Producer Rack

Checked September 2026

Akai Professional

Akai Professional APC Mini MK2 review

MIDI controllers

A slim 64-pad and fader controller built for hands-on Ableton Live control. Best for budget ableton live clip launching and mixing. Price not published on the developer's site.

Akai Professional APC Mini MK2 by Akai Professional

Key features

  • 64 RGB-backlit clip-launch pads in an 8x8 matrix
  • 9 faders for volume, pan, and sends
  • Drum Mode for Ableton Drum Rack
  • Smart Scale View and Notes Mode
  • USB bus-powered

Pros

  • Class-compliant, no drivers needed on current Windows and macOS, including Apple M1 Macs.
  • Deep 1:1 Ableton Live mapping with dedicated Drum Rack and Notes Mode.

Cons

  • Requires Ableton Live 11.2.7 or later for full functionality.
  • No official MSRP listed on Akai's own product page.

Akai Professional APC Mini MK2 alternatives

  • Akai Professional

    Akai Professional MPK Mini IV

    $99once

    Compact 25-key USB-C MIDI controller with pitch/mod wheels, 8 pads, and 5-pin DIN MIDI output.

    VST3not supportedAUnot supportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported+ iOS

  • Arturia

    Arturia MiniLab 3

    $149once

    A 25-key universal MIDI controller with pads, faders, encoders, and a bundled software suite.

    VST3not supportedAUnot supportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  • Novation

    Novation Launchkey Mini 25 MK4

    $139.99once

    A 25 mini-key DAW controller with polyphonic-aftertouch pads, Scale/Chord modes, and an arpeggiator.

    VST3not supportedAUnot supportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported
All Akai Professional APC Mini MK2 alternatives

Sources: www.akaipro.com, support.akaipro.com