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 KaoticShock Sun Jun 19, 2022 1:12 am
moorekv wrote:
That is a picture of a Fender Rhodes electric piano. This leads me to believe there is probably a very nice and authentic sounding multisampled Rhodes soundset like what is found in most all of today's keyboard workstations.

On the otherhand, it could be a physical model of a Rhodes piano similar to what you would find in a Korg Kronos or Nautilus. Akai has their own version of a modeled electric piano in the MPC through their plugin called "Electric." I feel like "Electric" is Akai's weakest plugin because it just doesn't sound like a very convincing or realistic sounding Rhodes or Wurlitzer to me. I think it sounds fake, which is why I rarely use it if ever. Perhaps Akai revamped their "Electric" plugin or replaced it altogether with a far better sounding multisampleset or physical model of the Rhodes and Wurlitzer in this new MPC keyboard. That's what I'm hoping. I'm also hoping this would come to the rest of the MPC line in a future update as well. It definitely looks interesting.

Fingers crossed!!!!!



Thanks for clearing that up! It was difficult to see, even when zoomed in. This goes back to what Straker and I were talking about. Since Electric is a scaled down version of Velvet, could this new "Stage EP" be a scaled down version of Electric?

Also, I think the sounds in Electric are hit and miss. There are some good sounds and some bad sounds, and some bad sounds that can sound good by tweaking the built-in FX. It's definitely not as good as Velvet, but I used it in a beat I made this morning with some Keygroups from a Korg Triton Expansion, and an Auto-Sampled Bass patch from Sampletank and it sounded fine. Electric will not replace a Rhodes MK8, but for basic beats it will suffice. Hopefully Stage EP is closer to Velvet than Electric is.
By TonyO. Sun Jun 19, 2022 1:45 am
KaoticShock wrote:
kaydigi wrote:Looks good, would definitely get a smaller version if they ever make one .



Smaller....... like 37 mini keys? I'll take one also.


I agree. This keyboard looks nice, but it’s too big for my needs. A 61 Key would take up almost my entire desk space. I currently use a 37 Key Novation SL controller which I really love and have become accustomed to the small form factor. If Akai ever releases a 37 Key, I’d definitely buy a compact MPC Key without hesitation.
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By MPD MPK RAY Sun Jun 19, 2022 3:13 am
MPC-Tutor wrote:And another:

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Certified Beatz wrote:Also a network port.. man nice..

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MPC LIVE 2
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So I'm NOT getting the X now... No network. Tutor you think this MPC Key 61 might sync to the Live 2 using CAT5 cables possibly save one .XPJ? What's the LINK/NETWORK feature for?
By Certified Beatz Sun Jun 19, 2022 4:35 am
MPD MPK RAY wrote:
MPC-Tutor wrote:And another:

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Certified Beatz wrote:Also a network port.. man nice..

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MPC LIVE 2
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So I'm NOT getting the X now... No network. Tutor you think this MPC Key 61 might sync to the Live 2 using CAT5 cables possibly save one .XPJ? What's the LINK/NETWORK feature for?


I did buy a USB to network adapter which works
By otoc Sun Jun 19, 2022 4:41 am
From Pitbull Page


The Power of Sound
Introducing the Akai Professional MPC Key 61, the revolutionary new standalone production synthesizer keyboard powering the next chapter of the MPC legacy. Building on the history of powerful sequencing and revolutionary sampling, MPC Key 61 adds the most advanced next-generation virtual instruments and effects to MPC, adding to its arsenal of industry-leading music production tools. And now, with the addition of a 61-key semi-weighted keybed with aftertouch, the MPC experience ascends to an unprecedented level of creative interaction and expression, delivering the world’s most powerful and complete standalone workflow.


FEATURE BENEFITS
25 Cutting-edge Instrument Plugins
Expressive 61-key semi-weighted keybed with aftertouch
Powerful 4GB Ram / Quad Core ARM Processor – no need for a computer
16 RGB Velocity-Sensitive MPC Drum Pads with Note Repeat
Assignable Touch Strip Controller
2 Mic/Line Inputs with high-end preamps
Vibrant 7” Color Touch Screen with Multi Touch & Gestures
Audio Interface with high-quality AD/DA converters
Accepts Class Compliant Audio Interfaces and MIDI devices
Sounds Button for Fast Browsing
Powerful 128 Track Midi Sequencer
Onboard Wi-Fi/Bluetooth
4 Assignable Q Link Controller knobs
Pitch Bend/Modulation Wheels
Dedicated Transport Section
4 Discrete Line Outputs
8 Audio Tracks
8 CV/Gate Output Jacks for modular integration

Breaking Sound Barriers
Inside MPC Key 61, experience a new dimension of sound like never before. Powered by 25 plugin instrument engines at your fingertips, and with over 6000 cutting-edge presets, MPC Key 61 delivers the most modern-day sound pallet ever programmed in a production synthesizer. Each plugin instrument features advanced synthesis, deep parameter editing, and modern effects developed for a truly inspiring musical experience—all designed with a fast and vibrant touch interface for an intuitive and compelling workflow. Immerse yourself in a world of sound engines ranging from deep FM Synthesis with OPx4, to rich and elegant instruments including Stage Piano, Stage EP, Session Strings, and Organ. The powerhouse synth Fabric XL also delivers everything from drone-basses to lush and deep atmospheric pads taking your music creation to another dimension.


