Support and discussion for all of Akai’s modern standalone MPCs including the MPC X / X SE, MPC Live 1, 2 & 3, MPC One / One+, MPC Key 37/61.
By mraak47 Sat Oct 21, 2023 2:09 pm
Hi! I am in search for my new keyboard workstation for home/studio use just to work on ideas for songs without the need to switch the computer on. I wonder which keyboard workstation has the best (most realistic) sounding amp and cab sims onboard. I am particularly asking about high gain sounds. I wonder how MPC Key 61 compares in this department to the other workstations like Kurzweil K2700, Roland Fantom, KORG Nautilus and Yamaha MODX Plus, Montage or Montage M. In standalone mode (without connecting it to computer) AKAI has Air Amp Sim Plugin onboard. I wonder, since it's a plugin, if it sounds more real than the ones on other hardware workstations mentioned above. I would slighty prefer Korg Nautilus because it is the only one that supports streaming from HD so the RAM size ain't an issue but am not sure about the sims onboard. And since all these keyboards can load user sounds/libraries, I don't care about the onboard electric guitar samples quality. Thanks!
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By 83dude Sat Oct 21, 2023 3:43 pm
There‘s no dedicated cabinet emulation, though Flavor cant get you a long way there. Flavor Pro can do a lot more, but isn‘t quite what you‘d expect.

Akai has four Amp sims, although IMO it‘s hard to get a good sound with that. I prefer the amp sim from Air, especially when combined with Tube Drive and/or Diode Clipper. I myself like them all.