The Best Budget Controllers for Ableton Live? Akai APC Mini MK2 vs APC Key 25 MK2 // Tutorial/Review

I’m surprised that Akai have never made an APC ‘Pro’ version with full size keys rather than mini keys - but, then again - if you look how long the current MPK range has been out without an update, then maybe it’s no surprise at all, as their focus seems to be elsewhere.

Thnx, you are very help me with choice.🎉

where can I find a detailed manual for APC Key 25 MK2?

I've got a Launchkey49, Alesis V25, and Akai MPD32. I'm looking for a 4th device. I'm trying to keep each of these 3 dedicated to controlling the VSTs they're linked to, so my instinct says to favor the Mini MK2 over the Key 25. Can you offer some extra considerations for me here? I'm only just exploring Ableton - I have been using FL Studio for ages but switched to Reaper last year. I'm finding appeal in Ableton now because of the real-time performance aspect. Thoughts?

APC mini is the worst controller I experienced, I bought brand new MK1 and had the unit froze playing live, changed it to another new one, same thing. When the shift key is pressed, the unit froze randomly. I will never buy any Akai for ever!

I want apc mini with probability fill and randomization

I am interested in apc mini

These MIDI controllers are intended to work in session view but you mentioned in the video that you’d discuss MIDI controllers that are better suited for arrangement view but never got to it. Which are those? Thank you

solid work again as always, thanks mate

Hey loopop, I just watched this once again and realized the benefits of running both side by side like in the demo here. I noticed that you had both running different parameters at same time and could even spread the grid out between the two on projects greater than 8 tracks without having to toggle direction box focus. Looks like a cool setup with them together!

Hi! I have a question. How I can put color in the pads?

Man. What a wonderful video this was! 100 percent supporting you buddy! You're amazing! ❤

Thank you, so much for the valuable information sir, hats off to you, clear explaination, and slowly explained which was very important to me. Keep going.. keep up the good work

Thanks

I couldn’t get these to work. Went through all of the setup steps and… KO lights, no nothing. Installed software and set up In Ableton. Nothing.

I wish they would make an APC with knobs instead of sliders.

This was so helpful!

This got me thinking why there aren't many note grid layouts for guitar/bass players who don't want to fork over the cash for a midi guitar setup - like a EADG kind of bass set up a 4x8 grid possibly could work - just keying in chord shapes could save some time

A budget mixer/slider controller I really have found helpful is the novation Launch Control XL - obviously not a direct competitor for these, but for my workflow, good-sized sliders and nice knobs, and I thought it worth mentioning as well!

the old apc mini is available for a low price, is worth it to get the new ? dont really need the key, drum modes. the rgb is convincing though.

Beautiful ending 👋

hello, cool tuto again, apc mini i can't find midi mapping (like nano korg), fader full put live fader above 0db , its for live act, quick cut vol .. best vibes

any luck midi mapping anything with Cmd+M?? it wont work for me :(

Or can I combine both these together with my Akai MPC one

Oh nice would AKAI APC KEY 25 MK2 this work well for guitarist or better the apc mini without keyboard 🎹

Do the pads on the Key 25 send MIDI messages? I currently use the pads on a Novation Circuit (which is slowly dying) to trigger shortcuts I have MIDI mapped in Ableton. Trying to figure out of the Key 25 would be a good replacement.

the new mini is a banger product imo

Hey! Do you know if it is compatible as a grid for Monome Norns like the mk1?

Hey Loopop, great video. I was actually on the market to pick up the apc40mkii when I saw your video. I’ve seen producers set up up to 3 apc40s together and use them to track out an arrangement. Are you able to use multiple apcminis to do the same ? Thanks

what about mini vs 40

Warning ! Is worth to mention that this unit lives only with Ableton 11.2.7. If you, like me stuck on older, stable Ableton than APC 25 is useless for you.

Anyone making cases for the mini II controller yet?

Xlnt review and info to ponder. Demo song was very cool and a great example/inspiration of what can be done with these. thanks so much.

Great vid! First time here and....wow! Still new to Ableton with my Novation Launchkey mini MK3, but does they APC Mini MK2 would be a good addition ?

Gimme a sequencer and i'll buy it

Hi loopop, I purchased APC Key 25 MK2 after watching this, and I am not able to assign the 8 knobs as custom as it is stated "assignable knobs" on the website. Just wanted to make sure if I'm missing something, or this unit is just built like so. Any information would be much appreciated. Thank you!

I want the APC Mini just so I can watch the names of all the different scales scroll across the pads in huge lettering.

IT ONLY WORKS WITH ABLETON 11

Amazing tune at the end !

I hope that the faders are better quality than the faders on the APC mini MK1. Once those faders didn't work correctly anymore, Ableton went crazy with the volume levels.

can you perform drum rolls on this?

Great video, was thinking it would be good as an external controller for the mpc live (faders for levels and dedicated pads to trigger stuff when in song mode) but can’t seem to find out if it is customisable as a stand alone midi controller. Would be amazing It it came with an editor like the older native instruments maschine controllers. But it looks like it’s purely a dedicated Ableton thing 😩

Hello, I bought it (apc key mk2), but it looks impossible to map manually the knobs. Do you know why? Thanks!

great !! So is there any way to upgrade my old apc mini with these new features ? some software update should do that right ?

Thanks for the video, this movement towards making controllers for one application worries me that the next apc40 could go the same way.

Now make a 37 with knobs and faders, velocity sensitive and aftertouch! :)