Review: Akai APC40 MK2 First Look

The new APC40 MK2 controller from Akai is coming out soon, and we've got the first hands-on with the unit in this review. Read more here: www.djtechtools...

[@hefl7847]

Much, much better than the other MK2 reviews I've seen so far, even the one put out by Akai themselves.

[@msubb5197]

Can't wait to get my hands on one, thx for the review Chris

[@reaktiv1408]

Had a push 2 and for launching clips I decided to sold it and use touchable instead on iPad. It has 2 fonctions you won't find on push nor apc : clip names is shown, scenes also AND a beat counting on every clip so that you always know where you are. Hope apc mk3 will use lcd screens on top of a column to show these, would be great as using iPad is not as fun as turning real knobs,

[@bkdv]

really wishing the Livid controllers weren't $600+ .. this will suffice as a nice alternative however

[@jasonvotaw5966]

Great idea for addition - Sound card!!

[@tylerthompson2698]

Is the tempo knob a click knob? so you'd get one click per BPM?

[@Dr3am3rch3]

Dude, I love the jersey :)

[@iamSoulsmusic]

Looks solid!

[@woodswalker88]

I use Ableton & a Launchpad with 8x8 pad grid. I have my eye on this because of the sliders but I really hate to lose 3 whole rows of pads! Not sure if I could make the transition. If I was designing this I would make the faders a little less tall & sneak those last 3 rows of pads in.

[@pajaritomundo]

Totally agree and I"m wondering if there's an mk3 in the making. If they make one that would be dope if it has an 8x8 grid. Some people need huge Live sessions ...

[@GorillaRuss]

I am just learning this...would you say a Launchpad would be a compliment to this as well as a keyboard midi?

[@michaelgasca3116]

I find RGB pads colored impressive feedback also sends and pans make things electronic I wouldn't like midi function button & also bars +faders in future mixing capabilities well be possible

[@simongarrettmusic]

Nice clear review - cheers

[@daftsound]

pretty amazing

[@djvartan]

Nice quick review.

[@CpT1977]

Great review - cheers

[@SONIDOTEQUILA2000]

Is this compatible with serato and if you midi the cues do they match same as serato colors ??????????

[@HardCoreHanSolo]

I really don't understand the purpose of this considering the price point vs Push. Push can do everything this thing can, plus it's way better for playing and creating parts. This is really only for session view and I think Push still does that way better, ie more LED colors, LCD screen, etc. I'd just pay the difference and get a Push.

[@woodswalker88]

Push is missing something super important: the SLIDERS!!! I could not play a set without my volume sliders.

[@smoore3009]

Hey, i'm Crisp Broccoli

[@djantiwar]

Ethan Moore hahaha XD

[@DavidMercuryRainbow]

What are these green/yellow USB Cables he is using? Btw where can I get them?

[@lairdriver]

+PhilippFloyd You can find those on Ebay for sure. Even some Audio shops have them. I bought a bunch of heavy duty USB cables. They are super cheap to find online.

[@shawngravatt2785]

Can you cue individual channels on this?

[@sp-sc2lh]

Does any software come with it ?

[@jakejakejakejakejakejake]

Any word on an update coming soon? :D X

[@StingrayOfficial]

Since these are midi only devices, they all have REAL midi i/o. Can you show the back of them?

[@psynapsurfa]

midi over USB. not 5 pin midi. it is an ableton controller, more than a midi controller to control a hardware synth. It does not out put 127 point cc midi to instruments.

[@StingrayOfficial]

I need DIN. Thanks though!

[@kinnikunky]

Stingray You need a sound card? Really you need some amazing stand alone midi clip looper mixer sequencer something thing... That would be really cool. Like the body of an APC with the heart of an MPC! And the brains of a Maschine... Cuz damb it seems so much smarter. :p

[@robertpasserelle3259]

psynapsurfa technoshaman LOL, you would think that someone wouldn't need this explained...

[@StingrayOfficial]

I don't like using USB for every midi device I have. I have a MOTU Midi Express XT that handles that with 1 USB connection. They really need to do what Arturia did with the Beatstep, 1/8 jack with a DIN adapter, MIDI is just 2 wires.

[@djRoyalTee]

When you do the actual review try not to sound so blazay when going over the features the product. You may know about it and it may be similar to the mk1 but some have never used it or would like to use it in another environment other than ableton. It wasn't a bad 1st look vid but I think you could have shown more...but I guess that's why it's a 1st look... Looking forwards for the real review.. ...and ftr, no touch sensitive = no sale for me..no way!! I'll stick to my CMC controllers.. :)

[@beeohbee]

birdscool Probably for if you're wanting to play a midi instrument using the launchpad with velocity info included as well

[@TheBassman0327]

does this unit work with Loop Community Prime

[@jtaylor9271]

Damn good jersey

[@Letryk]

Are the pads Dynamic Sensitive? Can you use them as drum pads or are they only "On-Off" function?