IDEAL PERFORMANCE AND FEEL
Keys to Expression
The MPC Key 61 features an incredibly expressive and playable semi-weighted keybed with aftertouch to drive its world-class sounds with dynamic responsive control. With players and producers in mind, technology and artisanship were combined to breathe inspiration into every performance. The MPC Key 61’s keybed is designed to deliver the highest performance experience possible connecting the dots between sound and feel.


Plugin to a World of Effects
From essential Studio FX, to mixing and mastering, to vocal tuning and harmony processors, MPC Key 61 includes over 100 state-of-the-art effects ready to load across your music productions. Insert lush and spacious Reverb & Delay effects to your tracks, add bounce and punch to your drums and mix using modern or vintage style compressors and limiters, or retro-up your sounds and samples with modern day Lo-Fi effects such as Half-speed, Flavor and Amp Simulations for that slowed down Vinyl feel. In addition to industry-leading sound, each MPC plugin also features a meticulously crafted user interface resulting in stunning visuals that jump out of the vibrant 7” touch screen. Experience plugin FX like never before only inside MPC Key 61.


Perfect Tune & Harmony
MPC Key 61 is the world's first production synthesizer incorporating modern day vocal FX plugins which can also be used for the most creative sound design. Fully record and mix the perfect vocals directly inside MPC Key 61’s standalone environment with 2 onboard high-end preamps. Whether you want that modern day vocal tuning FX sound, or the capability of adding 4-part harmonies to your vocals, the AIR Vocal Suite delivers the ultimate plugin tools featured across all contemporary music. From Rap, Pop and R&B vocal effects to adding textures to your samples—the sky’s the limit.


Touch Strip for Hands-on Control
The onboard assignable Touch Strip Controller is a catalyst for new ways to control and interact with your own signature sounds. Bend, warp and manipulate sounds in real-time in ways no other synthesizer can. Touch capacitive assignable real-time Q-Link controls allow for endless creative ingenuity. Q-Links are already intelligently and automatically pre-mapped advantageously, but reassigning them to virtually any parameter or synth element opens worlds of new creative energy for production and performance.


Dynamic Expression
Dedicated Pitch Bend and Modulation Wheels mean an added touch of expression to elevate your compositions. Bend the notes of your synth and lead sounds in Fabric XL, add gentle vibrato to your stringed instruments in Session Strings, or dial in the speed of the Organ plugin’s rotary Leslie cabinet and hear your organ parts swell with a wide chorused tremolo. The Mod and Pitch wheels are two more tools that bring depth and dimension to any MPC Key 61 keyboard part.


THE FULL MPC EXPERIENCE
Ultimate Sequencing Workflow
The MPC sequencing workflow is simply unmatched. With 128 tracks of internal and external MIDI, Keygroup Instruments, Clip Launching and 8 plugin instruments and audio tracks, MPC standalone has the power to capture any musical production. The responsive color touch display stands up to any task like editing notes on the drum grid, triggering Step Sequencer events, writing/editing automation, and more. The MPC sequencing workflow is the most advanced and integrated standalone system available for today’s modern music creators.


30 Years of Legendary Sampling
From over 30 years of genre-defining sampling technology, MPC Key 61 brings the Full MPC sampling experience only Akai Professional can deliver. MPC Key 61 is the world's first true “sampling production synthesizer” with unparalleled sampling features from the leading MPC Line. From advanced sampling, sample slicing, and multi-sample layering, to capturing vintage synths using our award-winning (Auto Sampling) technology and time stretching, the only limit is your imagination. Built-in microphone preamps with high-end converters combined with Vintage MPC60 and MPC3000 emulation plugins bring sampling capabilities to an unprecedented level.


The Ultimate Feel and Groove
The 16-velocity sensitive RGB pads on MPC Key 61 are the same award-winning pads as the MPC One. In addition to the iconic MPC pads are the renowned Time Correct, Swing, and Quantize features of MPC that continue to endure as mainstays of modern music production. The always-popular Note Repeat makes hi-hats and other percussion elements sizzle and swerve through any track while Full Level and 16 Levels add pitch and variety to any drum or melodic sample.


THE HUB OF YOUR PRODUCTION WORLD
Surround your Creativity
MPC Key 61 will connect your entire creative studio and workflow together with ease. Connect up-to 32 MIDI devices via USB with MIDI Multi, expand your Audio I/O to 32 inputs and outputs using Class Compliant interfaces, or connect your vintage synths using MIDI In/Out/Thru. For Live Daw-less production, MPC Key 61 also includes 8 CV/Gate jacks allowing you to connect to a wide variety of synthesizers, sound modules, analog modular gear and more for a completely dialed-in sonic creation station. Onboard WI-FI/Bluetooth allows for wireless synchronization with Ableton Link and updating to the latest MPC OS. Two USB-A ports also come in handy for storage and MIDI controllers while an additional SATA storage bay allows for volumes of expandable sounds and tracks.


