Finally Akai! 💪 Great product! The MPC line just keep growing and expanding! This is what Roland Fantom G never was or became, because Roland did not listen to their customers... 12 years ago. 🤷🏼
I don't know why Native Instruments doesn't try to do this, Yamaha/Roland/Korg skimp out on their sample ROMs in their keyboards, now Akai is going to be shaming them with sample libraries and far better sampling capabilities. I'm excited. 🍿🍿🍿🍿
Yep. I bought a Roland Fantom 8 and quickly returned it when I realized the pads were not even velocity sensitive! Also, the sequencer was very clunky and the keys on the upper register had a strange clang sound.
@@AlekVila MPC Keys is the only sampler keyboard with pads for finger drumming, pads on all rompler keyboards like the Fantoms are NOT for finger drumming, so don't try that, you'll damage the PCB underneath. Roland grooveboxes and SP404mk2 have pads for finger drumming as do the Korg Electribes. That's all.
Say what you like about the product, but Andy Mac is a beast! He looks hard as nails, is an amazing salesman and a wicked keys player/producer to boot.
Right? Have you seen him doing talkbox yet? It's hilarious the first time you see it, you just wouldn't expect it but he's the bomb at it! He's a great musician.
I dig how the interface on this just gets stuff done. Like sliding around splits via the touchscreen (a great use for a touchscreen IMO), dragging/dropping patches into quick-access slots, and those sorts of things.
The only thing missing for me would be to add some more advanced sample editing, ensoniq style transwave editing, start, end, loop and loop position modulation, and this could be my return to the keyboard workstation as I used to enjoy. I am sure Akai could pull it off, then this would be the W30 and the EPS16+ ASR10 off a future generation. The rest is already great, love the MPC Live, but this would keep me off the computer way further into the song progress. Mix and Master in Live or Logic is still great once the the track is laid out, but being able to create by hands and ears and on a decent keyboard workstation has never lost its appeal to me. GO AKAI !
It can do all of that, but it doesn't have poly aftertouch, so even 30 years later it still fails to really replace the EPS16+. Completely ridiculous that AKAI cheaped out on this feature, especially at this price. As is, I'll just wait until they come to their senses and release the new plugins at a reasonable price, and keep running my MPC Live 2 with a proper keyboard.
The ui keeps getting better 👍. Overall impression is really nice for someone wanting to really disconnect. Its great that our MPCs are getting most of the experience through the updates .
@@6581punk I understand but at least give it another chance and then see, we go through so many stages that sometimes certain gadgets don’t fit, and a while later they may become really productive
I just love the sense of wonder on Nick’s face as he watches Andy knock up a blistering beat in about 2 minutes. He’s so stunned he forgot to ask about PWM…
Once again Akai showing NI how to do it properly. The Komplete Kontrol always wanted to be like this 🤣 I love how in music really do push all their brands with new innovative gear
Was thinking the same thing. Tbh, you can use Maschine with the Komplete keybaord S MK2 and get quite a similar workflow except for the sampling possibilities and the layering/splitting of the keyboard. The issue with NI is their extremely slow development process. It takes literally years to get some basic new features.
That's pretty damn amazing to be fair. Like you Nick, I've always been stuck on just using pads in a all in one solution, so this is very cool. The 80's synth wizard prophecy is finally being realized to an acceptable level
Not to completely burst your bubble bc you definitely realize this like Nick, but every MPC is essentially meant to be used with a controller keyboard. It’s the same workflow as this, no difference in any way.
It's the logical progression of the MPC line. It won't cannibalize the portablilty of the MPCs, but expands the brain if them. Well done, Akai.....well done...
Stunning instrument and top notch demo! Makes you mull over selling all the clutter and stay with just this Akai and one good analog… Things that make you go hhhhmmmm…. 😁 Love and light from Coconut Homes Resort in Khao Lak, Thailand 🇹🇭 ❤️☀️🏖🌴🥥🐘
By far, the best most concise, precise, engaging demo I've ever seen on a keyboard. Great job. Only issue that has not been discussed is how much resources the patches use.. Polyphony is good and all but those patches gobble up Polyphony, cpu, and ram. I'd be curious to see if it can do a full 16 instrument track with high quality patches. That has always been the issue, you have to use more basic patches that us less voices and less effects when you have a lot of them . But regardless this keyboard looks fantastic overall.
This is what you need on stage as a Keyboard player. You can replace your laptop, audio interface and mixer and all the cables with this machine. So great. Good job, Akai. Put it on a stand and have a coffee while waiting for the others to set up their stuff.
There’s always been a song an sequence mode, Akai’s workflow has always allowed you to create a complete radio, ready song people, outside of the world of Akai are now starting to realize the power of it which is awesome to see
This new Akai MPC Key 61 is really amazing, great, there are no limitations in the creation, recording, editing, production,... you don't need anything else, neither computers, nor external instruments, just this wonderful keyboard!
