Nick Trikakis No longer working for Akai

You've probably seen Nick's Force demo videos, he has been unlike any other Akai product specialist - he seemed to have genuine passion for the product and clearly very talented. Unfortunately he was only a contractor and Akai have let him go:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2258970 ... 979328429/

Nick Trakakis wrote:It’s with a heavy heart that I bring you some unfortunate news. The coronavirus has had a tremendous on all industries and music technology is not an exception. With that said I regretfully announce that I have been let go from the InMusic team and will no longer be leading the charge with FORCE. This does not come as a complete surprise as I understand how business’s work and contractors are more than often the first to be cut when things so south. So although it's a set back I remain optimistic this will lead to bigger and better opportunities. I would also like to address FORCE so y'all don’t go into a frenzy wondering what the **** the future of this instrument is. Well, I remain confident the next build is going to satisfy even the biggest cunts in here. When it will come I’ll no longer know so I will not be answering any further messages about that. Regardless of the build you have yourselves a world class platform to be creative… I’ve made force my **** over the past almost two years and the only ting holding y’all back from mastering it is time and effort. Practice everyday, break rules, practice more, try something new, practice more. You are all capable to doing amazing things if you put your minds to it so just GO! Now is the time to get those hours in. I can say with truth & confidence that I put my heart and soul into the success of FORCE… and I’m damn proud of it. For all of you who have supported my ideas and vision in this group I thank you dearly. It’s been a whirlwind of emotions dealing with everyone but end of day I feel like I put my best foot forward and it was worth the effort. If you care to continue following me on my path please find me on social media @nicktrikakis on IG and my youtube “Nick Trikakis” you can be sure to find new content. Your support would be deeply appreciated. With that said please take care of yourselves so hopefully we can go back to normal soon, by then if I haven’t found a new home perhaps I'll rejoin the dark side and be the Darth Vader of FORCE again. With love and hope.

That is a shame.

Mike

I think we should get #BringBackNick trending on all 3 social media platforms. This man deserves his position back when the Covid situation is over. Everyone I talk to about the Force, who heard about it previously, has mentioned at least one of Nick's videos.

Might be the death of the Force right there. You’ll get a few more updates then it just be delisted at some point.

This is a shame.
Makes me fearful of the future of Force.
They are clearly disinvesting on it.

This is how the industry works. Contract workers are brought in and let go. No doubt the Corona Virus pushed the release of new products back and releasing of employees forward. The truth is the COVID, may just be what Akai Pro needs to reset and truly focus on the legacy that made them great.

Nick seemed to be the only guy that really cared about the product. When I was chatting with him at NAMM I can tell he was speaking based on his passion for the Force while the others sounded like they were reading from a script.

J-Fly wrote:Nick seemed to be the only guy that really cared about the product. When I was chatting with him at NAMM I can tell he was speaking based on his passion for the Force while the others sounded like they were reading from a script.

The sale numbers must’ve been to low.

well if they don't rehire him... they should get bboytech on board, he already does some work with them anyways

It's hilarious that Nick asterisked out the f word but then drops a naked and unashamed c bomb a couple of sentences later.

Klipspringer wrote:It's hilarious that Nick asterisked out the f word but then drops a naked and unashamed c bomb a couple of sentences later.

Nah, that's just our forum word censor not censoring up the c word for some reason.

The only thing I ? is AKAI’s commitment to this device.
If want u software, get ABLETON or FRUITY LOOPS.
If you want a divine hardware experience, get
1] an octatrack
2] pioneer SP TORAIZ
3]the clear leader: THE AKAI FORCE.

I got the MPC LIVE this year only b/c I’m coming from a MPC 1K and roland MV & I need 4 midi ports. The FORCE I saw at guitar center last year, was clearly a glimpse into the future. I particularly like the FORCEs cross-fader. My ableton/PUSH setup is collecting dust now that I have the MPC LIVE. I’m not selling my PUSH but it can’t match the innate experience that is well integrated hardware & software.

IF AKAI commits & we commit, THE FORCE will be the beginning of something truly great. Everyone raves about the MPC 60 & 3000 now but they definitely hard shortcomings. I would never buy a sampler with less than 1/4 GB or 2-3 minutes of sampling capability, but you don’t hear DJ Premier or QUIK crying. Not to mention, the LEGACY MPC fetch fine prices on ebay. THE AKAI FORCE will be a highly sought after LEGACY device for its unique offering. I can only imagine what the FORCE series will offer 10 years from now. I only hope akai doesn’t bail on the MPC as the FORCE rises in ranks.


AKAI needs to polish this machine & deliver on their promise of a DAWless DJ/remix experience. ABLETON device control is for PUSH/APC. AKAI/INmusic would do well to learn from ELEKTRON. I don’t do EDM but I recognize a committed company when I see 1.

USERS needs to lock themselves in a room with the manual or BIBLE & just get busy. Thank you nick T for all your time & input; I sincerely hope to see more FORCE sets & your return to pay at AKAI. That inevitable set had me trippin’ hard. I don’t personally believe in buying MPC expansions packs, but that KNOCK DRUMS set was true its name: IT KNOCKED !!! I have been to the SALTON SEA 2-3x; it is a sad but sacred place to me. I just subscribed to your utube channel; get ya $$$$$.

I MARRIED THIS SH*%; y’ALL NI$$%s STILL ENGAGED
--- CHRISTOPHER WALLACE

The 60 and 3000 came out the gate as a high end pieces of gear. Plus they were made to use in tandem with S series samplers. They were built like tanks with upgradable parts and at that time they really were MIDI PRODUCTION CENTERS. . Unfortunately, Akai Force just never took off, even after they lowered the price. How will it hold up over time, we can only guess. Maybe it will develop, a cult following like the SP1200 or SP 404.

I had the roland MV until 2019; it was/is a BEAST.
I just couldn’t compete with the MPC 4000/5000 in terms of sales.
In turn, Roland did not commit and drop the MV 9000, MV 10K, ETC.

What made the MPC 60 so great was the music it turned out & the lineage of machines that followed.
I joined the lineage ~ 2006 with a MPC1000 laced with JJOS.
The userbase/aftermarket makes a machine great not so much the initial specs.
AKAI needs to polish this machine & possibly drop a “make 2” like the OCTAtrack.
It will hold up well as long as artists make worthwhile music with it.
With the MPC sample architecture & ableton-like arranging; there’s no reason that can’t be done with the FORCE.

I hope it “fails,” so I can scoop 1 up for cheap to go with my MPC LIVE.
Then I will only keep ableton around to collaborate & share projects via SPLICE, etc.

The MPC 60 was pricey. It was something like $5000 by itself and combined with the Akai S900 or 950 the prices was like $8000 US. Which is something like $17,000 in today money. So only studio or producers with a budget had it. Not to mention there wasn't really that many competitors.

In the next couple of weeks, you'll be able to get Akai Force for like 500 & 600 dollars.