[@THISISSIDIUS]

I'm guessing you mean velocity sensitive. The buttons as shown aren't, unlike Push. Obviously no after touch as well. No 'player' mode as well, or anything like the launchpad's user modes. Did you watch the entire video? Its all in there

[@Letryk]

George Macken watched it now :-) oh i see. i had the apc 40 mk1 and i used it for 3 hours in 3 years. i need velocity sensitive pads like the lpd 8 or something like that. thanks for the reply.

[@THISISSIDIUS]

ahahaha no problem. the lpd 8 was the first controller i got, and its good for what it is, but the only thing i dont like is how the port for the cable is really unreliable and sensitive, just a small nudge and it goes off :/ good luck man :P

[@Letryk]

George Macken luck is overrated.... :-) I thought the pads are different than the old one cause of these Akai performance videos with this guy Carl Rag, who somehow seemed to me like he is drumming on the Apc 40 mk2

[@KeithOcean]

Letryk i set apc40 up to do drumming by loading one shots on the clips and then set the launch quantize to be what you want... no midi but works like a drum machine

[@mightybazooka]

this guy is a g

[@billbriggs7333]

How Manny box do this akal have.

[@titrationss]

Where can I get the neon green cable at?!?!

[@DopamineOverload]

Looks like DJ Tech Tools own audio-optimized USB cables. www.djtechtools.com

[@ACIDGREENTECHNO]

NICE STUFF :D

[@NateRuvin414]

I WISH THERE WAS NOTE MODE LIKE THE APC20!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@lairdriver]

In my opinion this device is way overpriced. At least for now. $499?! still? The APC40 does a great job, it's not the most portable piece of gear, but the Mk2 is not so significantly different that it justifies such a massive hike in price.

[@jahanlon]

+lairdriver Agreed, You can get the new Ableton Push for the same price

[@lairdriver]

+Niggly Puff I was able to find one used for $350. The new Ableton push is $999. However you can get the original Ableton push for $350 - $400 used. I normally buy most of my gear used because alot of guys that buy gear like this only use it a few times and then it just sits there. I did have a chance to use an APC40 mk2 at a friends place and I have to say that while it looked awesome, felt awesome, it was to small. There was something cool about the original APC40 that just made it a beast and the extra set of knobs does make a huge difference. The build feel on the MK2 is slightly cheaper, the idea that it's bus powered is cool and all, but that can also have a detrimental effect when you are playing live. I bought a M-Audio Axiom 49 pro, Maschine Mk2 and APC40 used and haven't had any issues. I am not sure if I was get the Apc40 mk2. I'd have to get used to using it. I only got to play with it for about 2 minutes. I didn't like the idea of the start/record/solo/send buttons being so close together. Obviously they designed it around saving space, but I am going to wait a little longer. I did have a chance to use the new Ableton Push Mk2. That's a fantastic piece of a gear. But it's so fucking expensive. I know not everybody likes buying used gear, but when people open the box of a new one, the store considers it used anyways.

[@jahanlon]

+lairdriver My bad, I was looking at the price in £ rather than $

[@Snenors4pres]

Just picked up from Guitar Center for $300

[@tinachrysicopoulou1125]

can u make ur own music on that?

[@robby102938]

I like the original more ..

[@KeithOcean]

DJ TechTools cool channel guys but in my opinion very annoying audio background, just plain annoying beat here

[@danoliver8804]

it's deep house lol

[@thecrudes1889]

I know this is old but does anyone know what computer he uses and how he connects it

[@vdub4216]

+L7 Deedo - It's an older Macbook Pro (can tell by the charger connector) with a skin or clamshell on it. Two USB connections. 1 for APC and the other for the Native Instruments external soundcard. (Correct me if I'm wrong)

[@palinoch]

dj nice shirt :D

[@dawpawnshop]

What a tablet is to a notebook, so is APC to MPC !!!

[@michaelconley3055]

Sorry just didn't look at the card

[@jackyong815]

Love it! ❤️⁠ ⁠ In this year the 100th anniversary of Chinese Communist Party #CCP, thrilled to know Akai is owned by Grande of China #MadeInChina2025 #BeltAndRoad #BeijingOlympics2022 #OccupyMars2024 🇨🇳⁠🇨🇳⁠🇨🇳

[@gilbertdecasas5337]

Here is an advance mapping for this controller using traktor pro 2.11 kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3XJia2Hlt6tp6s

[@drflubert]

Glad I sold my old APC40

[@NU__SKY]

its tooo complicated for live performance

[@dita399]

Niners!!!

[@xAlphaxmalex]

Why so much fucking sub

[@AlexStasXXXParanoid]

mk1 vs mk2, anyone?

[@AlexStasXXXParanoid]

Thanks for the reply! I posted that comment 2 years ago and got the mk2 a little later... tbh they're one and the same except for sturdiness. The mk2 is scriptable not sure about the mk1.