Could you imagine the tracks that the artists of the 70s and 80s could have produced with something like this. I mean i know they had the best of the best of everything but this is seriously game changing. For 1 machine to be capable of so much. These will fly off shelves. Already are from the look of comment section.
@@oracularmusic hopefully, but on second thought, this is like an MPC One + MPK261 with less controls and several hundred dollars price hike, that kills my interest, honestly, I'm better served by an MPC One plus hooking up one of my existing keyboards to it
@@Jason75913 The only thing that resembles the mpk on this is the keys. The workflow, operating system, firmware, buttons everything is identical in function to what you'll find on the One/Live/X give or take a few buttons or qlinks. But there's no difference in functionality aside from the keys, extra ram, and the plugins that come with it but are for purchase on the other units.
@@Jason75913 Well yeah if you already have the sampler and a midi capable keyboard. It would seem redundant. This would be marketed to someone who wants a workstation and maybe already has a mpc but not a decent keyboard. Or someone who has no gear at all. They could start a studio with this one piece.
This is how I've been MPC'ing for 20 years with my 2K-XL - now loving the MPC-X with modular/Q25. I like the keyboard 'not' being between me and the pads when Im finger drumming tbh, though I think if this had been available 6 months ago before 'x' times for me, I'd have bought it. The main hope for me is this might drive keyboard player focussed content . Looks beautifully finished as well. EDIT: Just realised that this is the W30 for 2022. The first workstation I owned when I first got a post grad job. Love how the music tech world has moved on - imagine this in my dorm 😍
I totally agree and had that same thought. The pads are secondary in this product, and smaller. But it's focus is on the keys so the pads are an added bonus. No previous sampling keyboards had pads. I wish they put the 10" tilting screen on this.
This looks great and sounds very nice. To be fair, Korg has had a sampling/sequencing workstation for many many years. KRONOS II being the best example... It's great to see Akai in this workstation/sampling/sequencing category but to say it didn't exist before this is just not true. Yes, this pushes the envelope, but this flavor of envelope has been around for a long time.
@@PlugInGuruVideo Sweetwater always post fake MSRP as a way to make ignorant consumers think they are getting a deal. Actual MSRP on MPC Key 61 is the selling price of $1899. Which is $200-$300 less than a Nautilus. Nautilus or kronos 2 can run miles around this MPC key 61, in terms of sound engines and 16 track recorder. Because MPC 61 only has 8 bs audio tracks and its patches cant f&^^^ with any Korg, ever. But MPC key 61 has the best sequencer and sampler in a keyboard workstation.
I bought an MPC Live when the new series of mpc’s were introduced. I’m beyond satisfied with the consistent updates and additions to the mpc ecosystem. No product is perfect. I certainly have a few complaints, but ultimately I love my mpc live and I wouldn’t mind having this keyboard (will likely get a force in the future tho)
Can definitely recommend the Force. It's all the best parts of MPC, plus an Ableton-style clips+arranger workflow and a bunch more pads and performance controls to play. It's clear that Akai thought Force was the future, and I think they were right, but it didn't sell well due to being an experimental new product and launching before it was ready. So they've been slowly working Force features into the MPCs. But instead of waiting, I upgraded to a Force and have been very happy with it.
+1 on Force. I own an MPC Live. I really, really wish the Force had a battery but besides that it’s perfect. Such an amazing machine. I’m hoping Akai merges the best of both MPC and Force in a future OS release. I’d love to be able to work on ideas on my MPC while on the go and then bring them home to my Force to finish off.
Amazing. Can I use premade drum arrangements and one finger cords like a arranger has? Do not want lift style sounds like arrangers have but like the drum fills and chord methods.
Nice Video!!! @Andy: Could you please make a synthwave or classic pop/rock demo also? it's always RnB demos. Does the keys also offer chord fucntions like the NI maschine?
I just bought ( a few months ago) a Live II. Thing is I can bring that little beast everywhere. This is a different animal, a studio piece. Looks amazing though.
not for studio, it is a live performance keyboard - if perhaps an attempt at, other videos reveal that it may have some shortcomings for that a Live II + MIDI keyboard is more practical for a studio if the producer wants to start ""out of the box" or something before moving to a PC
I'm a bit lost in what they're saying, the Roland Fatom samples, unless they are talking about another Akai type keyboard. Also the Yamaha motif at least one model samples.
those sampling keyboards you are familiar with don't hold a candle to a modern MPC, not even half-way there, they are laughably pathetic jokes in comparison their strengths are their rompler engines, but MPC brings in straight up sample libraries like what PC users are familiar with, something Yamaha, Korg, and especially Roland are falling behind in quite badly versus VSTs furthermore, I've seen MPC users work with 3 insert FX _per track_ , many past keyboards could barely manage one or two inserts for the entire keyboard and MODX, FA, Integra-7, and Fantom-0 all offer one insert per track, so the MPC is on another level as far as FX processing
I just love the back half of the panel is angled upward. Something other companies should have realized years ago. It's the subtle things that can add to the creative state. Great demo by Andy.
it was imperative because the screen is such a vital part, also reflections would be a huge nuisance. I honestly don't think it's angled enough. Imagine if they'd put the MPC X's 10" tilt screen on it. They should have..
