Looking for APC Mini DMX software? With Simple DMX Controller (SDC), the Akai APC Mini MK2 becomes a hands-on control surface for your light show – physical faders and buttons without buying a dedicated DMX console. This guide shows you how to set it up.
Why the APC Mini MK2 for DMX?
The APC Mini MK2 gives you 64 RGB-backlit pads and 9 faders in a unit small enough to fit in a backpack, typically at a fraction of the price of a hardware DMX console. It connects over plain USB – no drivers, no MIDI interface needed.
SDC has built-in support for the APC Mini MK2 – you map its buttons and faders directly to buttons and faders in SDC, so you can trigger scenes and ride faders without touching the mouse. SDC can use multiple APC Mini MK devices.
What you need
• A Windows PC running SDC
• An Akai APC Mini MK2 connected by USB
• Your DMX output as usual – USB interface or Art-Net node (see our )
Assigning buttons and faders
Assigning is simple:
1. Connect the APC Mini before starting SDC.
2. In SDC, select the button you want to control.
3. Press the Assign button.
4. Press the corresponding button on the APC Mini.
That’s it – the pad now triggers that function. Faders work the same way: assign an APC fader to a scene fader in SDC and it controls the level directly.
Your mappings are remembered
SDC saves your assignments together with your setup, tied to the controller’s serial number. Unplug the APC Mini, take it to the venue, plug it back in – everything is mapped exactly as you left it.
Pad colors
The APC Mini MK2’s pads are RGB-backlit, and SDC uses them to color-code your assignments automatically – each function type gets its own color – so gobos, effects and scenes each light up in their own color on the controller. One glance at the pads tells you what’s mapped where. In a dark booth, that matters.
Tips for a good layout
• Put your most-used scene faders on the physical faders – that’s where the APC shines.
• Group related functions in pad rows.
• Keep one pad for blackout where you can always find it.
FAQ
Do I need drivers for the APC Mini MK2?
No. It’s a class-compliant USB MIDI device – Windows recognizes it automatically.
Does SDC work with other MIDI controllers?
No – SDC’s MIDI support is built for the Akai APC Mini MK2.
Can I still use the mouse and keyboard?
Yes – the APC Mini works alongside the normal interface, it doesn’t replace it.
Try it yourself
Simple DMX Controller is free to use in 2-hour sessions – plug in your APC Mini and see how it feels. Unlimited use is $9.99/year.