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 MPC-Tutor Thu Jun 23, 2022 8:07 pm
KaoticShock wrote:
MPC-Tutor wrote:£1699 in the UK
https://www.andertons.co.uk/akai-MPC-ke ... r-keyboard


Hey Tutor, Sweetwater gave me some conflicting info about the SD card slot. On the Sweetwater Product info it says that the MPC Key 61 has an SD card slot, yet we haven't been able to locate one. Any conformation?


It's not mentioned in the specs in the manual, I don't think it has one. Internal drive appears to still be invisible, it is for my Live/One, so I guess they expect people to install a SATA or rely on USB.
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Re: MPC Key 61: New FCC Filing From Akai

By Lampdog Thu Jun 23, 2022 9:43 pm
Do you see a slot on the pics Tutor posted up. Nope.
Also, go look on the website. See for self.

:-D

Re: MPC Key 61: New FCC Filing From Akai

By TonyO. Thu Jun 23, 2022 10:16 pm
Akai, if you’re listening, I need my MPC Key 37 by Christmas (I’ll also consider a 49). My desk is 55 inches wide. No chance I’m fitting a 45 inch wide beastly 61 Key on my desk. I hate to have to sit out on the sidelines seeing the MPC looks really awesome and is reasonably priced. The huge keyboard size is the only deal breaker for me. To everyone buying, enjoy and make some dope music with it :) cheers!

Re: MPC Key 61: New FCC Filing From Akai

By hansjbs Thu Jun 23, 2022 10:35 pm
TonyO. wrote:Akai, if you’re listening, I need my MPC Key 37 by Christmas (I’ll also consider a 49). My desk is 55 inches wide. No chance I’m fitting a 45 inch wide beastly 61 Key on my desk. I hate to have to sit out on the sidelines seeing the MPC looks really awesome and is reasonably priced. The huge keyboard size is the only deal breaker for me. To everyone buying, enjoy and make some dope music with it :) cheers!


If you check the sonic state video with Andy Mac around the 23 minute mark I think, they kinda hinted that the 61 key is the only variant. It might change but I don’t see how they can fit everything in less than 61 keys. If they do, lots of things would be removed.

Re: MPC Key 61: New FCC Filing From Akai

By TonyO. Thu Jun 23, 2022 10:45 pm
hansjbs wrote:
TonyO. wrote:Akai, if you’re listening, I need my MPC Key 37 by Christmas (I’ll also consider a 49). My desk is 55 inches wide. No chance I’m fitting a 45 inch wide beastly 61 Key on my desk. I hate to have to sit out on the sidelines seeing the MPC looks really awesome and is reasonably priced. The huge keyboard size is the only deal breaker for me. To everyone buying, enjoy and make some dope music with it :) cheers!


If you check the sonic state video with Andy Mac around the 23 minute mark I think, they kinda hinted that the 61 key is the only variant. It might change but I don’t see how they can fit everything in less than 61 keys. If they do, lots of things would be removed.


The reason I think they can offer a more compact version is because there is so much dead I utilized space on the front and rear panel. They probably could just cut down the chassis and keep all of the internal the same, reorganizing the intervals to fit a smaller form factor. I’m no electronics engineer, so I’m not sure if this is possible. I just hope they’re planning a smaller version. Also, Seeing the Fantom 0 series offered a few different model types (although none smaller than 61), it doesn’t make sense to me that Akai would only offer one model. I’m thinking this keyboard is going to give some touring musicians some serious back pain trying to lug this beast of a keyboard around. Forget about a flight case. This thing weighs like 45 lbs on its own. I’m just hating on it because I really want one but don’t have the space for it. I live in an apartment with limited space. Not everyone is Scott Storch living in a mansion.

Re: MPC Key 61: New FCC Filing From Akai

By TonyO. Thu Jun 23, 2022 10:46 pm
*there is so much initialized space on the front and rear panel. This is why I think Akai could shrink the keyboard down to a smaller compact version.

Re: MPC Key 61: New FCC Filing From Akai

By TonyO. Thu Jun 23, 2022 10:48 pm
As much as I try typing, this spell-correction keeps messing up my typing. Jesus!!! Hopefully you understood what I was saying. Moral of the story: I think a 37 key is possible because Akai left a lot of dead space on the front and rear panel

Re: MPC Key 61: New FCC Filing From Akai

By SakisX Thu Jun 23, 2022 11:37 pm
TonyO. wrote:As much as I try typing, this spell-correction keeps messing up my typing. Jesus!!! Hopefully you understood what I was saying. Moral of the story: I think a 37 key is possible because Akai left a lot of dead space on the front and rear panel