@@_EightySix I have know idea why they didn't put the MPC X screen with tilt in this. It's not a deal breaker but it would have been the perfect fit, especially at the price
The Korg M50 has an angled front panel as well, and raised more than the MPC Keys. I don't know why they didn't carry that into the Krome and Krome EX.
Great presentation by Andy and the keys 61 looks awesome. Seems Akai I have really pulled out the stops on this design and listened to their customers. Lacks an arranger though - song mode sucks. Which is why many people struggle with the workflow when coming from a pc daw. Needs a NanoStudio 2 type arranger for that touchscreen. I’ve got a live 2 and no way I’m parting with it but for a keyboard player who’s into the MPC workflow this is a solid buy. The new instruments are very good but too pricey for the MPC one, live and x to purchase as a bundle.
This will never happen but it'd be great if akai added a feature into the firmware that allowed you to set up a lan with another MPC so you could move from the Key to the Live and be on the same project.
They have however started charging akai users for plugins , all new MPCs have had all the new plugins for free until now , they want 499.00 for the new plugins
Great demo. Great product. Yes I wanted a DAW in a keyboard. Brilliant stuff. It's what I wanted manufacturers for years to create. I see you can add extra midi ports and additional audio outs. I just wish it had 24 audio tracks with EQ. Either way I wont be buying Roland anymore. Akai and oddly enough Behringer have me covered for many years in the future.
You can easily work around the eight stereo tracks limit by using drum programs (aka samples) and playing audio snippets on those. With 4GB of RAM there’s a lot of room for in-memory audio.
Opinions: The price is very reasonable compared with other 61-key workstations for what you get; outstanding really imo. Good that it has a Sata drive bay and class compliant audio. The memory upgrade is great, but still no disk streaming as with the Force. Ideally for working stand-alone, the screen should be larger and have an adjustable tilt, but I get why tilt is not a feature (mechanically fragile). I bought foam yoga wedges and use one for my Force. Having an arranger like the Force would be nice. Lots of CV/gates are good. I moved away from the workstation KB world for various reasons, but a I have to admit this is tempting.
I seen someone do a screen mod making a force screen tilting. So its possible to mod, i dunno how happy i would be tearing apart a brand new $1900 workstation though.
Not since the Ensoniq ASR-10 has there been a sampling synthesizer workstation worth consideration... and then in 2022, Akai finally says, "Hold my beer!"
Does this have the Ableton Live control and export that’s on MPC and Force? Also, getting the Force clips launcher and arranger would make this a winner.
Everything is already in my great sounding MPC-One 2.11.2 (except some plugins) and with good keyboard you have almost the same for a much cheaper price !! But it looks realy beautiful !! 😀.
Key has double the RAM and memory. More intuitive touch screen, the touch strip more dedicated buttons and included plugins. There is no comparison as I have the live and a ONE. my new key is a beast!!
@@laboratorioincognito9420 sold them. After touching the 61.. I had to do it. It just felt right. I still have my EPS 16+ and my ASR 10 but the 61 feels like an updated version of both with a touch screen and far better sounds. More memory and just a better experience. Live and one retro were great, but in my opinion.. the MPC 61 is a beast. I don't work for Akai, still have my MPC 60 from back in the day, but the 61... I can't stop creating on that thing. I'm not a fan boy, I just like good shit, and 61... Ya. That's good shit. Been waiting for something like this for 20 years. Peace and love.
Idk, I think Akai should focus on making the MPC OS not feel like an incomplete package, with missing basic features... Still waiting on LFO phase adjustment. From an audio programming standpoint, LFO phase shouldn't be a tricky task. There are hell of a lot more advanced features in there than that. I feel like they keep taking ages to update the MPC, and when they do - There are always the same weird quirks and missing features that just makes the track creation process unnecessarily tedious. The note graph is also a pain to work with imo
Seems kind of an odd claim that other keyboards didn't have the ability to create and produce a full track. Workstations have been around for a long time (Korg, Kurzweil, Roland etc) and there's currently a bunch on the market.
@@jonnycavell The comment was about making a complete track without integrating other gear? The sequencer is nice, but there are thousands of examples of complete tracks produced on other recent keyboards. The demo presenter is being hyperbolic in making his claim.
this could be popular among live worship keyboardists (who are often the MDs). Being able to send click (separately), midiclock, and the tracks (separately and in STEREO). There has not been a way to do this without a laptop until now. I hope they add something like the matrix view from the Force. Handy for vamps (holding/looping a section because of singer banter/call and response/preacher breakdowns and other unplanned dialog).
Looks and sounds great…was about to purchase..but 4 gigs isn’t enough for me and the fact that most of these plug in sounds cost 500 US dollars extra for that..with 4 gigs how many songs can you have in memory stand alone?..
