* Disclaimer: OveReview is reader-supported. We earn commissions from qualifying purchases
AKAI Professional APC Key 25 - USB MIDI Keyboard Controller for Ableton Live with 25 Piano Style Keys, 40 Buttons and 8 Assignable Encoders AKAI Professional APC Key 25 - USB MIDI Keyboard Controller for Ableton Live with 25 Piano Style Keys, 40 Buttons and 8 Assignable Encoders AKAI Professional APC Key 25 - USB MIDI Keyboard Controller for Ableton Live with 25 Piano Style Keys, 40 Buttons and 8 Assignable Encoders AKAI Professional APC Key 25 - USB MIDI Keyboard Controller for Ableton Live with 25 Piano Style Keys, 40 Buttons and 8 Assignable Encoders AKAI Professional APC Key 25 - USB MIDI Keyboard Controller for Ableton Live with 25 Piano Style Keys, 40 Buttons and 8 Assignable Encoders

AKAI Professional APC Key 25 - USB MIDI Keyboard Controller for Ableton Live with 25 Piano Style Keys, 40 Buttons and 8 Assignable Encoders

AKAI Professional APC Key 25 - USB MIDI Keyboard Controller for Ableton Live with 25 Piano Style Keys, 40 Buttons and 8 Assignable Encoders AKAI Professional APC Key 25 - USB MIDI Keyboard Controller for Ableton Live with 25 Piano Style Keys, 40 Buttons and 8 Assignable Encoders AKAI Professional APC Key 25 - USB MIDI Keyboard Controller for Ableton Live with 25 Piano Style Keys, 40 Buttons and 8 Assignable Encoders AKAI Professional APC Key 25 - USB MIDI Keyboard Controller for Ableton Live with 25 Piano Style Keys, 40 Buttons and 8 Assignable Encoders AKAI Professional APC Key 25 - USB MIDI Keyboard Controller for Ableton Live with 25 Piano Style Keys, 40 Buttons and 8 Assignable Encoders
$ 109.00

Score By Feature

Based on 3,409 ratings
Satisfaction
8.60
Value for money
8.56
Delivery
8.89
Customer service
9.03

OveReview Final Score

How Our Score Is Calculated

Product Description

Total Control - Ableton Live USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with built-in 25-note synthesizer keyboard and dedicated octave up and down buttons for expanding the keyboard's melodic range.
Easy Setup – USB-powered, plug-and-play setup for Mac and PC, with one-to-one Ableton Live integration.
Command Everything - For immersive performances, eight assignable encoders map to Ableton Live to control volume and sends to virtual instruments, drum machines, and effects.
Jam, compose, and create with a 40-pad clip-launch controller matrix with tri-color lighting displays for triggering samples, loops, and one-shots.
Design that Goes Anywhere - The lightweight, ultra-portable design fits easily into a laptop bag.
Everything You Need - Ableton Live Lite, AIR Music Tech's Hybrid 3, SONiVOX Twist, TOOLROOM artist launch packs, and VIP 3 (downloads) are all included in this production software package for Mac and PC.

Questions & Answers

Is it necessary to purchase Ableton Live in order to create music, or does it come with a non-trial version of the software?

Don't believe the naysayers who claim Ableton isn't designed for production. Ableton was created for precisely this purpose. You'll still need a full version of Ableton Lite, Standard, or Suite to access all of the features you require.

Is it possible to use it with djuced?

That's right. It works with most daws, but it isn't the best in terms of performance; it's more suited to composition.

Is Logic Pro X compatible with it?

Greetings, Jose! AKAI support is on the way! The APC Key 25 maps well with Ableton right out of the box, but it still sends the same general MIDI messages as any other DAW. Please contact me directly at mvieira@inmusicbrands if you have any further questions. com.

Does each press of the 8x8 grid of soft buttons result in a note on and note off? Is it a constant velocity or none at all?

Good day, Blevok. br>The answer is a resounding NO. "ON" and "OFF" are the only buttons you have control over. br>I discovered this information while using the program MIDI- OX (Midi- ox is a free program that monitors the midi device's input and output commands. Here's what else you should know: 00 7F 1 C - 90 00 7F 1 C - 90 00 7F 1 C - 90 00 7F 1 C - 00 Note C - 1 Note ON, 90 Note ON, 1 Note ON, 90 Note ON, 90 Note ON, 90 Note ON, 90 Note ON, 90 Note ON 7F some information, 1 is the Channel 1 (where I was connected), 1 is the fundamental C less an Octave (the button (rectangle) at lower and left), 1 is the fundamental C less an Octave (the button (rectangle) at lower and left), 1 is the fundamental C less an Octave (the button (rectangle) at lower and left), 1 is the fundamental C br>80 00 7F 1 C - 80 00 7F 1 C - 80 00 7F 1 C - 80 00 7 1 Note OFF, where 80 denotes OFF and 00 denotes Note C. 1 (basic C minus an Octave, the button (rectangle) at the lower and left 7C), 1 is the Channel 1br>Sample: Using a VST drum, specifically the snare in this case. A button can be used to play the snare drum. Only when you press the button does the vst respond with the snare's maximum volume. br>The snare's response, whether slow or fast, is the same, as is its maximum volume. br>You won't be able to change the velocity because this device's firmware doesn't support it. br>I hope this response has been of assistance to you.

