Official: Akai Force Topic

Akai Force Forum: Everything relating to the Akai Force, the iconic 64 pad, clip-based standalone sampler/groovebox from Akai.
 Reply Share on Facebook
User avatar

Re: Official: Akai Force Topic

By MPC-Tutor Thu Jan 31, 2019 1:08 pm
I never quite understand the rush to pre-order stuff like this, and I'm not specifically talking about Akai stuff here, it's any gear from most manufacturers - they are inevitably released with loads of bugs, half finished features and often promised features that are not even implemented yet.

The Force already has some 'coming soon' features, but we all know how long it took for them to implement some of those in the MPC Touch (2 years for Q-LINK edit, despite always having a 'coming soon' page in the OS - in fact Q-Link edit didn't come until the Live/X were released).

Surely better to at least hang back and check out some independent reviews and wait for the initial bug fixes etc. IMO there isn't enough info on this yet, too many unanswered questions. I'm sure it will be great for the target audience, not knocking the concept at all, just not understanding the need to throw your wallets at untested new shiny things.

Re: Official: Akai Force Topic

By eclipxe Thu Jan 31, 2019 3:45 pm
MPC-Tutor wrote:I never quite understand the rush to pre-order stuff like this, and I'm not specifically talking about Akai stuff here, it's any gear from most manufacturers - they are inevitably released with loads of bugs, half finished features and often promised features that are not even implemented yet.

The Force already has some 'coming soon' features, but we all know how long it took for them to implement some of those in the MPC Touch (2 years for Q-LINK edit, despite always having a 'coming soon' page in the OS - in fact Q-Link edit didn't come until the Live/X were released).

Surely better to at least hang back and check out some independent reviews and wait for the initial bug fixes etc. IMO there isn't enough info on this yet, too many unanswered questions. I'm sure it will be great for the target audience, not knocking the concept at all, just not understanding the need to throw your wallets at untested new shiny things.


Sometimes you just want the hot new thing. Who cares about bugs or missing features? What I’ve seen in the demo videos is enough to make me preorder. If there major bugs, so what? It’s not going to be completely unusable and the bugs will get fixed. I LOVE beta testing stuff. You get to live in the future. My tolerance for missing features and bugs is very very high and my desire to live in the future and have access to the latest ideas is strong.
User avatar

Re: Official: Akai Force Topic

By MPC-Tutor Thu Jan 31, 2019 4:05 pm
eclipxe wrote: I LOVE beta testing stuff. You get to live in the future. My tolerance for missing features and bugs is very very high and my desire to live in the future and have access to the latest ideas is strong.


Yeah I struggle to relate to that, I hate dealing with excessively buggy stuff or gear with half finished features. When I buy something I just want to get on with using it for the purpose I bought it for, not having to keep recovering from crashes or pulling my hair out because x, y or z advertised feature isn't working properly yet. I don't expect stuff to be perfect, but there are limits, especially when I paid good money for it.

But if you want to beta test gear, why not contact the manufacturers and apply to be a beta tester and you'll usually get the hardware for free or at a heavily reduced price. You'll also get access months sooner than everyone else, so it seems a win-win all round.
User avatar

Re: Official: Akai Force Topic

By Lampdog Thu Jan 31, 2019 4:14 pm
eclipxe wrote:Sometimes you just want the hot new thing. Who cares about bugs or missing features? What I’ve seen in the demo videos is enough to make me preorder. If there major bugs, so what? It’s not going to be completely unusable and the bugs will get fixed. I LOVE beta testing stuff. You get to live in the future. My tolerance for missing features and bugs is very very high and my desire to live in the future and have access to the latest ideas is strong.

THIS, makes you a prime target for ALL advertising, con jobs, okey dokes and whoopty whoop bs that comes out.

Re: Official: Akai Force Topic

By Unreallystic Thu Jan 31, 2019 4:34 pm
both sides of the coin have validity...
as Tutor mentioned - its great to get it "working" and to essentially "know" what you are getting

but then there is also supply to keep in mind. Some times the wait can become incredibly long trying to get your hands on some gear, because you didn't pre-order it (Kordbot), so its less about being first, and more about just getting it. However the Kordbot is a perfect example of why you SHOULDN'T pre-order heh.

Some other things to take into consideration...