I like it, it does seem like it would work very well with the way I use my keyboards, I’d like to see it more in a pop/rock context with the sampling, but the most important question: will it be a Cream White-grey version
@@Jason75913 Dude, in the history of electronic gear since the Beatles' use of the Moog, electronic instruments can be used in almost any context. I also wouldn't say this is a "music channel" it's more of a well respected electronic music *gear* channel. I used to gatekeep music all the time and I still have trouble giving it up, but I find a lot more peace in letting anyone in.
This looks cool but I don’t trust anything Akai says about the quality of the keybed. They haven’t had a nice feeling keyboard… ever. I’ll have to try it in person.
Looking at it, you can pretty much guarantee this is the same keybed as the MPK2 range, with keys that are even shorter than the ones they try to get away with on the Roland System 8. Aftertouch is quite a challenge too!
Every product Andy Mac does a demonstration of is going "to a whole new level". He's gone up so many levels he must be on Level 42 by now!
he is goos sale man ,,but this key is turd at best
Finally Akai! 💪 Great product! The MPC line just keep growing and expanding! This is what Roland Fantom G never was or became, because Roland did not listen to their customers... 12 years ago. 🤷🏼
What is this Roland that you speak of ?????
I don't know why Native Instruments doesn't try to do this, Yamaha/Roland/Korg skimp out on their sample ROMs in their keyboards, now Akai is going to be shaming them with sample libraries and far better sampling capabilities. I'm excited. 🍿🍿🍿🍿
Yep. I bought a Roland Fantom 8 and quickly returned it when I realized the pads were not even velocity sensitive! Also, the sequencer was very clunky and the keys on the upper register had a strange clang sound.
@@AlekVila MPC Keys is the only sampler keyboard with pads for finger drumming, pads on all rompler keyboards like the Fantoms are NOT for finger drumming, so don't try that, you'll damage the PCB underneath.
Roland grooveboxes and SP404mk2 have pads for finger drumming as do the Korg Electribes. That's all.
I recall when Akai was purchased and critics dogged the company. I think Numark took Akai to another level.
Say what you like about the product, but Andy Mac is a beast! He looks hard as nails, is an amazing salesman and a wicked keys player/producer to boot.
uuuuhhhh, someone is in love 🥰 🤪😁👍
He's a manly manly Man! 💪
Agree. Has to be one of the best in the industry. Always enjoy his product demos.
He looks hard huh?
Right? Have you seen him doing talkbox yet? It's hilarious the first time you see it, you just wouldn't expect it but he's the bomb at it! He's a great musician.
Wow, @Yamaha take note of what a beautiful, simple and intuitive interface looks like!!!
Absolutely solid AKAI. Huge release
I dig how the interface on this just gets stuff done. Like sliding around splits via the touchscreen (a great use for a touchscreen IMO), dragging/dropping patches into quick-access slots, and those sorts of things.
Makes sense given all the synths onboard. The MPC either needed a 2 octave keyboard on the unit like the Yamaha RM1x or a keyboard version.
u just gotta love watching Andy doing his MPC magic moves. great product!
The only thing missing for me would be to add some more advanced sample editing, ensoniq style transwave editing, start, end, loop and loop position modulation, and this could be my return to the keyboard workstation as I used to enjoy. I am sure Akai could pull it off, then this would be the W30 and the EPS16+ ASR10 off a future generation. The rest is already great, love the MPC Live, but this would keep me off the computer way further into the song progress. Mix and Master in Live or Logic is still great once the the track is laid out, but being able to create by hands and ears and on a decent keyboard workstation has never lost its appeal to me. GO AKAI !
Literally everything you listed can be done on the Mpc right now🤦🏾♂️
It can do all of that, but it doesn't have poly aftertouch, so even 30 years later it still fails to really replace the EPS16+. Completely ridiculous that AKAI cheaped out on this feature, especially at this price. As is, I'll just wait until they come to their senses and release the new plugins at a reasonable price, and keep running my MPC Live 2 with a proper keyboard.
@@AveMcree ...but with more bugs, tho😆😆😆😆🤷🏿♂️🤷🏿♂️🤷🏿♂️
The ui keeps getting better 👍. Overall impression is really nice for someone wanting to really disconnect. Its great that our MPCs are getting most of the experience through the updates .
I should probably dig mine out. I had thought of selling it but the synth selection has got a lot better of late.
@@6581punk I understand but at least give it another chance and then see, we go through so many stages that sometimes certain gadgets don’t fit, and a while later they may become really productive
I just love the sense of wonder on Nick’s face as he watches Andy knock up a blistering beat in about 2 minutes. He’s so stunned he forgot to ask about PWM…
Do you even PWM bro 😂
LOLOLOL We need PWM here.
guud lawd, he forgot about PWM!
Right!😂
This comment killed me with its accuracy 😂
i have been asking for this my whole life and nobodies done it till now!
Once again Akai showing NI how to do it properly.
