MPC Key 61: New FCC Filing From Akai

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.
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Re: MPC Key 61: New FCC Filing From Akai

By ace_of_dub Wed Jan 12, 2022 7:37 am
I hope it's possible to tilt the screen. The inability to do that on the Force was a huge design mistake. Just put a row of Q-links on each side or something.

But if their goal is to compete with the MODX and other workstations, AKAI will really have to work hard on the whole MIDI thing, because right now it's not good. All Note Off MIDI bugs, inability to change plugin patches per sequence, inability to define key-ranges for plugins, poor arpeggiator, ...

Just adding a few more synthesizers isn't going to cut it.
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Re: MPC Key 61: New FCC Filing From Akai

By EnochLight Wed Jan 12, 2022 8:37 pm
True, but all of those issues are addressable with software fixes - they just need to take the time to implement them. I'm more interested on whether or not we'll actually see a proper Arranger (and disk streaming) now that the Key 61 is "unofficially official"? :lol:

Either way, I'm good with my Live II. It's more portable, has a battery, and I can hook up any MIDI controller keyboard I want. That said, if I didn't own an MPC today, and wanted something to stay in my studio, I'd certainly consider something like this.

Re: MPC Key 61: New FCC Filing From Akai

By J.O.BEATS Wed Jan 12, 2022 9:12 pm
What’s the point of this? It’s a Live with a keyboard. Who doesn’t have a midi keyboard with their live?

Also funny that I was joking around here when the live2 was leaked and said the space where the speaker was for keys. Maybe I inspired them lol
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Re: MPC Key 61: New FCC Filing From Akai

By MPC-Tutor Wed Jan 12, 2022 9:27 pm
J.O.BEATS wrote:What’s the point of this? It’s a Live with a keyboard. Who doesn’t have a midi keyboard with their live?


Probably hasn't cost them much to develop, all the parts taken from various existing products, keybed probably MPK, most of the MPC 'bits' from an MPC One, touchstrip from the new studio etc, nothing particularly 'new', so worth throwing it together to attract some sales. I suspect it won't be particularly cheap, but people who want an MPC workstation 'studio centerpiece' will likely buy it without a second thought, especially if it has all the I/O of the X.
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Re: MPC Key 61: New FCC Filing From Akai

By EnochLight Wed Jan 12, 2022 9:29 pm
J.O.BEATS wrote:What’s the point of this? It’s a Live with a keyboard. Who doesn’t have a midi keyboard with their live?


Because believe it or not, there is an actual market for proper keyboard workstations still (see the Roland Fantom series and the Yamaha MODX among some). Akai wants a piece of the pie, and honestly - with what the MPC OS can do these days (and the expected appearance of Arranger at some point), they've got a winner on their hands that's quite mature. I'm looking forward to seeing how it's received.

MPC-Tutor wrote:people who want an MPC workstation 'studio centerpiece' will likely buy it without a second thought, especially if it has all the I/O of the X.


^^ THIS ^^ Though I am reluctant to believe it will have the i/o of the X.

Re: MPC Key 61: New FCC Filing From Akai

By J.O.BEATS Wed Jan 12, 2022 9:49 pm
EnochLight wrote:
J.O.BEATS wrote:What’s the point of this? It’s a Live with a keyboard. Who doesn’t have a midi keyboard with their live?


Because believe it or not, there is an actual market for proper keyboard workstations still (see the Roland Fantom series and the Yamaha MODX among some). Akai wants a piece of the pie, and honestly - with what the MPC OS can do these days (and the expected appearance of Arranger at some point), they've got a winner on their hands that's quite mature. I'm looking forward to seeing how it's received.

MPC-Tutor wrote:people who want an MPC workstation 'studio centerpiece' will likely buy it without a second thought, especially if it has all the I/O of the X.


^^ THIS ^^ Though I am reluctant to believe it will have the i/o of the X.


I understand why Akai would make it. I just believe the people who will buy this already have a live or X. Can’t really see a huge market who don’t already have a modern MPC.

But maybe the price point will be significantly lower than its competition.
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Re: MPC Key 61: New FCC Filing From Akai

By Lampdog Thu Jan 13, 2022 1:08 am
jabberwalky wrote:In a lot of ways though, this will be the modern day ASR10 I would think.

Your trying too hard, slow your roll.

:lol:

Re: MPC Key 61: New FCC Filing From Akai

By HUBA Thu Jan 13, 2022 5:24 am
J.O.BEATS wrote:What’s the point of this? It’s a Live with a keyboard. Who doesn’t have a midi keyboard with their live?


