The Akai Professional APC20

Want a big grid with a small footprint? Want a no-fuss, ultra-sturdy, affordable Session View controller? Want to extend your APC40 to 16 tracks and an 80 button grid? Want customizable? Look no further--Akai Professional and Ableton present the APC20.

The APC20 is Akai Professional's second dedicated controller for Ableton Live. It frees you from the keyboard and mouse, letting you compose and perform with a fully integrated hardware/software musical system. Like the APC40, it features a multicolor 8x5 button Session View Matrix, 9 high-quality faders and two-way communication with Ableton Live. The APC20 also features 3 modes of operation, built-in customization features and a number of smart new tricks.

The APC20 was co-developed by Ableton and Akai Professional.

Big grid, small footprint

The APC20 is a smaller version of its big brother, the APC40, with the same 40-button grid for direct access to the clips in your Session View. Small is perfect if you're already using multiple controllers, short of studio space or working on a budget.

High-quality, feel-good hardware

The name Akai Professional suggests quality, and the APC20 certainly delivers. From the multicolor, LED backlit buttons, to the traction on the faders and the road-worthy metal casing: the APC20 is tactile, rugged and responsive.

Note Mode

Note Mode lets you use the button grid for playing MIDI notes instead of launching Session View clips.

Power-up your APC40

If you already own an APC40, you can hook up an APC20 and automatically access 16 tracks and an enormous 80-button grid, thanks to the new 'Combination Mode.' You can also run up to 6 APC20s together.

Flexible faders

The APC20's faders can be instantly switched to control track levels, pans or multiple sends--no mapping required. Additional user banks let you assign the faders to tempo, effects wet/dry, global tempo or anything else you want.

Customizable

Apart from the user banks on the faders, you can customize the APC20 to your own, personal workflow using Live's simple MIDI mapping function. Control any function in Live with any part of the APC20.

The anatomy of the APC20

Want more detail? Read more about the different sections of the APC20.

Hardware plus software: Ableton Live Akai Professional APC Edition

Every Akai Professional APC20 comes with a custom-tailored software package, Ableton Live 8 Akai Professional APC Edition, with eight audio and eight MIDI tracks, multiplied by twenty Session View scenes. Combined with Live's powerful effects, this makes for a capable out-of-the-box solution for studio and stage.

For a comparison of the Ableton Live 8 Akai Professional APC Edition and the full version of Ableton Live, see this feature comparison chart.

Pricing and availability

The Akai Professional APC20 is available now at music stores worldwide.

Please note that the APC20 cannot be purchased in the Ableton web shop.