Written by Maya-Rose Torrão
Acclaimed music hardware company Akai has just made history by launching the Akai Fire, the first ever hardware interface designed specifically for the well-used and loved FL Studio. Akai has previously built controllers for Ableton, namely the APC40 and the original version of Push, but this marks the first time that FL Studio will get it’s own dedicated piece of hardware.
The Akai Fire interface features a whopping four rows of 16 velocity-sensitive pads, as a representation of FL Studio’s step sequencer, allowing you program rhythms across multiple tracks by hand with ease. It can also be switched to function as a keyboard for writing melodies and basslines or even a drum pad. The last mode is for launching MIDI and audio clips, facilitating live performance and restructuring tracks on the go.
The interface also has buttons for muting and soloing sounds as well as a browser for searching and loading samples and plug-ins and four rotary encoders for setting volume, pan, EQ and other parameters (the encoders can also be set to control parameters chosen by the user). The user is also able to link four units together, thus creating an eight-by-32 grid layout and will also receive FL Studio Fruity Fire Edition with their purchase of the Akai Fire, which includes specifically updated software tools designed for creating music with the new piece of hardware.
Find out more about the Akai Fire in the video below.
