The APC40 mkII features a 5x8 RGB LED clip-launching matrix, assignable A/B crossfader, 8 rotary knobs, 8 channel faders, and a send button for quick access to send busses. The APC-40MKII comes with a whole host of software to get you going, such as Hybrid 3 AIR, SONiVOX Twist and 5GB of professional-quality audio samples.

Ableton Live Lite enables musicians and producers to spontaneously compose, record, remix, improvise, and edit musical ideas in a fluid audio/MIDI environment. RGB lighting provides visual feedback and displays three clip statuses—loaded, playing, and recording—so you can intelligently perform without looking at your computer. Hybrid 3, by AIR Music Tech, is a virtual synthesizer for electronic musicians, DJs, sound designers, and music producers who love to get their hands dirty. For live performance and arrangement, in addition to the essential clip and scene launching, you now have a dedicated A/B button on each track for routing to the crossfader.The Mini loses the right–hand side, and all the knobs, leaving just the clip launch grid and mini faders.

The A / B crossfader has also been reworked and can be assigned and re-assigned without ever having to touch the mouse.Eight Device Control knobs make it easy to tweak device parameters and light up to provide visual feedback of each parameter. In addition to its sleek look, veteran APC40 users will immediately notice the enhancements that include an RGB clip-launching grid, reinforced fader design, revised knob lay out, and much more. The new shape and multi–colour capability of the pads really bring the clip grid to life (though an upgrade to eight rows would have been welcome). The APC40 Mk2 remains very much a ‘live’ controller, designed purely for playback of clips in Live’s session view.

The channel rotary encoders have moved from the right–hand side of the panel and taken their proper place in line with the tracks. There are a lot of products that overlap with the APC40, not least, of course, being Ableton’s own Push. APC40 mkII comes equipped with an array of assignable faders and knobs: nine reinforced faders and eight channel control knobs are arranged in-line with each channel for an intuitive layout and smarter workflow.RGB lighting provides visual feedback and displays three clip statuses-loaded, playing, and recording-so you can intelligently perform without looking at your computer.

Up until now they’ve been limited by tri–colour buttons, but the upcoming Launchpad Pro boasts multi–colour pads and velocity sensitivity, nipping at the heels of Push for less money than the APC40. The faders can be quickly assigned to different functions with dedicated buttons, and clever use of a shift key allows the Mini to pull off a lot more than you might imagine for such a tiny device.All versions of Ableton Live, from Intro to Suite, are able to be utilized in collaboration with any equipment that sends MIDI data. A dedicated tempo control knob joins the Tap Tempo and Nudge buttons, which should make mixing your Live set into a DJ set a little easier. Additionally, thie APC 40 is USB bus powered which is great for live performers or DJ's that regularly travel to various gigs. The APC40 MK2 comes with an A/B crossfader, 8 channel faders, 8 rotary knobs, and a send bus button for easy access. When APC40 mkII is plugged into your computer, its hardware controls correspond 1 to 1 with Ableton Live’s interface—no additional configuring is required.