Akai Professional APC40 Ableton Performance Controller Available Worldwide

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. The APC40 is the link between musician and software that perfectly balances analytical parameter control with creative expression.

Akai Professional has developed APC40.com, a dedicated Web site containing all of the information about the APC40 in one place, including text, images, video, an interactive product tour, the APC40 quick start guide, event listings, news, free downloads and more.

Akai Professional will support the APC40 launch with events on May 30 in East London, UK; Hollywood, Calif.; Miami, Fla.; Edinburgh, Scotland; Farmers Branch, Texas; Greenville, S.C.; Seattle, Wash.; New York, N.Y.; Fountain Valley, Calif.; Millbury, Mass.; and Sherman Oaks, Calif. All events are free and open to the public. Further details are available at APC40.com.

"I have been an Ableton Live user since version 1.0. I've never found a controller that did the things I wanted it to do with Live," said Glen Darcey, Product Manager, Akai Professional. "There were many things that would work, but I could never find an elegant solution. Akai Pro president, Jack O'Donnell, recognized Live's popularity and the potential of pairing it with our hardware designs. Before long, we approached Ableton and got moving on developing what would eventually be the APC40."

The APC40 is available now from pro audio and musical instrument retailers. It has U.S. retail price of $599, and a street price of $399. For more information, visit their web site at http://www.akaipro.com/.