Fruity Loops Studio (FL Studio) has solidified itself as a premier DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), favored by both novices and seasoned professionals like Martin Garrix and Deadmau5. Known for its versatility, affordability, and a user-friendly interface, FL Studio is packed with potential—yet mastering it without the right tools can feel daunting.

Enter the Akai Fire, a controller designed specifically for FL Studio, offering seamless integration and unlocking a more intuitive way to produce music. Here’s an in-depth look at why Akai Fire is the ultimate companion for your music production journey.

Why Akai Fire Stands Out for FL Studio Users

The Akai Fire is the first dedicated MIDI controller for FL Studio, providing plug-and-play simplicity and features tailored to the DAW’s workflow. This device transforms music production from a mouse-and-keyboard-heavy process to a hands-on creative experience.

From its compact yet powerful design to its robust functionality, the Fire is a game-changer for producers seeking a streamlined approach. It’s not just a controller; it’s an essential tool for anyone serious about producing with FL Studio.

AKAI Fire – The Best MIDI Controller for FL studio

Over the last years, FL studio DAW has raised in popularity. Many famous DJs such as Deadmau5, Martin Garrix, and David Guetta produce their music with this software and so should you.

Design and Build: Compact and Durable

The Akai Fire is compact, measuring 0.91 x 6.52 x 12.44 inches, comparable to a standard PC keyboard, making it easy to integrate into any workspace or carry in a DJ backpack. Its sleek black finish with RGB pads not only looks professional but also adds flair to your setup. The design is durable, with rugged materials ensuring it can withstand regular use.

• RGB Pads: 64 velocity-sensitive, backlit pads arranged in 4 banks, each customizable for color and functionality. These help you keep track of different functions during performances or recording sessions.
• Rotary Knobs: Four assignable knobs allow for real-time control over volume, EQ, filters, and other parameters. While functional, their exposed nature could pose a durability risk if the controller is mishandled.

Overall, AKAI’s Fire is one of the most wonderfully designed FL controllers out there. It boasts a rugged, durable construction that has got both the looks and the feel of quality about it.

Ableton Live controllers have overtaken the market of DAW performance controllers. AKAI has been in the market for a long, and know-how to create super user-friendly and great quality DJ and studio gear.

Features and Specifications: Packed with Potential

• Seamless FL Studio Integration:
  The Fire is fully compatible with FL Studio out of the box, requiring no additional setup. Simply plug it in via USB, and you’re ready to go.
• OLED Display:
  A bright OLED display provides real-time feedback on parameters, helping you stay in control without constantly referencing your computer screen.
• MIDI Control:
  With its 64 pads and additional buttons, Fire gives you control over note creation, sequencing, and live performance. Use it to trigger samples, build beats, and adjust settings—all from the controller.
• Performance Flexibility:
  • Step and note sequencing
  • Tap tempo for precise beat matching
  • Customizable drum patterns
  • Mixer controls for easy live sound adjustments
• Plug-and-Play USB Connectivity:
  Akai Fire eliminates the hassle of setup, connecting effortlessly to your DAW for a streamlined workflow.

Akai’s Fire comes supplied with a plethora of premium quality features, which is just one of the reasons why it’s the go-to controller of many professionals. In a nutshell, the core features of this FL Studio controller are the midi controller, the brightly lit OLED display, and the software that backs this beauty up.

It sports 64 velocity-sensitive RGB-backlit pads neatly organized in four banks. Each row shines with a different light, allowing you to memorize the functions it offers in a much easier way; of course, you’ll be able to customize the colors, but the default colors are ‘red’ for the first row, ‘teal’ for the second, ‘green’ for the third, and ‘yellow’ for the fourth.

Each row of MIDI pads features a neat little ‘mute’ button that you can use to cut off the sounds or effects you don’t need during a particular time. They really come in handy for live performances and studio work as well.

AKAI Professional Fire is the only dedicated MIDI controller for the FL studio music production software with seamless plug-and-play USB connectivity.

Furthermore, Fire FL Studio controller sports four assignable rotary knobs. Their initial settings govern the volume, pan, filter/EQ, and resonance. Obviously, these knobs are completely adjustable and customizable as well.

You’ll also be able to use the additional controls located right below the pad banks, including step/accent, note/snap, drum/tap, perform/overview, shift, and alt. Most of these features are meant to simplify Fire’s performance and allow you to access the main FL features via the controller itself.

Now, we should also mention a thing or two about the OLED display. It’s located right between the main rotary knob on the right and the last rotary knob (performance/EQ) on the left. Even though it’s slightly smaller than one might think, it’s brightly lit and it shows all the important parameters that are at play.

In Use: A Controller for All Levels

• Beginners:
  The Fire simplifies the learning curve of FL Studio by offering intuitive controls for essential functions. Its pre-configured settings let users dive right into producing without the need for deep technical knowledge.
• Intermediate and Advanced Producers:
  For those with experience, Fire reveals its depth through customizable features. Its 16 pads per bank and robust sequencing capabilities make it a powerful tool for complex arrangements and live performances.
• Live Performers and DJs:
  With its hands-on controls, Fire is perfect for live gigs. The LED-lit pads ensure visibility in low-light environments, while its portability makes it easy to transport.

