Home » News » Akai Professional® Debuts Vibrant New APC64 Pad Controller for Ableton Live

Meet the future of Ableton Live music production control with the illuminant APC64 featuring 64 RGB pads, eight assignable touch strip faders, and an internal eight-track 32-step sequencer.

 

Cumberland, RI, USA (Oct 10, 2023)—Akai Professional, a leading musical equipment and computer software manufacturer for performers and producers, is proud to unveil APC64. The next generation of Akai Ableton Live controllers delivers the most hands-on experience yet, offering users incredible command of Ableton Live music creation, mixing, and performance in one sleek new control surface.

Touch the Future

For over 15 years, the APC line has empowered producers, songwriters, performers, and other music creatives with powerful control that blurred the lines between composing and performing. From studio to stage, APC delivers tactile interaction that enables immediate music creation right from the source of inspiration: you.

APC64 is the next-generation Ableton Live controller that brings your sounds to life in a way like never before. Touch the future of what is possible for your music with APC64.

“APC was a revolutionary product that empowered Ableton Live composers and performers who needed exceptionally tactile control with an almost organic ability to respond in the moment,” Senior Akai Professional Product Manager Dan Gill shares. “APC64 is the culmination of years of development, user feedback, and innovative drive to present the modern music maker with a tool that embraces technological advances of today while maintaining the essence of uber responsive musical workflow. Get ready to control and experience Ableton Live like never before.”

Redesigned Hardware & Interface

APC64 features a revolutionary design from inside out. A true progression for the modern Ableton Live user, APC64 is built for touch and to respond as an extension of the player. The 8×8 pad matrix features 64 RGB pads with polyphonic aftertouch. Each pad responds to subtle tap all the way up to rapid strikes for every style of playing and performance. Play the pads and count on precision without sacrificing expression.

Add personalization and character to any performance with the eight assignable touch strips. Whether to control pitch, vibrato, or beyond, the eight touch strips elevate any performance with ease. Set the touch strips to mix mode to control the Ableton Live mixer device to adjust volume or insert effects sends on the fly. RGB LED indicators provide guidance to keep your eyes on APC64 and your heart in the music. An LED screen delivers important track information in vibrant color for easy viewing.

Even with its sleek design, APC64 boasts a new I/O interface unlike any other APC. APC64 features eight TS CV/Gate outputs to interface with modern modular racks and devices. Three MIDI jacks support I/O for synths, keyboards, drum machines, samplers, and more, allowing you to integrate your favorite equipment—whether vintage or modern. External hardware devices can be controlled by APC64 through Ableton Live or by the 8-track internal Step Sequencer, without the use of a computer.

Powerfully Intuitive Ableton Live Control

APC64 is true to its roots as a premium Ableton Live controller. Manage even the largest projects seamlessly thanks to the bankable 8×8 pad matrix. The bold RGB pads ensure you’ll always see the right pad colors for accurate clip and scene launching. Jump from track to track or control mutes and solos with a row of buttons that put your most needed commands at your fingertips. APC64 provides deep integration with Drum Rack to ensure clean performances with tight control of parameters. Dedicated Note and Drum modes enable easy toggling from melodic to percussive entry modes without missing a minute of clip launching action.

AP64 is bundled with a copy of Ableton Live Lite, the most powerful contemporary music production and performance software trusted by today’s leading creatives.

Internal Step Sequencer

APC64 brings revolutionary innovation as the first APC device to feature an internal step sequencer. The eight-track sequencer features 32 steps per track that can control devices over USB, MIDI, or CV/Gate. Use the 8×8 pad matrix or Touch Strips to shape pitch, modulation, or any other MIDI CC of your instruments without the use of a computer.

Connect and control your favorite musical tools and free yourself up to spontaneous and experimental jamming anywhere with nearly any device. Link and chain your sequences into one monumental song, or send your most creative ideas to Ableton Live to be incorporated into larger Ableton Live songs and projects. APC64 provides versatility and flexibility to work however inspiration comes to you—ready to plug into devices of all kinds and put powerful music creation in your hands.

APC64 Key Features

  • 8×8 clip launching and note performance matrix
  • Velocity-sensitive RGB-enabled pads with polyphonic aftertouch
  • 8 assignable touch strip faders for mixer, effects, and device controls
  • Internal 8-track, 32-step sequencer for real-time performing with or without a computer
  • Note and Drum modes for creative pad performance
  • Custom mode with Software Editor for full user configuration
  • 3 1/8” MIDI ports to connect keyboards and desktop synths
  • 8 CV/Gate output ports to control external modular devices
  • Includes Ableton Live Lite 11 production software

Akai Professional APC64: Now Available to Order Worldwide

APC64 is now available to order through authorized Akai Professional dealers worldwide and through the inMusic Store for $399 USD. Visit Akaipro.com to learn more or find a dealer near you.

About Akai Professional

The world’s most influential manufacturer of music production gear, Akai Professional develops creative technologies to empower music makers with tools that are unmatched in expressive capability. Akai Professional is best known for creating the legendary MPC, an instrument that has inspired generations of producers and performers and spawned entirely new genres of music. Akai Professional is a part of the inMusic family of premier music brands.

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