Unleash your performance potential

As any Ableton Live user knows, its Performance Mode is a cornucopia of opportunity, allowing modular playback and quick adjustments for a versatile live show. True to Akai's APC series, the Key25 Mk2 is precisely modeled to take advantage of the flexible opportunities offered by Ableton Live. The 25-note range returns, this time equipped with a Gen 2 dynamic keyboard. Like its predecessor, you get an ergonomically designed array of fully assignable 360-degree knobs, along with a 40-button grid for starting, managing and control clips and scenes. Many production professionals appreciate the thoughtful, quality-of-life upgrades made to the user experience, such as RGB-backlit pads. Each APC Key25 Mk2 also comes boxed with AIR Music Technology's powerful and versatile virtual instruments.

set the scene

With the APC Key25 Mk2, the 40-button, 5-inch x 8-inch control grid returns, designed to mimic their placement within your DAW grid. RGB-backlit buttons allow them to be color-coded to more accurately represent clips on screen, glowing vividly for unshakable execution in any presentation. The pads themselves have been enlarged to encourage a more fluid workflow. Scenes can be entered all at once via the column of buttons on the right, with dedicated sliders for click-free navigation. On the underside, directional pads let you move around the clip matrix with ease.

Hassle-free workflow

Akai's deep history of making beats means they know a few things about efficient production, and the little things can go a long way. The APC Key25 Mk2 declutters your interface for a smoother, more seamless workflow. All buttons are now polygonal, maintaining clean distance and shape proportions to one another, drastically reducing visual clutter. Likewise, the labels are now directly aligned with their respective buttons. Each of the eight assignable buttons features 360-degree rotation with an ergonomically satisfying feel, eliminating distractions such as watch marks.

Improvise at all levels

Now designed with Akai's Gen 2 Dynamic Keybed, the 25-note keyboard offers excellent response on its synth-heavy keys. Expression and range aren't limited to just 25 notes, however, with dedicated octave up/down and sustain knobs, rounding out your sound with plenty of dimension. To inspire his time with the ivories, Akai bundled the APC Key25 Mk2 with a virtual instrument pack from AIR Music Technology. Its award-winning sound design comes in the form of three plug-ins. The Hybrid 3 evokes iconic analogue synths with polyphonic reproduction. The Mini Grand offers evocative acoustic pianos, while the Velvet is comprised of vintage-sounding electric pianos.

Characteristics

• The 5-inch x 8-inch grid matrix includes 40 buttons for starting clips in your session;
• RGB backlit pads ensure vivid representation of on-screen information;
• The streamlined visual layout ensures a hassle-free experience;
• Buttons on the right let you launch and manage entire scenes;
• Scroll controls allow for clickless control of clips and scenes;
• 4-way navigation buttons allow for painless movement throughout your clip array;
• 8 assignable knobs feature 360° range of motion to accommodate use with any parameter;
• Gen 2 25-note dynamic keyboard provides responsive synth-weight keys for instrumental performance;
• Dedicated up/down and shift buttons dramatically increase the range of key-based playback;
• The included AIR Music Technology plug-ins add inspiring instruments on various synths and pianos.

Specifications

• Type: keyboard controller;
• Number of keys: 25;
• Velocity sensitive: yes;
• Pads: 40 RGB pads;
• Other controllers: 8 x 360 degree buttons;
• USB: 1 x Type B;
• Computer connectivity: USB;
• Programs: Ableton Live Lite Music Production;
• Power source: USB bus powered;
• Dimensions (W x D x H): 31.5 x 19.3 x 4.8cm;
• Weight: 1kg.