Standalone Vocal Production and Recording
The MPC Key 61 has an onboard 24-bit Audio Interface with high-end preamps and AD/DA converters. Individual gain knobs control the input of the combo XLR/TRS ¼" inputs with phantom power for driving condenser microphones. 2 main outputs, 2 sub outputs and an additional headphone output further allow for expansive connections. Capture pristine vocal tracks and then process them with the onboard AIR Vocal Suite, or record guitars, bass, or even other keyboards for the ultimate in audio recording and sampling capabilities.


DAW Integration with MPC2 Software
The bundled MPC2 Desktop DAW for Mac and PC supercharges the MPC experience with expanded track counts and support for 3rd party AU/VST plugins. MPC2 is the optimum platform for unrestricted creative versatility, delivering unprecedented surgical control and integration with the MPC Key 61 system. Run it as a DAW or as a VST/AU plugin in 3rd party DAWs like FL Studio, Logic, Ableton, Pro Tools, Studio One and more.


Standalone Power at your Fingertips.
The powerful features integrated inside MPC Key 61 were engineered for a seamless standalone creative workflow. Powered by 4GB of Ram, MPC 2.11 Operating System, 32 GB Internal SD, a world-class 16GB onboard Factory Library, comprehensive I/O Connectivity, and a dedicated SATA bay for SSD Expansion, the MPC Key 61 comes packed with everything needed for modern music production.
By J.O.BEATS Sun Jun 19, 2022 5:13 am
Good work bro! Now we know exactly what it is/isn’t. Just need to know what all those plugins are and if we’ll be able to get them on our Lives/X. I don’t need “lush drone pads”. Give me some dope guitars, strings, horns, piano, electric basses etc for standalone.
By otoc Sun Jun 19, 2022 5:46 am
otoc wrote: Immerse yourself in a world of sound engines ranging from deep FM Synthesis with OPx4...


Is this Hype or a new 4 operator FM synth?

Other thoughts and notes:


    The Pitbull page showed a price of $1899 - I hope that's real, seems reasonable.
    I hope we can assign the pads and the keys to two separate programs simultaneously
    It would be cool to see a retro version of this.
    I don't need this because I'm happy with my MPC Live 2, but I'm still going to buy it. I don't like the clutter and extra cables when using an external keyboard.
    Assigning multiple programs to the keyboard is going to be a lot of fun (bass synth on left hand, one shots, chords, on the right, etc)
    Just like other recent MPCs, it has generous CV outs. This is a no-brainer for eurorack/modular artists. Having keys may bring more of those folks into the MPC eco system.
    Before Pitbull took it down, it said "in stock". - My guess here is that Akai was waiting on parts to be able to have inventory in stock at dealers before making any official announcements. The MPC Live 2 and One launches had little to no inventory on hand and people weren't happy.
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By MPD MPK RAY Sun Jun 19, 2022 6:33 am
MPC-Tutor wrote:Don't we already have vacuum pro in the guise of Tubesynth? It's a little stripped down, but clearly the same synth underneath?

Regarding the references on the box to 'synthesizer', anyone who thinks Akai are going to have implemented a hardware synth inside this thing just haven't been paying attention. I know personally nothing about this new hardware, so have no 'inside knowledge' to share, but have to assume this is reference to the synth plugins; a software synth is a synth and Akai have already developed the MPC software/firmware to run all manner of software synths, hence making this MPC Key 61 'a synthesizer'. And a sampler. And whatever name the marketing department chooses. Surprised they didn't call it a workstation though.

Once again, this is almost certainly an existing MPC with a keyboard glued on. Or if you prefer, an MPK261 with an MPC rammed up its backside. Nothing revolutionary, just Akai re-arranging existing hardware components from across their brands and utilising the existing software with some tweaks that enhance the workstation aspect (eg. keyboard splitting, preset browser etc). Nothing wrong with this at all, why not use what you already have to make something new and useful without having to spend $$$$$ in R&D.

:roll:
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MPC-Tutor wrote:Damn, they did it, upgraded ram.

8)
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I POSTED THIS ON PAGE 38
:popcorn:
Last edited by MPD MPK RAY on Sun Jun 19, 2022 6:50 am, edited 1 time in total.
By KaoticShock Sun Jun 19, 2022 7:15 am
J.O.BEATS wrote:Good work bro! Now we know exactly what it is/isn’t. Just need to know what all those plugins are and if we’ll be able to get them on our Lives/X. I don’t need “lush drone pads”. Give me some dope guitars, strings, horns, piano, electric basses etc for standalone.


Thankfully I have a Korg Triton Expansion for those. I am also disappointed about the "drone Basses and lush atmospheric pads" only looking forward to OPX4 now.