Akai Professional has announced that the APC40 Ableton Performance Controller will launch worldwide on May 30th, 2009.

Akai Professional worked in partnership with software developer Ableton to produce the APC40: the only control surface specifically designed for performance with Ableton Live software. Adding the APC40 transforms the user's experience from one of constructing tracks with software on a computer to one of fluid, effortless, musical creation, according to Akai.

The APC40 is designed to be a powerful, intuitive controller for electronic music performance artists, DJs, hip-hop producers and traditional musicians using Ableton Live on stage and in the studio. Because Akai Professional and Ableton designed the APC40 for use with the included Ableton Live Akai Professional APC40 Edition software, users need not map its controls for instant performance. Experienced Ableton Live users will appreciate that the APC40 enables them to remap every one of its controls to suit their own style. The controller is fully compatible with standalone editions of Ableton Live 7 and 8 with the latest updates.

The APC40 communicates bi-directionally with Ableton Live, enabling the controller to display information from the software on its clip matrix of 40 triggers and on LED rings surrounding each knob. The clip matrix provides performers an instant view of the Session Overview: what cells contain loaded clips, which are currently playing, which are activated, what is record-armed and solo/cue status.

The APC40 has two sets of eight knobs, each of which can access four banks of controls. The Track Control knobs affect global parameters such as pans and sends, while the Device Controls affect the clip, instrument and effect parameters. The Device Control knobs are dynamically reassigned each time the user changes tracks or devices. This unique capability enables performers to control at least eight track parameters per track – a total of 72 – using the same eight knobs and the nine Track Selection buttons. Channel faders and a DJ crossfader enable smooth control of key values.

"With the APC40, our goal was to transform the experience of using Ableton Live from 'building in software' to 'performing with an instrument'," said Adam Cohen, Director of Business Development, Akai Professional. "We could not be more pleased with the results."

Pricing & Availability

The APC40 will be available from pro audio and musical instrument retailers May 30th, 2009. It has U.S. Retail Price of $599.00 and an anticipated street price of $399.00.