Akai APC64 User Manual
  1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. Akai Manuals
  4. Music Mixer
  5. APC64
  6. User manual

Akai APC64 User Manual

Hide thumbs
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

User Guide
English
Manual Version 1.0.0

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the APC64 and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel

Related Manuals for Akai APC64

Summary of Contents for Akai APC64

  • Page 1 User Guide English Manual Version 1.0.0...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Top Panel ..........5 Global Menu ........46 Rear Panel ......... 11 Custom Mode ........50 5.7.1 Using the APC64 Project Editor Software ............. 50 Tutorial ..........12 5.7.1.1 Download and Installation ....... 50 5.7.1.2 Setup and Overview ......... 51 5.7.1.3 Editing ............

  • Page 3: Introduction

    For product registration and account access, visit profile.inmusicbrands.com. About This User Guide This manual should help you get familiar with using your APC64. For consistency, the terminology throughout is based on the Ableton Live nomenclature. We also used specific formatting to indicate particular topics of significance: Important/Note/Tip: Important or helpful information on a given topic.

  • Page 4: Setup

    1. Make sure you have downloaded and installed the latest version of Ableton Live (11 or newer) on your computer. Then, open Ableton Live. 2. Use the included USB cable to connect APC64's USB Port to an available USB 3.0 port on your computer (powered on).

  • Page 5: Features

    3.0 Features Click on the picture to jump directly to the selected control. Top Panel A. SESSION VIEW / OVERVIEW: Press this button to cycle between Session View, which displays the clip matrix on the Pad Grid, and Overview, which provides a snapshot of your entire project. While in either Session View or Overview, you can press and hold this button to momentarily access the other view.
  • Page 6 When you release, you will return to the Step Sequencer. 5.3 Operation > Step Sequencer for more information. E. PROJECT: Press this button to view, save, and load APC64 projects, which contain step sequence patterns, device parameters, and custom mode assignments. 5.4 Operation > Project Mode for more information.
  • Page 7 J. Pad Grid: This 8x8 grid of LED backlit touch-sensitive pads displays active clips or notes based on the mode selected. The columns represent tracks, and the rows represent scenes. Use the cursors to change the 8x8 view in focus when using Ableton Live, represented by a red outline. K.
  • Page 8 L. Touch Faders: Slide your finger up and down these touch-sensitive strips to control selected session parameters. Touching a spot on the fader will set the parameter to that level immediately. The current fader position is represented by a white dot in the LEDs next to each fader. When automation has been recorded to a touch fader, the white dot will turn red.
  • Page 9 O. CLEAR: Press and hold this button and then press a pad, scene launch button, step, touch fader, or project to clear it. P. DUPLICATE: Press and hold this button and then press a pad containing a clip to duplicate it into the next available clip slot.
  • Page 10 T. SHIFT: Press and hold this button to access secondary button functions, printed below the buttons. U. Cursors: Use these directional buttons as a cursor to navigate tracks and scene banks on the Pad Grid, as well as device parameters in DEVICE touch fader mode. V.

  • Page 11: Rear Panel

    B. USB Port: Connect the included USB cable here and connect the other end to your computer’s USB 3.0 port to use APC64 with Ableton Live or send MIDI data over USB. You can also connect this port to a standard USB power adapter (sold separately) to power the unit for standalone use.

  • Page 12: Tutorial

    Connect your APC64 hardware to your computer running Ableton Live using one of the included USB-C cables, and set the Power Switch to On. By default, APC64 will power on in Ableton Live Device Mode. If you are having issues connecting to Ableton Live, make sure this setting has not been changed in the Global Menu.
  • Page 13 2. Add this to an available Audio Track in the first clip slot. 3. Once the clip has been loaded, you will see the corresponding pad on APC64 light up. 4. Press the pad to launch the clip. You will hear the sample playing, the PLAY button will light up, and the pad will begin pulsing green to indicate playback is active.
  • Page 14 4x4 drum pad layout to play samples. 3. When a MIDI track is selected from APC64, the selected track’s track arm button in Ableton Live will turn light red to indicate it has been automatically record-armed. This allows you to immediately play the pads and hear the sample playback.
  • Page 15 MIDI track. 2. Press the NOTE MODE button, and then select the MIDI track using the TRACK SELECT button. APC64’s pad grid will change to a melodic note layout. The root notes will be lit according to the track color.
  • Page 16 Ableton Live as needed. Chord Mode. These steps give you the basic building blocks to launch clips and create clips in Ableton Live using your APC64. Try recording a few more clips with variations, and then experiment with launching different clips or scenes.
  • Page 17 As you play your project, you can also begin using APC64 for editing and mixing using other controls on the device. Try using the Touch Fader Controls for hands-on adjustments to various track parameters: 1. By default, the touch strips will be set to DEVICE control, with this button lit on APC64.

