Akai ProfessionalMIDImix - USB MIDI Controller Mixer with Assignable Faders & Master Fader, 24 Knobs and 16 Buttons, 1 to 1 Mapping With Ableton Live

Perfect size and features. Very easy and simple UI. Integrates with Ableton seamlessly.

The AKAI Professional MIDImix, I use with my DAW/ Ableton, to produce Electro-Phonic-Funk.Perfect for the price range and functionality, Got 5 stars because of prompt delivery as well.1. light weight2. easy plug and play.3. ease of useThe only down side is that the fader slide buttons, they are good, however not a great fit for finger tips when mixing. Superficial, and yet the sole reason I got the AKAI Professional MIDImix. Still for the price, functionality, and actual unit, is a bargain Scrooge McDuck wouldn't pass up.go for it!Cheers

I don’t normally write reviews, but I decided to write one for Akai MIDImix. I bought this product for a specific reason: to use it as an outboard controller for my virtual synths in my DAW (digital audio workstation: in this case Logic Pro X). I had been using my iPad to perform this function, but I wanted a hardware solution rather than a software one.This is my first Akai product and although they have been around for years, I never really thought of them as a pro-level manufacturer so my expectations were not too high. Initial thoughts/Unboxing:The MIDImix arrived in a nice high-end looking box and was packaged securely. It is not a large piece of hardware, but it was a bit larger than I was expecting. Sliders:The sliders are large enough to give you a fair fader travel amount and they have an OK feel to them.Knobs:The knobs are a bit small and fiddly, but they are certainly big enough to get a finger and thumb on without effecting other the other knobs around them. There are a bunch of them which is GREAT for virtual synths!Gel Buttons:The gel buttons have a standard feel to them. They are very easily accessible although there is a row of buttons that serve a double function requiring clicking the ‘solo’ button to access a virtual third row of gel buttons. I would have preferred a physical row resulting in three rows instead of two.Build Quality:The quality of the case feels solid and is a pretty red and black color combination. All the buttons, knobs and sliders feel firm and well attached. I would suspect this mixer would happily survive getting thrown into a backpack and carted around without any additional protection.Usability:This hardware is pretty easy to use although I would prefer the knobs to be a bit larger which I suspect the form factor would support. The knobs are also have quite a low profile and they are sculpted, therefore they could also do with being a bit higher and/or bulky. That being said, it is not a big enough issue to avoid purchasing based on the price point.Customization:This product was advertised as being customizable, although I did have my reservations. The paperwork in the box directed me to a URL that required a new account to be created which allowed me to access more software for sale from third parties! I was NOT impressed by that! However, on further investigation I did eventually find the software to completely customize all the buttons on the MIDImix. In my opinion this customization software makes this product well worth the money! I can create multiple configuration of the controllers and store them on my computer. I can call them up as needed depending on the virtual instruments I want to control.Software:The software you need to download from the Akai web site is called MIDImix Editor (I would NOT download it from anywhere other than the AKAI website). The software it pretty straightforward to use although not great, but it CERTAINLY does the job you need it to!Overall Bad:That really aren’t many. The buttons are a little bit small, but at this price point I really have nothing to complain about here.Overall Good:Overall I would give this product a pretty high rating. I certainly does what I need it to do and is easy to use and provides a decent user experience. It is a bit smaller than I would like but for the price this is a very good product. 4 out of 5 stars :-)

Works great with my DAW (Reason) build quality is really good, yes its plastic but not that cheap twisty junk....only wish the knobs had a little grip to them to help turn them better....but I can live with that. I have a few of these "under $100" midi controllers/surfaces......this one is the best for the money.....a lot better than the Korg nano series, those felt really cheap to me. cant go wrong for the price. Buttons do NOT light up for me (with reason) but I could care less about that.

Perfect for my application. I am using it with my keyboard rig in MainStage to mix and control several performance parameters. It maps right up and had no problem assigning functions to it out of MainStage. I was using the ipad remote and having problems doing changes on the touch screen. There is no replacement for real faders, buttons and knobs. I am thoroughly pleased with this midi mixer. --- I'd be willing to pay more if it had motorized faders that followed keyboard and laptop changes.

The Akai MidiMix works really well for controlling Arkaos MediaMaster Pro. The buttons and faders are recessed enough where I am not concerned with accidental damage while in storage (I bought a case for the unit separately on Amazon) and transit.

Was unable to publish earlier as Amazon flagged for talking about shipping, so rephrasing somewhat awkwardly. This doesn’t do Ableton Live—you will have to buy that on your own despite what was listed. Had trouble contacting anyone to resolve.

This product does not operate as advertised. The item shipped does not contain everything that is needed to operate as advertised. An internet connection is required to make this device operational. This fact is not disclosed in the item's description or on the packaging (box) the item is in. The MidiMix software is required to map midi control signals and change midi channels of this device but is not included with the product. The illuminated buttons will not work unless you feed back the midi data from the control software (or other midi hardware device) to this device after it sends the midi data signal. This limited mode of operation cannot be changed, even with the official MidiMix software.The knobs are too small and they are slick. The knob surfaces are cheap, slick plastic with very little knurling or other gripping texture to make them easy to use comfortably. The buttons feel like cheap membrane pads and not micro switches.