Note Mode for playing instruments with various scales and layouts.Step Mode for step-sequencing into MIDI Clips with powerful step editing features that allow you to modify aspects of steps such as their velocity and position.The AKAI FIRE is not just for FL Studio anymore! CROSSFIRE FEATURES Matrix Modes: I’m just getting started on my Ableton adventure, and I am thrilled that I already have a great controller to get started with. Finally, Novation/FocusRite’s 50% off Ableton offer convinced me to make the purchase, and soon after installing it, I found Crossfire online and figured I’d give it a shot, and I have to say that Crossfire for Ableton is even better than Fire for FL Studio! This is absolutely BRILLIANT! I love the different keyboards and the ability to sequence notes. However, I decided to invest in Ableton for a number of reasons–primarily because most of my friends and people I talked to (many of whom are pro musicians) use it, but I was really reluctant because my MIDI controllers were designed for FL Studio (like the Fire). I was never really happy with the simulated chromatic keyboard in Note mode, and used a midi keyboard controller for keys. I picked up the Fire as my first controller, and I used it primarily to quickly program simple drum patterns to use as I worked out other instruments. Overall, I’d say 10 out of 5 stars! Great job guys this product was defiantly worth it!Īs a relative newbie to DAWs, I started out with FL Studio, and I really like it. You can just turn off and on midi notes to your DAW with the push of a button and its right in front of you instead of looking at the screen and trying to pointing and make the note in the right spot without it snapping to another spot. I loved the Step section because making drum beats has always been my downfall with Ableton and the Step Sequencer is great new way to visualize the grid. The buttons on the Fire are actually pretty sensitive too. The Note section is great, you can play drums, other instruments and plugins like on a keyboard. The Drum section is cool and has a velocity sensitive grid section, although it is not velocity sensitive its imitates different velocities. I bought Crossfire like 20 minutes after my Fire arrived in the mail and it’s awesome! The Perform view is a lot like an APC 40 launcher without the faders and knobs. I watched a lots of the tutorials on Youtube and pretty much knew what I was getting. I already have FL studios but prefer Ableton, so I was a little nervous about the purchase. The controller is currently $99.99 without Fl Studios so it’s a great time to buy.