The Komplete Kontrol always wanted to be like this 🤣
I love how in music really do push all their brands with new innovative gear
Was thinking the same thing. Tbh, you can use Maschine with the Komplete keybaord S MK2 and get quite a similar workflow except for the sampling possibilities and the layering/splitting of the keyboard. The issue with NI is their extremely slow development process. It takes literally years to get some basic new features.
Holy Moly, a MPC with keys ❤❤❤ lets me think about the Roland W-30 and Ensoniq ASR-10 🎹👍
That's pretty damn amazing to be fair. Like you Nick, I've always been stuck on just using pads in a all in one solution, so this is very cool.
The 80's synth wizard prophecy is finally being realized to an acceptable level
Not to completely burst your bubble bc you definitely realize this like Nick, but every MPC is essentially meant to be used with a controller keyboard. It’s the same workflow as this, no difference in any way.
@@Ancaja123 Fair point
It's the logical progression of the MPC line. It won't cannibalize the portablilty of the MPCs, but expands the brain if them. Well done, Akai.....well done...
Gotta love the work Andy Mac has put in over the years of the mpc. I have the MPCX and the new update is a beast!!!
AKAI...... Setting the standards with this Keyboard 🎹❤️💥
Stunning instrument and top notch demo! Makes you mull over selling all the clutter and stay with just this Akai and one good analog… Things that make you go hhhhmmmm…. 😁 Love and light from Coconut Homes Resort in Khao Lak, Thailand 🇹🇭 ❤️☀️🏖🌴🥥🐘
By far, the best most concise, precise, engaging demo I've ever seen on a keyboard. Great job.
Only issue that has not been discussed is how much resources the patches use.. Polyphony is good and all but those patches gobble up Polyphony, cpu, and ram. I'd be curious to see if it can do a full 16 instrument track with high quality patches. That has always been the issue, you have to use more basic patches that us less voices and less effects when you have a lot of them
.
But regardless this keyboard looks fantastic overall.
This is what you need on stage as a Keyboard player. You can replace your laptop, audio interface and mixer and all the cables with this machine. So great. Good job, Akai. Put it on a stand and have a coffee while waiting for the others to set up their stuff.
seriously, awesome development
Sure. But on stage.
no you don't lol
Just might do that but can't buy this machine in LA today. Shame.
On stage no, the load times, editing and switching need for live playing are not conducive for this keyboard. This is a 100% home production unit.
How do you write touch strip automation?
There’s always been a song an sequence mode, Akai’s workflow has always allowed you to create a complete radio, ready song people, outside of the world of Akai are now starting to realize the power of it which is awesome to see
и обязательно колёса из пустых бочек !
Return Of The ASR 10 Ultra Beast Upgrade 🕺Andy Mac Got Skills dope intro n outro duction 🙏🙏🙏 MPC KEYzzz⚡⚡⚡
AKAI really are making some great products.
I sold my Force last week. I enjoyed it but ultimately it was just too big for my desk 🥴
MPC Key 61 says "hold my beer"
For workstations, this is really something.
hell yeah, a sledgehammer blow to the knees to all the other workstations
This new Akai MPC Key 61 is really amazing, great, there are no limitations in the creation, recording, editing, production,... you don't need anything else, neither computers, nor external instruments, just this wonderful keyboard!
Amazing product... eliminates the lab top sickness!!!!
Could you imagine the tracks that the artists of the 70s and 80s could have produced with something like this. I mean i know they had the best of the best of everything but this is seriously game changing. For 1 machine to be capable of so much. These will fly off shelves. Already are from the look of comment section.
I prefer not to be an early adopter of new things, I can patiently wait a year or two for the wrinkles to get ironed out.
@@Jason75913 you won’t find too many wrinkles though.. it’s the same OS that has been running on mpc for years. Just with a keyboard attached.
@@oracularmusic hopefully, but on second thought, this is like an MPC One + MPK261 with less controls and several hundred dollars price hike, that kills my interest, honestly, I'm better served by an MPC One plus hooking up one of my existing keyboards to it
@@Jason75913 The only thing that resembles the mpk on this is the keys. The workflow, operating system, firmware, buttons everything is identical in function to what you'll find on the One/Live/X give or take a few buttons or qlinks. But there's no difference in functionality aside from the keys, extra ram, and the plugins that come with it but are for purchase on the other units.
@@Jason75913 Well yeah if you already have the sampler and a midi capable keyboard. It would seem redundant. This would be marketed to someone who wants a workstation and maybe already has a mpc but not a decent keyboard. Or someone who has no gear at all. They could start a studio with this one piece.
Glad you got a jump on the other demonstrators. Nice presentation as always thanks.
Andy Mac, this guy is the Akai King!
I just got my Akai MPC Key 61 today I can't wait to start using it.
Return of the ASR! Can imagine using this the way Kanye / Jake One use their ASR-10 😍
Was thinking this is ASR 10 on steroids
We were all stand alone and told the saw was the way now we are finding out how to move back off the daw. Fascinating.
MPC Live users: Can you fix this bug, plz?