Akai’s Fire performance is exceptionally versatile, and it’s suited for pretty much everything; from toying around with your first tracks down to professional DJ at some of the fanciest parties. Due to its extreme popularity, the abundance of features, and top-shelf well-roundedness, we should delve a bit further into details.

Let’s start with your expectations of this Fruity Loops controller. Whether you’re a musician who has just taken up recording their own tracks or a freshly graduated sound engineer, you are probably going to learn soon enough that FL Studio 20 is a vast system while Akai’s Fire is a very straightforward machine. So, how do these two worlds intertwine?

Basically, Akai’s Fire offers a couple of ‘shortcuts’, in a manner of speaking. You’ll be able to familiarize yourself with some of the most important mixings and recording features without having to go through thousands of drop-down menus and researching what each and every one of them means.

“It is time you take full control of FL Studio with the best dedicated MIDI controller.”

What’s more, most of Fire’s settings are pre-set, and even though they’re customizable, this controller is still quite capable and well-rounded as-is.

Furthermore, one of the best things about Akai’s Fire is that it’s quite affordable. This, obviously, means that it’s absolutely perfect for beginners, mainly because you won’t have to spend another month or two on recovering the budget you’ve expended on instruments, plugins, or other accessories.

If you are a beginner we highly recommend taking a course on how to use the Fire controller with the FL 20.

As an intermediate musician or sound engineer, you’ll find that Akai’s Fire has quite a few hidden gems that, once uncovered, will step up your game instinctively. It offers four banks, each packed with sixteen adjustable pads that you will be able to use simultaneously. This further means that you will have as much space as you need to program your loops and effects.

There are also features that skilled musicians and engineers normally search for in other software, such as tap tempo, metronome, and of course, the click track. You’ll have all of these, and then some, at the tips of your fingers.

Akai’s Fire is, by all means, a professional FL Studio controller; it was designed by professionals for professionals.

If your main source of income is DJ gigs or session work, you might want this beauty around to simplify your work.

Lastly, we should note that this DJ controller works perfectly well in a home environment, band rehearsals, DJing, live gigs, and in a studio. You can practice with it, make sonic masterpieces, experiment, and professionally mix tracks, bits, or pieces with it just the same.

All things considered, Akai’s Fire performs astonishingly well for a budget FL MIDI. In fact, most similarly priced models pale in comparison to it in terms of quality, versatility, and obviously price.

Limitations to Consider

• Small OLED Screen: While useful, the screen could be larger for better visibility, especially during live performances.
• Exposed Knobs: The rotary knobs’ exposed position makes them susceptible to damage if the controller is dropped or mishandled.
• No Wireless Connectivity: While functional, the Fire is tethered to USB connectivity, which may feel limiting in wireless setups.

Major Pros:

There are so many things that make Akai’s Fire one of the most sought-after FL Studio MIDI controllers on the market. What’s really difficult is to pinpoint the one that raised it on such a pedestal.

• This is a budget DJ controller that was specifically made for Fruity Loops DAW. Apart from the fact that there are a handful of controllers that are as specialized as the Fire within the budget section of the market, it’s pretty safe to say that not a single model is as versatile or as reliable.
• Fire is laden with state-of-the-art technologies and features that are often equipped on much more expensive models. Aside from the metronome, tap tempo, loop recording function, and various PC-based settings, the sheer fact that it has 64 pads is pretty impressive.
• Nearly all of the pads and knobs are completely customizable. You get to choose which end goes where, which button performs which function, and even which button lights in which color. It’s one of the most customizable controllers out there, regardless of the price range.

Minor Cons:

• Sadly, it also has a couple of downfalls that leave some room for improvement. Namely, the display is not nearly as big as it should be. If you’re performing in a poorly lit environment, you’ll hardly even be able to use it. Additionally, the rotary knobs are a little too exposed for comfort, but that’s pretty much it. Everything else about Fire is beyond great.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use two Fire controllers with FL 20? You can use two or as many controllers as you wish to produce or perform music live with FL. However, two or more are probably hard to handle and not that practical. 
• Can I use Fruity Loops without a controller? You can use FL studio without a controller. But the Fire is so affordable and easy to use that is a must-have for every Fruity Loops Producer.
  There are other good MIDI controllers for the FL such as the Launchpad or the Arturia Minilab, but the Fire is a USB plug-and-play controller.

Final Thoughts

he Akai Fire is more than just a controller—it’s a bridge between your ideas and professional production. From its thoughtful design and FL Studio integration to its versatility in the studio and on stage, it’s a standout option for anyone using this DAW.

While it has minor drawbacks, such as the size of the display and the exposed knobs, its benefits far outweigh these issues. For its price and feature set, Akai Fire is an investment that elevates your music-making process.