  • Page 18: Operation

    5.0 Operation This chapter describes APC64’s functions. Click a link below to jump directly to that section: 5.1 Session View – Create, launch, organize, and edit clips. 5.2 Note Mode and Chord Mode – Play configurable notes, chords, and drum pads.

  • Page 19: Session View

    To open Session View mode on the pads, press the SESSION VIEW button. The current focus of APC64’s 8x8 pad grid in Ableton Live will be shown by a red outline. The eight columns of APC64’s pad grid will correspond to the available tracks in Ableton Live, including the Return tracks and the Master track.

  • Page 20: Overview Mode

    In very large projects, you may have more than the eight tracks and eight scenes that are immediately visible on APC64’s pad grid while in Session View. Although you can move the current 8x8 focus in Session View using the cursors, Overview mode provides another way to quickly and easily navigate between large amounts of tracks and scenes and give a snapshot of the current clip statuses.

  • Page 21: Launching Clips

    5.1.2 Launching Clips When Session View is active, pressing the pads in the pad grid will launch a clip if one is loaded. If the clip slot is empty, it will stop playback on the selected track, or create a new clip if the track is record-armed. To launch a clip, press a pad.

  • Page 22: Recording Clips

    5.1.3 Recording Clips To create a new clip: 1. Press the RECORD ARM button, and then press the TRACK SELECT button for the track where you want to add a clip. 2. Tap an empty clip slot on the pads. A new clip will be created and begin recording immediately.

  • Page 23: Fixed Length

    To adjust the Fixed Length value, press and hold the FIXED LENGTH button. The APC64 display will show “Fixed Length” and the current value. Turn the encoder to adjust the value, and then release the FIXED LENGTH button to set it.

  • Page 24: Quantization

    To apply quantization as you record, press and hold SHIFT, and then press the QUANTIZE button. When pressed, the APC64 display will show “Record Quantize” and its current status, either On or Off. Set this to On to enable quantization as you record. This will automatically snap new notes to the closest quantization value subdivision as you record.

  • Page 25: Managing Clips

    5.1.3 Managing Clips Basic clip editing and management can be done directly from the APC64 hardware using the following controls. Use the CLEAR button to erase clips and scenes: To erase a clip, press and hold the CLEAR button, and then press the desired pad.

  • Page 26: Note Mode And Chord Mode

    To open Chord Mode, press the CHORD MODE button. Both Note Mode and Chord Mode may be used in conjunction with Ableton Live MIDI tracks, or when using APC64 as a standalone MIDI or CV device. 5.2.1 Configuration Both Note Mode and Chord Mode have Configuration options which can be accessed by pressing and holding SHIFT and then pressing either NOTE MODE or CHORD MODE.
  • Page 27 Use Rows 1–2 to set the root note of the scale. These pads are laid out like the keys of a piano, from C to C in the lower row. When one of these pads is pressed, the selected root note will be lit green. The remaining scale notes will be lit amber, and any non-scale notes will be lit red.
  • Page 28 As an alternative to using the pads to change the note mode, you can also use the encoder to change these values as shown on the display. Turn the encoder to browse each note mode category. Press the encoder to open it, and then turn the encoder to browse the available options.

  • Page 29: Playing Notes And Chords

    When using APC64 as a standalone controller, use use the track-specific Step Sequencer 5.3.1 Configuration menu to set the track type to Drum to enbable the Drum-style Note Mode layout.

  • Page 30: Step Sequencer

    Step Sequence tracks are internal to APC64 and do not correspond with Ableton Live tracks as shown in Session View. This means you can send any of the eight Step Sequence tracks to any available track in Ableton Live.
  • Page 31 Use Rows 1–4 to set the total length of the sequence in steps. When all tracks are set to the same length, the pad for the value of the last step in the sequence will be lit green. If there are tracks with differing lengths, no selection will be shown.

  • Page 32: Note Input Pads

    Use Rows 1–4 to set the total length of the track’s sequence in steps. The pad for the value of the last step in the sequence will be lit green. This will be set to the global Step Sequence length by default, but can be set to a different value per track.

  • Page 33: Step Pads

    The current play position will be indicated by a green pad. To play the step sequence, press PLAY. To stop the step sequence, press STOP. Step Sequences may also be managed and launched using APC64’s built-in Project save slots. See the following 5.4 Project Mode chapter for more information.