Akai: Here's some new synth plugins!
well done demo. unit looks great, gonna sell loads of these for sure.
I have a Force hooked up to a mpk 25 and definitely don't need one of these, but the want is real. Takes me back to the good ole ASR days
Ken do you have any Synth Summit shows coming up?
@@Heathcliff_hensel I should. Been hectic with superbooth and namm. I’ll get one together asap though.
The successor to the Ensoniq ASR 10…..has arrived. I’ve been waiting for this for a very long time 🙌🏽
1899 isn't THAT pricey either! 🤯I love it already!♥️🙌🙌 thank you Akai
This is how I've been MPC'ing for 20 years with my 2K-XL - now loving the MPC-X with modular/Q25. I like the keyboard 'not' being between me and the pads when Im finger drumming tbh, though I think if this had been available 6 months ago before 'x' times for me, I'd have bought it. The main hope for me is this might drive keyboard player focussed content . Looks beautifully finished as well.
EDIT: Just realised that this is the W30 for 2022. The first workstation I owned when I first got a post grad job. Love how the music tech world has moved on - imagine this in my dorm 😍
I totally agree and had that same thought. The pads are secondary in this product, and smaller. But it's focus is on the keys so the pads are an added bonus. No previous sampling keyboards had pads. I wish they put the 10" tilting screen on this.
@@_EightySix good point! Hadnt noticed the lack of tilting screen and thats a killer feature on X IMO
I have a Force hooked up to a mpk 25 and definitely don't need one of these, but the want is real. Takes me back to the good ole ASR days
Here it is💪🏿 about time
Guess I’ll pray for Korg to release a MegaSampler
This looks great and sounds very nice. To be fair, Korg has had a sampling/sequencing workstation for many many years. KRONOS II being the best example... It's great to see Akai in this workstation/sampling/sequencing category but to say it didn't exist before this is just not true. Yes, this pushes the envelope, but this flavor of envelope has been around for a long time.
Kronos for fewer features, korg's broken glass piano sound and 2 to 3 times the $
@@philhuston9426 - Retail on the MPC Key 61at SW is $3,699.00 - that is not 1/2 or 1/3 the cost of other Workstations.
@@PlugInGuruVideo Sweetwater always post fake MSRP as a way to make ignorant consumers think they are getting a deal. Actual MSRP on MPC Key 61 is the selling price of $1899. Which is $200-$300 less than a Nautilus. Nautilus or kronos 2 can run miles around this MPC key 61, in terms of sound engines and 16 track recorder. Because MPC 61 only has 8 bs audio tracks and its patches cant f&^^^ with any Korg, ever. But MPC key 61 has the best sequencer and sampler in a keyboard workstation.
@@PlugInGuruVideo $1899.00 at Sweetwater. MSRP is $3699.00 as you said though.
@@philhuston9426 Lmao, Kronos may be older, yet it is far deeper than this toy...
I bought an MPC Live when the new series of mpc’s were introduced. I’m beyond satisfied with the consistent updates and additions to the mpc ecosystem. No product is perfect. I certainly have a few complaints, but ultimately I love my mpc live and I wouldn’t mind having this keyboard (will likely get a force in the future tho)
Worth it to get another device that offers different sounds.
Can definitely recommend the Force. It's all the best parts of MPC, plus an Ableton-style clips+arranger workflow and a bunch more pads and performance controls to play. It's clear that Akai thought Force was the future, and I think they were right, but it didn't sell well due to being an experimental new product and launching before it was ready. So they've been slowly working Force features into the MPCs. But instead of waiting, I upgraded to a Force and have been very happy with it.
+1 on Force. I own an MPC Live. I really, really wish the Force had a battery but besides that it’s perfect. Such an amazing machine.
I’m hoping Akai merges the best of both MPC and Force in a future OS release. I’d love to be able to work on ideas on my MPC while on the go and then bring them home to my Force to finish off.
Nice, but where's the Timbre Wolf 2? 🙂
What about big orchestra strings? I saw a demo from Korg, creating a cinematic style soundtrack and the Holywood Hyped Strings patch sounded awesome.
And the best thing is all these plugins are available for only 499.00 for all the other MPC users FFS akai you were the chosen one .
Amazing. Can I use premade drum arrangements and one finger cords like a arranger has? Do not want lift style sounds like arrangers have but like the drum fills and chord methods.
NI are you watching this?
190 poly - brilliant
Ah I’ve been looking everywhere for the polyphony spec. I imagine some instruments have less polyphony than others.
Nice Video!!! @Andy: Could you please make a synthwave or classic pop/rock demo also? it's always RnB demos. Does the keys also offer chord fucntions like the NI maschine?
Now I just need Akai to make a pedal/box with all the Ensoniq effects and I'm good
Akai is an awesome company, always pioneering.
I just bought ( a few months ago) a Live II. Thing is I can bring that little beast everywhere. This is a different animal, a studio piece. Looks amazing though.
not for studio, it is a live performance keyboard - if perhaps an attempt at, other videos reveal that it may have some shortcomings for that
a Live II + MIDI keyboard is more practical for a studio if the producer wants to start ""out of the box" or something before moving to a PC
Looks like the best graphical screen.
