Today Akai released the first-ever hardware MIDI controller designed and created for use specifically with FL Studio, the Akai Fire. Like the Native Instruments Maschine Jam and Ableton Push, the Fire is a grid-based controller. It features four rows of 16 pads each—designed in collaboration with FL Studio developer Image-Line to resemble the DAW's signature step sequencer.
The Fire also features the same kind of browser functionality as the aforementioned controllers, utilizing a rotary encoder and an OLED screen to preview and load both sounds and devices. The Fire's pads are velocity-sensitive for more capacitive touch in any of its set playing modes, which include a mode for playing chords and melodies, a drum mode for beat-making, and a performance mode for triggering clips.
Handy recording and performance controls include knobs for controlling filter, resonance, volume, and EQ together with buttons for expanding the grid matrix, as well as controls for recording and soloing tracks. Unique to the Fire, though, is its multi-device mode, which allows users to connect up to four extra units to expand the grid matrix to eight rows of 32 pads.
This latest release follows other recent partnerships between Akai and DAW makers. Back in 2009 Akai partnered with Ableton to create the first Ableton Live-specific controller—the APC40—and helped with the first iteration of the Push as well.
Priced at $199 USD, the Akai Fire is available now, and you can click here to pick up your own on Reverb. You can also pick up the newest edition of FL Studio, FL Studio 20—available in the entry-level Fruity Edition or the more extensive Producer and Signature Bundle editions. All of these versions of FL Studio 20 will work with Windows and Mac operating systems.