  • Page 34: Modifer Pads

    5.3.4 Modifer Pads The bottom-right quadrant of pads is used to set the velocity or other modifier value for each note. By default, this controls the Velocity value of each step. You can swap between viewing VELOCITY, PROBABILITY, or MUTATE by pressing the Rows 1–3 LAUNCH buttons on the right side of the pad grid when in Step Sequencer mode.

  • Page 35: Recording Sequences

    5.3.5 Recording Sequences When you are ready to add notes to your sequence, you can do this in two ways. You can use the Note Input Pads to manually add notes to steps, or you can record a performance from the pads into the sequence. Note: You can add up to sixteen notes per step in a Drum sequence, and up to eight notes per step in a Note sequence.
  • Page 36 In addition to inputting notes manually using the Step Pads, you can also record a performance from the Note Input Pads, or even Note and Chord Modes directly, into the Step Sequence. To record a performance into the Step Sequencer: 1.

  • Page 37: Editing Sequences

    5.3.6 Editing Sequences Use the CLEAR button to erase notes, steps, or tracks: To clear a note from a step, press the lit pad. To clear all steps containing a specific note, press and hold CLEAR and then press the desired Note Input pad. To clear all notes from a specific step, press and hold CLEAR and then press the desired Step Input pad.

  • Page 38: Send To Clip

    1. While connected to Ableton Live, select a MIDI track and a blank clip slot. 2. On APC64 (while in Step Sequencer mode), select the track containing the sequence you want to send to a clip.

  • Page 39: Project Mode

    Project Mode APC64 can save and load up to 24 projects in its internal memory. These projects contain device and performance information, including: • Step Sequence Mode parameters and patterns • Note and Chord Mode parameters Global parameters • •...
  • Page 40 Playback of project sequences can also be chained together to create longer sequence patterns. 1. Press and hold a pad containing the first Project sequence you want to use. 2. While still holding the pad, press another Project slot. The currently selected Project pad will remain amber, and all pads between it and the second Project pad pressed will turn yellow.

  • Page 41: Managing Projects

    1. Press and hold the CLEAR button, and then press the desired Project pad. 2. Press the encoder to confirm deletion of the project. To cancel, press any other button on APC64. To copy a project to another pad: 1. Press and hold the DUPLICATE button, and then press the desired Project pad.

  • Page 42: Touch Faders

    Touch Faders APC64’s Touch Faders act as continuous controllers which can be used to control the following parameters, selectable by pressing the desired Touch Fader Control button: DEVICE: Device controls. VOLUME: Track volume. PAN: Track stereo panning. SEND: Track Sends.
  • Page 43 Device In Device Mode, the touch faders adjust up to eight parameters in a loaded instrument or effect device on the current track. Press and hold the DEVICE button and then use the up and down cursors to navigate between banks of device parameters. If you have more than one device on a track, press and hold the DEVICE button and then use the left and right cursors to navigate between them.
  • Page 44 Press the PAN button to adjust track panning with the touch faders. This includes Audio and MIDI tracks, as well as Return tracks and the Master track. If you have more than eight tracks (including Return tracks and the Master track), use the cursors to change the track focus, and the touch faders will automatically map to the new selection.
  • Page 45 Channel Strip Press the CHANNEL STRIP button to control multiple parameters on a single channel. This includes Volume (fader 1), Pan (fader 2), and Send controls. The number of available touch faders will depend on the number of Return tracks in your session. Use the Track Select buttons to choose which track is in focus, or press the left and right cursors to change track focus.

  • Page 46: Global Menu

    Global Menu The Global Menu is used to customize the hardware device settings of APC64, including swapping between Ableton Live control and Standalone Mode. To open the Global Menu, press and hold SHIFT and then press CUSTOM. You can also press and hold the CUSTOM / GLOBAL button while in Custom Mode to momentarily view Global Mode.
  • Page 47 # Setting Values Notes 6. – 20. CV1–8 Channel 1–16 See the 5.8 CV Operation chapter for more information. (even) 21. – Drum1–16 Note: C-2 – G+8 Selects the MIDI note value for the 4x4 pad layout when controlling a drum instrument. These values are by default mapped to correspond with Ableton Live’s Drum Rack.
  • Page 48 You can also select menu options directly from the pads. When the Device Mode is set to Ableton Live (R3,C1 selected), the pads can be used as follows: Source Source Source Source Source Source Source Source Device Device Mode: Mode: Ableton Live Standalone Drum13...
  • Page 49 MIDI (from a device connected to the MIDI Input). When enabled, the selected pad will be lit green. Use the Sync Out pads (R4–5, C6) to select where APC64’s internal tempo is sent to: USB (to a computer connected to the USB Port) or MIDI (to devices connected to the MIDI Outputs). When enabled, the selected...