Don't know if Nick recorded this before or after his holiday, but he seems bouncy and happy and has slightly pinkish hue :D
He drink to much ;)
I'm a bit lost in what they're saying, the Roland Fatom samples, unless they are talking about another Akai type keyboard. Also the Yamaha motif at least one model samples.
those sampling keyboards you are familiar with don't hold a candle to a modern MPC, not even half-way there, they are laughably pathetic jokes in comparison
their strengths are their rompler engines, but MPC brings in straight up sample libraries like what PC users are familiar with, something Yamaha, Korg, and especially Roland are falling behind in quite badly versus VSTs
furthermore, I've seen MPC users work with 3 insert FX _per track_ , many past keyboards could barely manage one or two inserts for the entire keyboard and MODX, FA, Integra-7, and Fantom-0 all offer one insert per track, so the MPC is on another level as far as FX processing
Definitely want one! Hopefully they will be kind enough to put them on sale for Black Friday !!!
Hey @AndyMac when is that Araab Muzik Vol 2 coming out?
Soon :-).
This is a brilliant presentation
Alright, this thing is truly fascinating. Also, I imagine Pogo is going to love this.
I just love the back half of the panel is angled upward. Something other companies should have realized years ago. It's the subtle things that can add to the creative state. Great demo by Andy.
it was imperative because the screen is such a vital part, also reflections would be a huge nuisance. I honestly don't think it's angled enough. Imagine if they'd put the MPC X's 10" tilt screen on it. They should have..
@@_EightySix I have know idea why they didn't put the MPC X screen with tilt in this. It's not a deal breaker but it would have been the perfect fit, especially at the price
The Korg M50 has an angled front panel as well, and raised more than the MPC Keys. I don't know why they didn't carry that into the Krome and Krome EX.
Great presentation by Andy and the keys 61 looks awesome. Seems Akai I have really pulled out the stops on this design and listened to their customers.
Lacks an arranger though - song mode sucks. Which is why many people struggle with the workflow when coming from a pc daw. Needs a NanoStudio 2 type arranger for that touchscreen.
I’ve got a live 2 and no way I’m parting with it but for a keyboard player who’s into the MPC workflow this is a solid buy. The new instruments are very good but too pricey for the MPC one, live and x to purchase as a bundle.
Too bad they don't make a 49. That's the one thousands of us want.
@@planetmullins yeah a 49 key would have been a good desk size for most. Perhaps we will see some more hardware from Akai if it proves to be popular.
This will never happen but it'd be great if akai added a feature into the firmware that allowed you to set up a lan with another MPC so you could move from the Key to the Live and be on the same project.
Amazing,. Just hoping they do a 49 key version. Running low on space.
Percfect, AKAI got it right. IMO. This is the future..
As a NI Maschine user I am envious how it seems Akai are really listening to their users when it comes to updates.
They have however started charging akai users for plugins , all new MPCs have had all the new plugins for free until now , they want 499.00 for the new plugins
@@valley_robot I would rather pay for that if i got better updates
Great demo. Great product. Yes I wanted a DAW in a keyboard. Brilliant stuff. It's what I wanted manufacturers for years to create. I see you can add extra midi ports and additional audio outs. I just wish it had 24 audio tracks with EQ. Either way I wont be buying Roland anymore. Akai and oddly enough Behringer have me covered for many years in the future.
You can easily work around the eight stereo tracks limit by using drum programs (aka samples) and playing audio snippets on those. With 4GB of RAM there’s a lot of room for in-memory audio.
Opinions: The price is very reasonable compared with other 61-key workstations for what you get; outstanding really imo. Good that it has a Sata drive bay and class compliant audio. The memory upgrade is great, but still no disk streaming as with the Force. Ideally for working stand-alone, the screen should be larger and have an adjustable tilt, but I get why tilt is not a feature (mechanically fragile). I bought foam yoga wedges and use one for my Force. Having an arranger like the Force would be nice. Lots of CV/gates are good. I moved away from the workstation KB world for various reasons, but a I have to admit this is tempting.
I seen someone do a screen mod making a force screen tilting. So its possible to mod, i dunno how happy i would be tearing apart a brand new $1900 workstation though.
@@mkII. I wouldn’t do that unless prepared to void the warranty and accept any damage I do accidentally.
@@MathHammer buy it second-hand, et voila, warranty is irrelevant
Andy taught Scott Storch.
This workstation is a game changer.
Not since the Ensoniq ASR-10 has there been a sampling synthesizer workstation worth consideration... and then in 2022, Akai finally says, "Hold my beer!"
I wonder if there are plans for an MPC Keys 49 or similar.
Is this keyboard only for hip hop/rap music??. I would like to use this synth for my 80's stuff music
nice but would like 8 physical. faders too - maybe on a 76/88 model?