1. If you are interested in something like this, it *most likely* fills a current void. For me personally, it touches on a market I've been thinking of trying to break into (Live Looping, Live performance, DJing). I was waiting for NAMM per advice from either here or FB before I bought the APC 40 mkII, its not perfect for what I want, but it was the best that I could find. This beats that in function (value add is another discussion though), so I am now in a holding pattern - I can buy the 40mk2 *now* or wait until I get the Force, learn it, then I can start using it for money-making.

2. Support isn't always what you expect - the Toraiz came up in recent discussions, and Pioneer has done a subpar job with supporting it, which is why you can find it used at such a low price relative to 'new'. So pre-ordering something can doom you to an inferior product at a higher price, that is a struggle to flip, and that doesn't live up to promise.

3. However, essentially beta-testing something like this - you can start the squeaky wheel on features. It won't be a priority as companies usually have a roadmap for features, but they will get to those things before other things.

4. For *THIS* product, I feel as though I've already beta-tested it - between owning the Push 1 that Akai designed (and the Push 2) as well as the MPC (which as mentioned is a similar base), I have more confidence "out the box" of functionality, and minimal bugs. Couple that with how they have supported the MPC until now, and are pushing this, I don't have high levels of fear of *this* not getting supported (on record worrying about the MPCs though)...so this is one of those few cases were it feels "safe" to pre-order.

IMO these things cost too much money to not be SURE, but if you are sure, then go for it. Personally, I'm sure of the function, not sure about the cost. You all know that equipment like this, the base price is where it STARTS, as you end up adding bags, stands, wires, etc. For me to bring this effectively into MY setup, I will need to purchase ANOTHER mixer (already using (2) MX-1s), So this $1500 note is looking more and more north of $2k, I need a new bag for transportation as my MPC Live bag doesn't have the dimensions, I just setup my studio *again* and I'll have to juggle the setup for adding in the Force along with my DJ-505...its just a commitment that I'm unsure of financially.
- Unreall
User avatar

Re: Official: Akai Force Topic

By Bezo Thu Jan 31, 2019 5:34 pm
MPC-Tutor wrote:...But if you want to beta test gear, why not contact the manufacturers and apply to be a beta tester and you'll usually get the hardware for free or at a heavily reduced price. You'll also get access months sooner than everyone else, so it seems a win-win all round.
The ONLY way I'd be a beta tester. A free "MPC Live 2" would make me a more than willing participant. No way as a paying customer.

Re: Official: Akai Force Topic

By kaydigi Thu Jan 31, 2019 6:21 pm
Rokgod wrote:Ok, late to the forums on this topic, been browsing this thread and doing some research. I have a few questions and would appreciate any input.

I mainly do basic Hip Hop beats, with chopping samples, breaks, and sometimes sequencing external synths.

I own the Touch which is basically a tethered Live. I also have the 2500. Both work fine for what I need to accomplish.

I don't use Ableton(I've tried it, it's cool but workflow isn't my style, and I dont really use clips/clip launching but I'm somewhat open to incorporating it into my setup.

Now I have a few questions...

When is estimated release date as of now?

It has started shipping yesterday from a few US retailers.


Willl this lack any slicing/chopping/sampling features that I can get with the Live/2500/traditional MPC?

You should be good, xfade loop is more trial and error compared to the jjos.

Will it add any features(BESIDES clip launching/Air effects), or on the other hand remove any features a traditional MPC has for making sampled beats?

No song mode, arranger

How is the sequencer going to work compared to traditional MPCs?

In drum mode, it looks similar and even quicker to paste notes into the step sequencer.


What would I be missing in this unit that I would have in a traditional MPC?

Chopping a live sample by pad (you have to use the screen to do it).

Is there more info out there on the chopping/sample editing?

It’s the same as the touch minus a few caveats.

How can I go about loading samples into this? Can I plug in a USB stick or transfer from my Mac hard drive?

Load from usb, sd card, or the inputs.


If I already have the mpc touch, which works fine for what I need to do, what can this thing add to my feature set for making music? Is it just clip launching/built in effects? Or is there better sequencing, chopping, sample editing?

Anyone that can fill me in on why I would want to buy an MPC Force? Am I really getting a more advanced MPC experience on this thing or am I just getting a watered down Live/X that includes clip launching, a larger pad matrix, and built in Air effects, with a crossfader?

