MPC Key 61: New FCC Filing From Akai

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

Interesting thing is, most of the AIR Virtual Instrument plugins only require a minimum of 4GB RAM. Im still holding out for Xpand (and hopefully theRiser) in standalone someday. They already have the Touch UI for it!

The MPC X, MPC One and MPC Live (and the Akai Force!) contain 2GB of RAM which forms part of the main board – this is a fixed amount of RAM and cannot be upgraded.

What's all this negative talk STILL? Sore losers!

This is the NEW motherboard I posted weeks ago to the MPC Forum troll and I was 100% correct.

Double the MPC X!

Ya'll still breathin?




"Onboard Wi-Fi/Bluetooth"

But some goofy said there is only hardwired internet because of the NETWORK port in the rear.


Just shaddaaaauuupp and wait for me to post pictures of me and my new WORKSTATION keyboard!

Nobody likes a smart arse

MPD MPK RAY wrote:

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.

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

I POSTED THIS ON PAGE 38

THATS my BOY!

I'm never leaving here again for NI bro. LAMP where you at?... Masada? Knock Squared......


Avengers ASSEMBLE!

Is the CPU the same, or has that been improved as well?

MPC-Tutor wrote:Is the CPU the same, or has that been improved as well?

OF COURSE IT IS. "Up to 2X Faster CPU"
The board comes like a pre built ITX Intel computer. They can't JUST release a increment. It's a new industry standard.

I don't have a need for that much keys - cause I can't play worth shit - but damn, this is one beautifull machine. I never took much liking to the black colourscheme on the current range, but here it looks real nice. Sophisticated.

Probably gonna sell good for them. If I didnt already have a mpc and midikeyboard - and could play worth a shit - I could imagine getting one.

This puts the X in a tricky position, it's a 'flagship' that now has inferior CPU/RAM, but has better I/O, bigger pads, more Qlinks, bigger screen etc. Does this mean we have an MPCX Mk2 on the way?

Will people be happy to drop $1200 on a Live Mk 2 knowing it has previous generation CPU/RAM inside it? Live Mk3?

Very intrigued about any potential updates for the Force hardware...

otoc wrote:From Pitbull Page
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.

Christov wrote:I don't have a need for that much keys - cause I can't play worth shit - but damn, this is one beautifull machine. I never took much liking to the black colourscheme on the current range, but here it looks real nice. Sophisticated.
Probably gonna sell good for them. If I didnt already have a mpc and midikeyboard - and could play worth a shit - I could imagine getting one.

They must PAY ya'll to come here with discouraging words....

I can't gig live either but when those split key-groups load up I use the left to play or control the right side..... Programing; not live performance. So I purchased a Komplete Kontrol S61 and BOOM! THIS HAPPENED:


I'm bout to go 2X crazy now! I'm baaaack MPC!



WAIT!... Look at that comparison. Akai just TOOK A DUMP ON NATIVE INSTRUMENTS! ITS OVA LADIES AND GENTS!

Smart move with doubling the memory. If it indeed has double the processing power as well then it will probably persuade a lot more existing MPC users to jump on it than what would otherwise be the case considering the underwhelming package you'd get without an updated motherboard. Unless you're OK with waiting for say a version 2 of the X off course, which may or may not be happening. (Probably will but who knows when)

For a number of reasons I've recently decided to go for a Kronos instead and put the Key on wait for now, but I have to say this motherboard upgrade certainly makes it more appealing. I would assume that things like unison mode or more than 4 effects per part could now be possible. No way to expand the number of knobs and audio outputs unfortunately, as it would make it a no brainer for way more buyers. But that's what you get for having the wrong people making decisions.

With that new chipset I can see it coming. Probably no more instruments will be introduced to liveII, one and X and they will all be reserved for their next iterations with the updated SOC.
It does make sense from an update and business standpoint. "Hey kiddies, no more free sh*t for a machine that you bought 5 years ago. Time to buy live III and X mkII if you want all that shiny new vsts".
Ι only wish that Fabric won't be a synth that has the power of lets say serum. I am more and more in techno and similar genres and the more I work with standalone the more I wish I could have access to more modulation options.

MPC Live Mk 3, upgraded CPM/RAM, replace the speaker with a 37 mini keybed, pitch and mod wheels. I accept that we are most likely stuck with 4 qlinks, but OLED displays would be nice. And sort out the pads to be Maschine-quality.

TBH, currently the pads are my main concern about buying any new MPC hardware, my previous two MPC purchases have been a downgrade in terms of pad sensitivity.

Does anyone know if The MPC X has the same A/D Converters as the Live and One? And do you think the MPC Key 61 will have improved A/D converters or the same converters taken from one of a previous MPC model?

I can't see Akai releasing an 88 note version of this MPC Keys workstation,their track record of 88 hammer action keyboards has been very much a failure,I had the MPK88 and it was awful, far too clunky and the keys were very heavy and not very realistic to play,not too mention the keys were poorly made,with sharp edges, it wasn't the best Hammer action I've played, good for studio work but the added weight of a hammer bed for a workstation to be used in a live context is a put off more most unless your famous enough to afford roadies!!!

And as for the MPK Road 88,which was a total failure with users having them recalled and Akai totally removing from production within a few months' shame because I was going to purchase one it looked cool.

As far as workstations go, from a live players point of view I don't know many users who tour or gig with 88 note versions anyway I've only ever used a Hammer action controller under my main workstation for piano playing

When your buying a workstation that your going to be playing synth based sounds for 90% of the time a weighted hammer action gets really fatiguing,I would hazard a guess that the vast majority of the typical MPC community who just make simple beat based music don't even have extensive keyboard playing skills anyway,I only ever got into the MPC lineage because of the sequencers, I was trained to play piano but have always used MPCs to compose in a traditional way not based on sampling and chops,most of the marketing of the MPCs is towards beat making,as a trained keys players That would have put me off ever buying one as a typical Piano player, thankfully I had hands on use of early MPCs and seen the potential of the sequencing aspect, otherwise I perhaps would have still been using Korg Workstations

Its going to be a hardsell for Akai to market this MPCkeys to open it up to the normal keys/Live player without a decent onboard plethora of instant available sounds, which are independent of the sequencing side of things having multiple plug ins is gonna be great but how they work in realtime for live use and how reliable they are is a whole different ball game most of your established keyboard players are already probably using a Montage/Fantom/Kronos/Nord Stage,what would the MPC Keys really add to their arsenal?

I see the potential of the Keys,but again it still would fall a little short for my sound requirements that I would have to add another secondary Keyboard/Synth for my live rig,I've always used 2 or 3 keyboards on stage, but great that I could now remove the MPC4K from that and have a dedicated Keyboard/sequencer in the MPCkeys essentially combining 2 devices into 1

it looks good on paper but how it works for live usage is another thing.

Can we make the assumption that some of the new plugins will only work with the 4GB Ram and 2xCPUs ?

If this is the case I will cry. I dream to see this OPx4 in my MPC One