Akai APC Mini Review - Ableton Live Controller

[@dannywolke8545]

Mate the use of the pedal to overdub is genius! You have just made my life a million times easier thankyou!!

[@ToddAudio]

+Danny Wolke Thanks! Glad I could help out!

[@emmamccallum9800]

When I pick the music and drag when I press the button on the mini pad there's no sound I am using a mac computer everything is working just have no clue on how to get the sound out, when I click say drum I can hear it when I transfer it and press the button on the mini pad no sound ?? Pls HELP

[@emmamccallum9800]

Hi I have just brought this and downloaded the software but when I move the music and when I want to play back from the mini no sound can I ask what am I doing wrong how do I get the sound out??

[@okidot]

Hey! I have a question about this that I haven't found an answer to yet! I'm confused how the faders won't clash when toggling between volume/send etc. If my 'volume' is set to full, and I then set 'send' to 20 percent, what happens when I return the fader back to volume to do a slow fade out. If the faders new position is now 20percent, i'm under the impression, that if i now touch the fader when back in volume mode, it will just lock to whatever position the previous mode was on. Hope i'm explaining properly!

[@denguezlymustapha2315]

Had to speed it up x2

[@MeriAmber]

It's amazing how similar this is to the Maschine setup! I guess the major difference is that it's linked up to Ableton and Ableton's set of toys :P Also having the scenes accessible by buttons on the side makes it nice and simpler for that particular thing too. I'd love to see you do some live looping with this setup!

[@MeriAmber]

***** coolness!!

[@papathrv1968]

OK u got me with the intro

[@ToddAudio]

hahaha thanks!

[@tomigray]

you're a good man Todd

[@ToddAudio]

Thank you Tomi!

[@amalferry]

Are the Akai AOC's Faders good for Modulation and Expression midi controlling?

[@ToddAudio]

They can be assigned to midi in order to control that type of thing, but they probably aren't the best out there for it. It is a simple, functional design, but in my experience the faders aren't the most precise and can be a bit jumpy sometimes. It wasn't a major issue for me and still might be fine for experimenting with modulation and expression.

[@MrStevem121]

Cheers Todd. This was a nice demo and insight into what it can do. I was considering to get a Launchpad Pro but my main reason was for live looping functions. This appears to fill my needs for now. Do you still use it? I noticed in one of your newer videos that you have another type of grid controller. P.s. The bird sitting on your shoulder made me laugh. He/she was obviously considering whether to buy one of these or not.

[@lexxiestinky975]

can you show how to set it up iv been trying ever since christmas!

[@lexxiestinky975]

as in download the program

[@ToddAudio]

In the box for the hardware, there should be some information on how to register the product at Ableton.com. Once you create an account and register the product, you should then have access to a free download of Ableton Live Lite software. Then, just install it, plug in the APC Mini, open the software, and it should recognize the APC Mini automatically.

[@lexxiestinky975]

Todd Audio oh thanks

[@ToddAudio]

No problem! Enjoy!

[@Rhumbaone]

I love the way you speak. Wow what a wonderful guy!!!

[@ToddAudio]

Thank you!

[@artemi-music]

thanks for your review

[@wavesofgrey-vb9gw]

Do buttons C (circular buttons above the faders) do anything besides a solid on/off red? And does the shift button any sort of lighting effect?

[@ToddAudio]

As for as lighting they only do a solid on and off red. Depending on what mode you are in they show which tracks are active. For example, in recording mode, you use them to select which tracks to activate recording on. If you hold shift and press the ones with the "arrow" signals near them, the move the range of tracks and scenes that the APC mini controls.

[@thedragonflyr]

thanks for the helpful video! much appreciated. Question ... with the Clip Stop Buttons set to either "Record-Arm Mode OR Select Mode", can you select MULTIPLE tracks at once? I want to layer VST Synths, so I'd like to be able to select multiple tracks (vst's) at once. I can do this with my Akai MPK261 .. just wondering if this "controller" will allow the same functionality. Of course, in Ableton I had to enable multiple track arming capabilities under Record/Warp/Launch Preferences. Thanks again!!

[@ToddAudio]

Yep, if multiple tracks are enabled, the circular "arm" buttons across the bottom of the mpc mini will work as a toggle on/off and you can have multiple armed at once.

[@thedragonflyr]

@@ToddAudio awesome. good to hear. Thank you for that quick reply!

[@ToddAudio]

No problem. Thanks for watching!

[@davidsimons5944]

Is the Akai the best thing for Ableton live 10? By the way I have a presonus studio 18/24 audio interface & I intend to buy an Iconnectivity midi interface. Would the Akai be limiting compared to more costly controllers & if so in what ways? I don't know whether to get something like this for just Ableton or one that covers native instruments too, unless the Akai can do that as well. Too much choice but too little cash!

[@ToddAudio]

This a great as a basic remote controller to streamline the Ableton creative process. However, it definitely can't do as much as the Ableton Push controllers. Especially with live performances, I've seen people doing a lot of cool things with the Push controllers. For me I just needed something with the simple functions this has so I really haven't yet researched and explored all the capabilities of the other more expensive controllers. I hope someone here can jump in and help you out in that area, and if I get a chance to research and learn more I will report back. Thanks for watching!

[@matthewmuli487]

Can I ask, would you say that the APC mini feels quite small

[@ToddAudio]

It is small but not so small that it's hard to use. I mostly use it for arming tracks and starting/stopping loop tracks and scenes. I like that it is portable and not super bulky. It can be useful for both live performances and for throwing down ideas quickly.. great as a general remote for the common functions in session view. If I am polishing out a mix I usually unplug it because sometimes the faders can cause a track volume level to change unexpectedly.