Does this have the Ableton Live control and export that’s on MPC and Force? Also, getting the Force clips launcher and arranger would make this a winner.
This is a great product in my opinion. It’s no longer a beat machine. It’s a dawless work station. Nice job Akai.
6:38 You could tell by the smile on his face he knew it was something special right off.😂
Everything is already in my great sounding MPC-One 2.11.2 (except some plugins) and with good keyboard you have almost the same for a much cheaper price !! But it looks realy beautiful !! 😀.
Key has double the RAM and memory. More intuitive touch screen, the touch strip more dedicated buttons and included plugins. There is no comparison as I have the live and a ONE. my new key is a beast!!
@@philippeleblanc856Ok. What are you going to do with the the mpc live and One?
@@laboratorioincognito9420 sold them. After touching the 61.. I had to do it. It just felt right. I still have my EPS 16+ and my ASR 10 but the 61 feels like an updated version of both with a touch screen and far better sounds. More memory and just a better experience. Live and one retro were great, but in my opinion.. the MPC 61 is a beast. I don't work for Akai, still have my MPC 60 from back in the day, but the 61... I can't stop creating on that thing. I'm not a fan boy, I just like good shit, and 61... Ya. That's good shit. Been waiting for something like this for 20 years.
Peace and love.
Idk, I think Akai should focus on making the MPC OS not feel like an incomplete package, with missing basic features...
Still waiting on LFO phase adjustment. From an audio programming standpoint, LFO phase shouldn't be a tricky task. There are hell of a lot more advanced features in there than that. I feel like they keep taking ages to update the MPC, and when they do - There are always the same weird quirks and missing features that just makes the track creation process unnecessarily tedious. The note graph is also a pain to work with imo
The sounds are spot-on. 800 drum kits! I hope it comes with plenty of premade drum loops 'cos I'm terrible at rhythm programming.
Any chance of a 73- or 76-key semi-weighted keyboard in the works? I really want this, but the 61-key unweighted is not ideal for piano sounds.
Seems kind of an odd claim that other keyboards didn't have the ability to create and produce a full track. Workstations have been around for a long time (Korg, Kurzweil, Roland etc) and there's currently a bunch on the market.
and the sequencer and samplers were trash at best... gtfo lol
Having had both Roland and Korg workstations there is no comparison. MPC Live is light years ahead for sequencing and integrating other instruments
@@jonnycavell The comment was about making a complete track without integrating other gear? The sequencer is nice, but there are thousands of examples of complete tracks produced on other recent keyboards. The demo presenter is being hyperbolic in making his claim.
What workstation has anywhere near the sequencing capability of the MPC?
@@jonnycavell I think Yamaha Motif is pretty close. It had a pattern sequencer before Ableton.
sounds very good.
this could be popular among live worship keyboardists (who are often the MDs). Being able to send click (separately), midiclock, and the tracks (separately and in STEREO). There has not been a way to do this without a laptop until now. I hope they add something like the matrix view from the Force. Handy for vamps (holding/looping a section because of singer banter/call and response/preacher breakdowns and other unplanned dialog).
Awesomeness On ALL LEVELS👍🏽👍🏽
I want it. way cool. i'll still keep my live2.
I love it so far!
Looks and sounds great…was about to purchase..but 4 gigs isn’t enough for me and the fact that most of these plug in sounds cost 500 US dollars extra for that..with 4 gigs how many songs can you have in memory stand alone?..
I like it, it does seem like it would work very well with the way I use my keyboards, I’d like to see it more in a pop/rock context with the sampling, but the most important question: will it be a Cream White-grey version
"pop/rock context"
This is a synth and electronic music channel, buddy 🤣🤣
@@Jason75913 Dude, in the history of electronic gear since the Beatles' use of the Moog, electronic instruments can be used in almost any context. I also wouldn't say this is a "music channel" it's more of a well respected electronic music *gear* channel. I used to gatekeep music all the time and I still have trouble giving it up, but I find a lot more peace in letting anyone in.
Great new approach
Looks great, I will probably buy it!!!!
Anyone else wish those q link controllers were horizontal across the bottom of the screen ? And there was a few more
Nah, they would get in the way. As a MPC user, this layout is most efficient with the touchscreen.
I do want one but I was hoping for more audio tracks
bounce
Andy getting well into it!
How much
14:05 "Alright, enough talk... Let's see how good you really are."
I got one word; WOW! That’s sick! 😌🎶🎹👍🏾
This looks cool but I don’t trust anything Akai says about the quality of the keybed. They haven’t had a nice feeling keyboard… ever. I’ll have to try it in person.
I too have never played an akai keybed and thought "nice", however my old s61 mk1 was glorious to play.
Looking at it, you can pretty much guarantee this is the same keybed as the MPK2 range, with keys that are even shorter than the ones they try to get away with on the Roland System 8. Aftertouch is quite a challenge too!
@@Culture_of_Ghosts I don’t get why they don’t just use normal size keys…
Nick was really looking like he was enjoying this. Some upcoming Friday jams using one, Nick?