Ableton controller for controlling the clip matrix there are next to the APC Mini few, come to mind immediately because of the Novation Launchpad Launchpad Mini and S in the same price range. A big advantage of the APC Mini but is the software equipment just for the beginner. The AIR Hybrid 3 is a really good software synthesizer, plus there is still a good sample pack of Toolroom and of course Ableton Live Lite 9. Especially the hybrid 3 and the sample pack for me were decisive in the decision for the APC Mini. Otherwise there is not much to say about the device: The housing is made entirely of plastic, but it makes a good impression processed. The switch can be easily operated, the faders are useful (but not comparable to the fibers of a good mixing desk). The lighting is bright enough without being too garish. The lighting is similar to the launch pad is not RGB, but only two-color (green and red) and the resulting mixed color yellow. The APC Mini is recognized in Ableton immediately and is ready for use immediately. Even with Bitwig studio he works, if you installed the appropriate scripts to. There you can also use as a surface for the Step Sequencer to APC Mini even. Overall, a good device, which does not reach the quality of the launchpad, but along with the software configuration and the faders offers good performance at a fair price. Overall, therefore, the full credit, especially for beginners and beginners! Together with a small controller keyboard (eg MPC Mini Mk. 2) has already a good basic equipment for first own experiments with the included software for Techno / House / Dance.