[@charlyjeannis4778]

hey todd this is djclynt thanks for this video about the mini.i just got it two days ago and i was having a hard time with it and that video help me a lot,login g forward for the next one.have one question can i use the mini with any roland aira gear

[@ToddAudio]

I haven't used Roland Aira but it they look super nice! Yes, you should definitely be able to use it for Roland Aira gear. You just set up an audio track in Ableton and set the input as your Roland Aira (or the audio input it is plugged into).. or if you are using it as a midi controller just set up a midi track in Ableton with a midi instrument plugin, and then set that track to be controlled by the Roland Aira midi input. Does this make since? This should be about the same process for any instrument or midi controller. (First, you might need to go to Options at the top > Preferences.. and then make sure it is recognizing your equipment in the audio and midi tabs.) Hope this helps! Thanks for watching djclynt!

[@ivan-pan]

Hi man! Can you please tell me the name of your keyboard? Ive worked with that but forgot the name and now looking fot this keys! Thanks.

[@ToddAudio]

+Ivan Certainly. The big one is a Korg X50. I think that is the one you mean right? The small midi keyboard is a Arturia MinLab

[@ivan-pan]

Todd Audio yep! I wana know anout big one. Super keys! Super sound. Thanks man.

[@ToddAudio]

+Ivan no problem!

[@TheHILLBILLY419]

Is this a good one to start out with to Learn Ableton ????

[@ToddAudio]

+Hill Billy Yes it would be excellent for that! You can actually learn Ableton without any external controllers but this product would probably make it easier to learn and definitely easier to use.

[@theperonists9113]

video is helpfull man! thanks! wanted to know if the pedal you use is a regular one (jack input) or if its a midi-usb one?

[@ToddAudio]

+Federico S Randall hey thank you! It is a regular pedal.

[@harshab9301]

What laptop is that? I think I got the same one 😂 Latitude E6410, and which AKG model is that you're using? (Headphones, K52?)

[@ToddAudio]

Haha yes it is an E6410! And K52 headphones!

[@harshab9301]

@@ToddAudio Cool. Old latitudes rock man. Mine still does 😂. Good content btw. Cheers. 🙏🏻

[@ToddAudio]

Haha mine too! Thank you, Cheers!

[@BeezlyJackal]

anyone know some good monstercat project files for this device?

[@rgrandles]

btrill just ordered one

[@memphis_s6843]

thanks for the review i wanted to buy this and didn't want to buy something bad

[@ToddAudio]

+PBJ Muffin no problem! I'm happy I could help out! I am still using mine frequently and love it! Great deal on a nice piece of equipment.

[@memphis_s6843]

cool thanks for responding

[@ToddAudio]

+PBJ Muffin no problem. Enjoy it, and have a good weekend.

[@harrytaylor3262]

Todd Audio how to I use my Apc mini

[@harrytaylor3262]

Todd Audio like how do I set it up

[@nathanieltyghe4526]

How do you use it as a launch pad

[@ToddAudio]

+Nathaniel Tyghe The round buttons on the right launch the scene for that row of tracks. To launch an individual track, you just press the rectangle button for that track. Green light means the track is currently playing, yellow means there is a recorded track not playing, red means that track is currently recording, and no light means there is not a recording on that track yet.

[@nathanieltyghe4526]

Todd Audio how to get it to make the sound play straight away instead of in time

[@ToddAudio]

+Nathaniel Tyghe I haven't tried this an not home so can't test it.. but try setting the Global Quantization to "none" and see if that works. Hope so!

[@nathanieltyghe4526]

Todd Audio one last question how do I move around as I press the arrows keys and it doesn't move about

[@ToddAudio]

+Nathaniel Tyghe on the bottom circle button row of the APC Mini, there are white arrows next to some of the buttons. Hold the shift button on the bottom right of the launch pad and press the circlular buttons with the arrows to move the range (red box in ableton) around.

[@admdnh]

hey todd...good explaination....tq

[@ToddAudio]

Hey, no problem! Thanks for watching and glad the explanation was helpful for you. Let me know if you have any other questions I can check on.

[@Juksemakeren]

I'm watching the fuck out of this in 0.5x speed. The intro mashup is pretty far from what I would consider jingle material.

[@mikesturm3293]

Why not ‘Taudio?’

[@rovitogaming]

what pedal are you using?

[@ToddAudio]

It's a standard Proline switch pedal. The model is PSS1.

[@rovitogaming]

Todd Audio thanks

[@canyoupleaserunfast]

u speak really slow, had to put it on 1.25speed

[@ToddAudio]

+canyoupleaserunfast Yep. How did 1.25 speed work out? Ok I hope?

[@yngmazii]

Good video so more plz

[@ToddAudio]

+Amaziah Hull thanks! There are more coming!

[@yngmazii]

One question can you record with akai mini and mic

[@ToddAudio]

+Amaziah Hull For a mic you will need an audio interface to connect it to. For the Akai Mini, you have to have virtual instruments on the computer it is connect to. The Akai Midi just controls virtual instruments. It includes some you can download and install when purchased.

[@yngmazii]

Oh OK thanks bro

[@ToddAudio]

+Amaziah Hull no problem

[@stevenfromohio]

sir, there is a bird on your shoulder.

[@federicopellerano8483]

nice parrot

[@ToddAudio]

+fedemxjkghsz thanks!

[@charlyjeannis4778]

sorry looking not login

[@luki188]

0.75x you Really Sound wierd 0.5x you are really tired

[@ZETONEproductions]

Horrific Space 1,25 he sounds normal

[@luki188]

@@ZETONEproductions i know right :D

[@madduxhemrich810]

why are you so slooooow