Don't forget there are different PCBs connected below the knobs/buttons , so it's not as easy as you think to scale down the unit . (different pcb placement , possible heat , interference , long cables)
______________________________________________________
Seeing videos on Youtube I understand now that it's different than connecting an MPC One with a midi keyboard, the question is if it worth the extra cost , but it's totally subjective
Not many sound reviews , Accurate Beats said he will make another video and since he likes Maschine sounds , it will be interesting .
CPU seems the same , only ram is upgraded . If all MPCs can run the same amount of plugins (and the XL plugin versions) as the Key61 , then I guess there aren't any 2G models left and Akai is buying the 4G model ,which means that all MPCs will get 4G ram soon. (my speculation)

Re: MPC Key 61: New FCC Filing From Akai

By hansjbs Fri Jun 24, 2022 1:25 am
TonyO. wrote:As much as I try typing, this spell-correction keeps messing up my typing. Jesus!!! Hopefully you understood what I was saying. Moral of the story: I think a 37 key is possible because Akai left a lot of dead space on the front and rear panel


I understand what you mean and I’m with you. I also want smaller than 61 keys but like I said I won’t hold my breath
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Re: MPC Key 61: New FCC Filing From Akai

By MPC-Tutor Fri Jun 24, 2022 7:25 am
Still not sure why they haven't included more dedicated shortcut buttons, for example PROGRAM EDIT, which is probably the most used mode for me, love having it on the MPC one. There's so much space available, for example space for another group of 4 buttons to the left of the screen, loads of space to the left of the touchstrip or under the logo on the right. I get there's not 16 qlinks for cost and perhaps just to keep the X more special, but surely adding a few more shortcut buttons wouldn't have added any significant cost?
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Re: MPC Key 61: New FCC Filing From Akai

By MPC-Tutor Fri Jun 24, 2022 7:30 am
And no SD card slot, it's not the end of the world, but why on earth actively choose to not include this when every other model has one? SD cards are low profile, fast and convenient. I miss having Dan Gill show up after each release where we could grill him on this kind of stuff. "Why did you do this? Explain Yourself!!!". 'Well actually, there's a very good technical reason for this, let me elaborate...." :mrgreen:

Re: MPC Key 61: New FCC Filing From Akai

By SakisX Fri Jun 24, 2022 12:29 pm
MPC-Tutor wrote:Still not sure why they haven't included more dedicated shortcut buttons, for example PROGRAM EDIT, which is probably the most used mode for me, love having it on the MPC one. There's so much space available, for example space for another group of 4 buttons to the left of the screen, loads of space to the left of the touchstrip or under the logo on the right. I get there's not 16 qlinks for cost and perhaps just to keep the X more special, but surely adding a few more shortcut buttons wouldn't have added any significant cost?


I think the "Edit" button is Program Edit
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Re: MPC Key 61: New FCC Filing From Akai

By Lampdog Fri Jun 24, 2022 12:40 pm
MPC-Tutor wrote:Still not sure why they haven't included more dedicated shortcut buttons, for example PROGRAM EDIT, which is probably the most used mode for me, love having it on the MPC one.

Coming from X. THIS has me shook. I use that PROGRAM EDIT alot on X.
Also since I’ve never had to use only 4 q-links, this is working my nerves too. I’m spoiled on the SUPER convenience of the 16.

I do like the rubber click buttons. Is that what is on the Force? Looks like the same type buttons and feels like the same rubber as the drum pads. I much prefer that over hard plastic buttons.

Lots of unused space everywhere. A lost opportunity unless it’s saved for future hardware expansion. And/Or “cut down” to 37 keys like some want.

Having 2 shift buttons is great, but, I never had to use SHIFT so much so it’s a lil annoying, just gotta get used to it.
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Re: MPC Key 61: New FCC Filing From Akai

By NearTao Fri Jun 24, 2022 12:57 pm
My suspicion is that whatever test group they had to test the Key 61, wasn't a bunch of choppers and beat heads... which is cool... just means the target was to get new blood into the ecosystem and sell products in a space where they weren't overlapping too much with existing product lines.

The people who are in the market for the Key 61 in general do not already have an MPC, so they're not going to know what they are missing with Q-Links, or extra buttons or anything else... they are likely in the market for a decent key bed, some good piano/rhodes/organ/etc plugins, a bit of automation (hence 4 q-links), a basic sequencer, and a relatively low cost. All of this kind of stuff points more to the keyboard player first, and sets them up as a pathway into other Akai products, expansions are an easy path from the Key 61... and probably ensures a revenue stream into other keyboard related plugins and expansions.

I get how folks can see this new product as a slap in the face for long time MPC users to some extent, but as long as Akai stays with the platform it also means a chance that we'll continue to see updates for the foreseeable future. MPCs prior to the Live/X/One/Key61 line had much shorter support cycles... the MPC 1k/2.5k was only kept alive really from JJOS, and the MPC 5000 was a neat idea, but never really brought to a logical conclusion for what it really could have done.

Am I getting a Key 61? Nope... Am I getting the paid plugins? Not at $500 USD. Heck, would I even pick up a Key 61 XL that was a mashed up MPC X with a Key 61? Not likely... All this just tells me that it's not a device for me.
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