By B-Wise
Thu Jun 25, 2026 8:17 pm
fooddude wrote:If I were to guess... IF they make a refresh of the Key61, it most likely won't have MPCe pads (since original has small pads of the One and Key37) nor will it have 16 q-links obviously (the Live3 doesn't even have that, and it'll steal sales away from XL).
Maaaybe it'll have the 16-step buttons of the Live3 (but, that'll require a completely new, different casing/PCBs and product... instead of a simple, easy colorway/processor/ram refresh like the new One/Key37 G2). I kinda doubt Akai will go this route, and will just take the easier, lazy route (esp. if the Key61 was a low seller).
The original Key61 seems more like a bigger version of the Key37, maybe in b/n the One and Live, but closer to the One cuz the small pads.
I'd guess they'll just change colorway, update the processor and double the ram to 8gb, maybe step-seq buttons.
I'd love to see a retro colorway too for the Key61 (like a vintage X7000 or AX73). At the same time, for the past couple years, I sometimes randomly check Key61 prices, listings & sold history on eBay... and, it always seems like there's a ton of them for sale on eBay... kinda makes me think that it was a very low seller (which isn't good news & might be a sign they might axe it entirely... irdk).
The G2 61 gotta at least have 8 knobs & function buttons like the Force, but 16 would make more sense as there space for it & I don't think it hurt the XL sells too much as not everyone wants the keys for different reasons.
They need go big or go home with the 61 as the mk1 seems very undeveloped, like how in the hell they only put 4 Qlinks on the big ass thing & no tilt screen. They could only give it 8GB of RAM to keep the XL as the big dawg.
i originally thought the qlink placement on the XL was a bad idea now i love and it makes sense..