Akai Professional APC Key 25 Controller Keyboard

Akai APC Key 25 Product Overview by GAK

Akai have combined a superb clip launching panel with a fantastic keyboard to create the APC Key 25 controller.

The unit features 25 synth action mini keys, 8 control knobs, a clip-launch matrix with tri-colour lighting display as well as a whole host of other features.

The controller comes mapped to Ableton with easy plug and play connectivity, making it absolutely perfect for both live or studio use.

Introducing VIP 3.0

Experience expanded control of your VST instrument and effect collection with APC Key 25 and VIP3.0 (Free Download Included). VIP3.0 provides you with unparalleled access to your virtual instrument and effect collection, seamlessly integrating the hardware / software experience and grants the unrestricted freedom to create in a user-friendly, intuitive format. The combination of VIP and APC Key 25 maximizes workflow and ensures a playing experience that feels natural and enhances creativity – the natural, tactile feel of hardware  fused with the unrivalled processing capability of virtual Instruments.

Quickly find sounds based on instrument type, timbre, style or articulation from your entire VST library; sculpt immersive, expressive sounds and textures layering up to 8 separate instruments and patches per VIP instance; load up to 4 different VST effects per instrument channel to sculpt the perfect sound; put power into your performance with Pad Chord Progressions and user-friendly Key Control processors; and much more. From live performance to studio production, VIP’s user-friendly functionality coupled with a diverse feature set guarantees simple, seamless integration into your existing setup and provides the ultimate platform for unrestricted creative expression.

Akai Product Overview

Designed for the performing musician or the conventional composer, APC Key 25 is the first Ableton Live controller from Akai Professional that is equipped with a high-performance keyboard. Uniting the power of a clip-launching panel with a keyboard interface, APC Key 25 couples real-time control of Ableton Live with traditional composition tools: create melodies, compose bass lines, and play chords with 25 synth-action mini keys. Plus, dedicated buttons for Octave Up, Octave Down, and Sustain expand the expressive capabilities of the keyboard, enabling you to tap into the full melodic range and perform with classic piano-style sustain.

APC Key 25 features a 5x8 multicolour clip-launching grid that’s built for dexterous exploration: launch clips and create or perform your song from the ground up using 40 responsive triggers. Tri-colour lighting provides visual feedback and displays three clip statuses—loaded, playing, and recording—so you can intelligently perform without looking at your computer. Plus, you can use the Shift button and directional arrows to manipulate the scope of the 5x8 grid.

APC Key 25 comes equipped with eight control knobs that are laid out next to the clip-launching grid for easy tweaking. Users can change knob 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 knob is completely assignable for flexible mixing and mapping options.

APC Key 25 comes pre-mapped to Live for an instant performance and production setup. When APC Key 25 is plugged into your computer, its hardware controls correspond 1 to 1 with Ableton Live’s interface—no additional configuring is required. For APC veterans, all of APC Key 25’s controls can be re-assigned on the fly for customized setups that change with your performance or production style. Plus, APC Key 25 can also be used as a general MIDI controller to manipulate other software applications such as virtual instruments, plugins, and DAWs.

Akai Professional Introduces MPC Beats - Beat Making Starts Here Ever wanted to get into the exciting world of beat making, but don’t know where to start?……Built on the legacy of the legendary MPC hardware and innovative MPC2 desktop software, MPC Beats is available with select Akai Professional controllers and to anyone as a free download from the Akai Professional website, empowering new beat makers with all the tools to create excellent sounding beats.