  • Page 50: Custom Mode

    LED colors, and even create customized pad layouts for any use. To open Custom Mode, press the CUSTOM button. Custom Mode assignments are edited using the APC64 Project Editor software, which is described in the following section. 5.7.1 Using the APC64 Project Editor Software 5.7.1.1 Download and Installation...

  • Page 51: Setup And Overview

    1. Optional: Connect APC64 to your computer using one of the included USB-C® cables. You can still use the editor without connecting an APC64, but you will not be able to send Projects to it or load (get) Projects from 2.

  • Page 52: Editing

    5.7.1.3 Editing Click a pad in the pad grid to edit the assignments for an individual pad. • Note: Sets the MIDI note that the pad will play. • Octave: Sets the octave of the MIDI note. • MIDI Channel: Sets the MIDI channel that the note is played on. •...
  • Page 53 In addition to setting assignments per pad, you can choose from three preset pad layouts to add to the pad grid. Drum Pads: Adds a classic 4x4 drum layout. • • Scale Keyboard: Adds a configurable scale to a single row of pads. •...
  • Page 54 Drum Group • Root Note: Sets the starting note of the pad group. • Base Octave: Sets the starting octave for the pad group. • MIDI Channel: Sets the MIDI Channel of the pad group (1–16). • Poly On/Off: Enables or disables the pad group from sending poly aftertouch messages. •...
  • Page 55 Scaled Keyboard Group • Root Note: Sets the starting note of the scale. • Root Octave: Sets the starting octave for the root note for the scaled keyboard group. • MIDI Channel: Sets the MIDI Channel of the scaled keyboard group. •...
  • Page 56 Chromatic Group • Root Note: Sets the starting note of the scale. • Base Octave: Sets the starting octave for the chromatic group. • MIDI Channel: Sets the MIDI Channel of the chromatic group. • Poly On/Off: Enables or disables the chromatic group from sending poly aftertouch messages. •...
  • Page 57 Click on a Fader to edit the assignments for the associated touch fader control. • Message Type: Sets whether the fader message type is Single (1 CC) or Double (2 CC). • CC 1 / CC 2: Sets the continuous controller value for the fader. CC 2 is only available when Message Type has been set to Double (2 CC).

  • Page 58: Managing Presets

    5.7.1.4 Managing Presets APC64’s Projects can be saved as preset files that contain all the MIDI assignments you make in the editor. Using Projects lets you maintain many different control configurations to use in different situations. For instance, you may use different presets for different performances, or use other presets for production with different software.
  • Page 59 1. Go to File > Save Project (Windows) or APC64 Project Editor > Save Project (macOS). 2. Select a desired location on your computer to store the file. 3. Click Save to save the file as an .APC64 file, or click Cancel to return to the Editor. Open Project...

  • Page 60: Global Settings

    5.7.1.5 Global Settings In addition to managing Projects using the Project Editor, you can also manage the APC64 Global Settings. Your APC64 must be connected to the computer in order to open this window and adjust the settings. To open the Global Settings, Go to File > Global Settings (Windows) or APC64 Project Editor > Global Settings (macOS).
  • Page 61 To retrieve the current Global Device Settings from APC64, click the Get button. The changes will be applied immediately. To send the Global Device Settings to APC64, click the Send button. The changes will be applied immediately, and the Global Settings window will close.

  • Page 62: Cv Operation

    CV Operation APC64 features eight CV/Gate ports which can be used to connect to and control other CV-compatible devices, such as synthesizers or drum machines. Use standard 1/8” (3.5 mm) TS cables to send a single CV/Gate signal per output.

  • Page 63: Cv Connection Examples

    Mix CV input on Mother-32, allowing you to use the fader to crossfade between the VCO waveform and external audio/white noise. 3. As you move your finger up and down the touch fader, the fader’s values will be converted by APC64 and sent to your external CV device to control the selected parameter.

  • Page 64: Connections With Ableton Live

    CC 16. You can add this to your clip in Session View (using Clip Envelopes) or to your recording in Arrangement View (using Automation Mode). 4. Launch the clip again, and this time the MIDI CC 16 automation will be converted by APC64 and sent to your external device to control the selected parameter.

  • Page 65: Appendix

    Model: ADAB Trademarks & Licenses Akai Professional is a trademark of inMusic Brands, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Ableton, the Ableton Logo, and the Live logo are trademarks of Ableton AG. Kensington and the K & Lock logo are registered trademarks of ACCO Brands.
  • Page 66 AKAIPRO.COM Manual Version 1.0.0...

Table of Contents

Save PDF