Just like having a proper, easy to use onboard sequencer in your synth is usually a more practical solution, especially ergonomically, than a separate sequencer beside or behind the synth, there are real advantages with a keyboard workstation over a groovebox with a separate keyboard. Compared to an integrated one, a separate MIDI keyboard is a pretty clunky and non elegant solution. Not really the same at all. Sure there's an upside to being able to detach the MPC for traveling or for jamming in the sofa, but then you have to buy/rent/borrow a keyboard when you arrive or use the pads to play riffs, basslines and the likes.

J.O.BEATS wrote: I just believe the people who will buy this already have a live or X. Can’t really see a huge market who don’t already have a modern MPC.


I agree, many existing MPC owners are probably going to buy this. It doesn't mean however that many others wont buy it too. Thing is that while there are many grooveboxes available from many brands (and many, many buyers), practically none are offered with an integrated keyboard. So unless one believe the reason for grooveboxes being popular is more about them not having a keyboard than the highly addictive all in one approach then I say there's a very good reason for making keyboard versions available.

On top of all that, a humble MPC Live with a keyboard attached would also happen to classify as a pretty damn powerful workstation, especially given that a few long awaited software updates will eventually manifest. Now as it happens, workstations are somewhat popular too, and my point is that because practically all of the workstations available on the market are either huge and expensive or highly lacking in the sampling, sequencer or FX department, there's a great opportunity for Akai lying here, waiting to be exploited.
With a full set of 16 Qlink knobs and I/O of the MPC X, they would not only have the only current groovesynth on the market, and a really good one at that, but could at the same time completely rule the market for semi affordable workstations with one single product.
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Re: MPC Key 61: New FCC Filing From Akai

By jabberwalky Thu Jan 13, 2022 11:23 am
Lampdog wrote:
jabberwalky wrote:In a lot of ways though, this will be the modern day ASR10 I would think.

Your trying too hard, slow your roll.

:lol:


I'll slow it a little haha, mainly because Akai isn't nearly as insane as Ensoniq was! It will never be the same. The motivation isn't there to make a sampler with all sorts of crazy modulations like messing with loop points modulations, functional crossfade loops, several LFOS etc.. I started out samplers with an EPS16 and I still miss it. (and even that had more sample editing features than MPC)

But, today, if you want something even close that doesn't freeze every time you write something halfway decent....well I can't think of much else.
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Re: MPC Key 61: New FCC Filing From Akai

By EnochLight Thu Jan 13, 2022 2:35 pm
jabberwalky wrote:I started out samplers with an EPS16 and I still miss it. (and even that had more sample editing features than MPC)

But, today, if you want something even close that doesn't freeze every time you write something halfway decent....well I can't think of much else.


* raises hand *

I also started out with Ensoniq workstations (first the VFX series, then the EPS, then the ASR). I can confirm with absolute clarity that Ensoniq, while ahead of its time (for the affordable bedroom musician), made some of the most buggy OS that I can remember working in (save for early Windows 98). :lol: I always had random crashes or lockups on every Ensoniq workstation I ever used. I mean, it wasn't frequent - but they certainly happened at the most inopportune times. Really got me into the habit of saving constantly.

Re: MPC Key 61: New FCC Filing From Akai

By KaoticShock Thu Jan 13, 2022 3:41 pm
A lot of awesome points on this thread. (Not sure about it being the modern day ASR10, that board was legendary) What makes this product interesting and competitive is the ability to add an HD/SSD. The one major feature that the MODX/Kronos/Fantom Lines are missing is the ability to increase the storage by a vast amount. Depending on what they decide to price it at, it will directly compete with the Roland FA-06.

The two good things that will come out of this product launch are an increased userbase/community and more firmware updates!
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Re: MPC Key 61: New FCC Filing From Akai

By Monotremata Thu Jan 13, 2022 3:56 pm
jabberwalky wrote:
I'll slow it a little haha, mainly because Akai isn't nearly as insane as Ensoniq was! It will never be the same. The motivation isn't there to make a sampler with all sorts of crazy modulations like messing with loop points modulations, functional crossfade loops, several LFOS etc.. I started out samplers with an EPS16 and I still miss it. (and even that had more sample editing features than MPC)

But, today, if you want something even close that doesn't freeze every time you write something halfway decent....well I can't think of much else.


We need that loop search feature Ensoniq had!! Man I totally **** up this weekend. Dude about an hour from me had a beautiful EPS-M and a Mirage rack he had in storage for years for sale. $400 each. I closed my browser thinking 'Ill check on those later' and yesterday his entire ad was gone. :oops: :oops: :oops:
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