Is the MPC Force for me? I really do basic boom bap style Hip Hop beats and not really into performing live sets and such with clips, I already have a ton of plug in effects on my computer, dont really need a crossfader I dont think.

Can I sequence external synth with the Force?

Am I getting watered down sampling/slicing features in a trade off for more live performance type features?

Is it promised that a song mode will be added or is this just speculation?

What are the community's thought on these subjects?

I wouldn’t get the force. I’m a boom bap head but I love arranging via clip launching in ableton. I’m about to cancel my preorder and will wait until song mode comes in.

Chopping is mostly the same. The plus on the force is qlinks are laid out easier during sample edit mode.

Also as of right now the new synth in the force looks really good.

Clip launching is not for you don’t get the force.

Re: Official: Akai Force Topic

By eclipxe Thu Jan 31, 2019 7:05 pm
Lampdog wrote:
eclipxe wrote:Sometimes you just want the hot new thing. Who cares about bugs or missing features? What I’ve seen in the demo videos is enough to make me preorder. If there major bugs, so what? It’s not going to be completely unusable and the bugs will get fixed. I LOVE beta testing stuff. You get to live in the future. My tolerance for missing features and bugs is very very high and my desire to live in the future and have access to the latest ideas is strong.

THIS, makes you a prime target for ALL advertising, con jobs, okey dokes and whoopty whoop bs that comes out.


Agree! Still have to be careful, but when being smart about it, it's a great way to live.
User avatar

Re: Official: Akai Force Topic

By MPC-Tutor Thu Jan 31, 2019 7:48 pm
Bezo wrote:
MPC-Tutor wrote:...But if you want to beta test gear, why not contact the manufacturers and apply to be a beta tester and you'll usually get the hardware for free or at a heavily reduced price. You'll also get access months sooner than everyone else, so it seems a win-win all round.
The ONLY way I'd be a beta tester. A free "MPC Live 2" would make me a more than willing participant. No way as a paying customer.


I would clarify my original post to make it clear that IMO you should never beta test gear just because you want to get it for free; beta testing is long and tiring work, 10, maybe 20+ hours a week when I was doing it (I was expected to do at least 10 hours/week), for many months (eventually 18 months). There's nothing free about giving up your time as an unpaid volunteer, so IMO only beta test if you get a kick out of the process (whatever that kick may be, e.g. enjoying the process of bug testing, helping shape the future of a product, having early access to upcoming gear etc).
User avatar

Re: Official: Akai Force Topic

By Bezo Thu Jan 31, 2019 8:49 pm
MPC-Tutor wrote:I would clarify my original post to make it clear that IMO you should never beta test gear just because you want to get it for free; beta testing is long and tiring work, 10, maybe 20+ hours a week when I was doing it (I was expected to do at least 10 hours/week), for many months (eventually 18 months). There's nothing free about giving up your time as an unpaid volunteer, so IMO only beta test if you get a kick out of the process (whatever that kick may be, e.g. enjoying the process of bug testing, helping shape the future of a product, having early access to upcoming gear etc).
Ahh, wasn't aware of the time requirements. I put 20 hours a week into my own work. No way I'd have the time to beta test.
User avatar

Re: Official: Akai Force Topic

By Lampdog Thu Jan 31, 2019 9:03 pm
eclipxe wrote:
Lampdog wrote:THIS, makes you a prime target for ALL advertising, con jobs, okey dokes and whoopty whoop bs that comes out.


Agree! Still have to be careful, but when being smart about it, it's a great way to live.

This is true, be smart about it. Don't fall for the okey doke.
Me, I'd just wait and see what problems people run into.

Re: Official: Akai Force Topic

By CharlesRandolph Thu Jan 31, 2019 9:56 pm
Like Tutor said, Beta Testing is not all new gear and fresh music. It's note taking, turning in detailed reports, updated the OS, trying different configurations, taking more notes, report more bugs, more updates, and REPEAT. Doing it for free gear get old after 3 days, doing it for months/years will drive some people crazy. :lol:


Like LAMPDOG said, be smart about IT

Don't be so willing to throw your money away. I buy new gear for two reasons.

1. Continued Education.
2. BUSINESS TAX write off.

If you don't spend it the Tax man will take it. So if you're doing this for business, do it right. That's my reason for ordering the Akai Force.
 Reply
Return to Akai Force