faders.
APC's needing the power supply is the deal breaker.
LAUNCHPAD with no knobs is the deal breaker.
I need a unit that's usb powered with the amount of pads the APC or LAUNCHPAD have with knobs and at least 8 faders.
what is your local music store called???
really want one and its taking forever to get shipped to sweetwater.com
Enjoyed reading this post, thanks a ton 🙂
is this node mode available for apc 40 too?