Selected User Reviews For AKAI Professional APC Key 25 - USB MIDI Keyboard Controller for Ableton Live with 25 Piano Style Keys, 40 Buttons and 8 Assignable Encoders

Ableton Live Lite was not included in this package
3/5

When I contacted customer service, I was told that "Ableton is a different company than Akai," and then directed to a free trial download of the FULL Ableton Live. As far as I can tell, this is outright false advertising. If Ableton Live Lite isn't included as advertised, I'm not sure how there are so many positive reviews.

Thiago Byrd
Thiago Byrd
| Mar 05, 2021
Akai had let me down yet again
3/5

I've never had a good experience with Akai products. I have keyboards and controllers, but they never work as they should; Which is unfortunate, because their devices could easily outperform many more expensive products if they only had adequate software and firmware support. br>br>The APC mini is, at its core, a live controller for Ableton Live. If you want to use it for something else, don't bother because there are no configurable controls, everything is fixed, and all the pads work as midi notes, so you can't assign CC commands to the side buttons, for example. br>br>Ableton Live works, but not as expected: the pads do not turn on when the controller is plugged in; It takes a few tries before the cells with clips in them begin to light up. Recording and moving through cells didn't work for me because everything was very ad hoc and unclear. It's like night and day when compared to the Novation Launchpad. br>br>I was hoping that the faders would be useful, but they weren't; If you already have a fader controller, you won't be able to use it because it's locked to control changes that can't be changed. br>br>At the end of the day, if you only use Ableton and can get it to work, it might be useful to you. However, if you use different software, such as a DAW and VST, as I do, If you're looking for something to power your setup, forget about it.

Desmond Hill
Desmond Hill
| May 28, 2021
It doesn't work with FL Studio, and it's likely that it won't work with other programs as well
3/5

"I have a question: Is it necessary to purchase Ableton Live in order to create music, or does it come with a non-trial version of the software? br>Answer: If you're looking for a unique way to express yourself, try using the words Although Ableton 9 lite is included, it may be necessary to download the software. However, Ableton is not required to create music; it can be used in conjunction with other music software. "br>br>Yeah, it "functions" in "other music software" in the sense that none of the buttons work as intended, the LED lights don't work, and you can't reprogram it. When someone says this midi-length, they're being generous, if not deceitful. Aside from Ableton, the controller appears to be useful for any program. br>br>On the same day that I received the apc25, I returned it. My Akai mpk-2000 is still in use. With the mini mkII controller, assigning new functions to the pads and knobs is simple.

Dior Larsen
Dior Larsen
| Apr 26, 2021
Lighting controller that is really cool
5/5

Lighting controller that is really cool. br>We use these boards with QLC, a lighting controller software, and after battling with a few other control surface brands, we've settled on these. All of the buttons are accessible via MIDI, and the LEDs can even be controlled via QLC, allowing you to see which functions are currently active.

Judah Fuentes
Judah Fuentes
| May 03, 2021
It's a lot more durable than it appears in the photo
4/5

I got it today, and it does exactly what you'd expect. I debated for a long time about this because it appears to be a fragile toy in the photos. It's a lot more sturdy than it appears in the photo. The faders are smooth but not perfect, and the buttons are thick and feel good to use, but I wouldn't use this for anything other than track, FX selection, and control (assuming mapping is possible, but I haven't tested). Overall, I would strongly recommend this product for the price. It's impossible to make a mistake with this. It comes with Ableton Live Lite, which is currently priced at $100, so if you were planning on purchasing that, you should get this instead. If you want to finger-paint, I also HIGHLY recommend the MPD218. some loops on the drums.

Braelyn Tate
Braelyn Tate
| Nov 21, 2021
This launcher for clips is fantastic
5/5

I use this device to launch Resolume audio clips. In conjunction with an APC Midi Mix, visual sets are used. This device would also work well to launch clips in Ableton Live; I've used it to perform live shows and it's always worked reliably; I'd buy it again if it was damaged or stolen. br>br>After reading the hardware and software manuals, mapping MIDI notes to this controller in Resolume is simple. br>br>For the APC Mini, Resolume provides a default configuration, so you can just plug it in and start using it right away. br>br>Because I don't use this device to play melodies or other musical functions that require velocity sensitivity, I have no idea how well it handles those details. This device is not up to the task of competing with high-end devices. I don't think you should expect it to work with high-end controllers like an Ableton Push at this price point.

Josiah MIAH
Josiah MIAH
| Jul 17, 2021

Related Products For AKAI Professional APC Key 25 - USB MIDI Keyboard Controller for Ableton Live with 25 Piano Style Keys, 40 Buttons and 8 Assignable Encoders