You asked for another dedicated Ableton Live controller, and Ableton and Akai Professional responded with the Akai APC20.

The APC20 follows the APC40 and incorporates many of the same features, including the multicolor 40-button Session View Matrix grid, eight faders, two-way communication with Live, and built-in customization features.

The controller has a few new tricks as well, such as Combination mode, which lets you connect the APC20 to the APC40 for access to 16 tracks and an 80-button grid. Using that mode, it's also possible to run up to six APC20s together. Meanwhile, Note Mode lets you use the button grid for sending MIDI data instead of launching Session View clips.

Its faders can be instantly switched to control pan or multiple sends, with no mapping required. Additional user banks let you assign the faders to tempo, effects wet / dry, or global tempo. Using Ableton Live's MIDI mapping function, you can customize the controller to your own workflow, and have hands-on control over any Live function with the APC20. Every Akai APC20 comes with Ableton Live 8 Akai Professional APC Edition.

Akai lent its design details and durable construction to the unit, giving the APC20 multicolor, LED-backlit buttons, traction on the faders, and a rugged metal casing.

Ableton and Akai expect to release the Live controller in the second quarter of 2010.