Mpc key 61

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.
 Reply Share on Facebook

Mpc key 61

By Chrisg Mon Jan 20, 2025 12:23 pm
Hi , sorry if this question has been asked before , new to using an Mpc unit ,
I have a yamaha Modx 7 & have had many inspired song writing sessions using this .
Recently bought the Mpc key 16 to see if would be further inspired to write . I am awful at writing / programming drums & have successfully used preset drums n bass in the past for ideas & template to present to the band . For the life of me i cant find a drum loop preset section in the akai & bass patterns ? Can any one help please ? I dont want to spend ages on drums n bass n lose the will to form a song while doing so . Also the the arp doesnt seem to work in the same way as my Modx or a kronos for example ?
Maybe the mpc isnt for me & should have gone for a kronos for example ?
Have to say the plugin presets on the akai are superb , its a shame its prob not a workstation as such ? Thanks in advance .

Re: Mpc key 61

By B-Wise Mon Jan 20, 2025 2:43 pm
For pre-made drum & bass patterns you would've been better off with a Boss DR-202. :lol:
You can try the demo beats or find some drum breaks, but the MPC or the Force is not made for how you want to use it. It's main claim to fame is being a sampler & sequencer with 16 drum pads for playing samples in your own way.

Even their plugin synths presets don't have PC#/MSB/LSB. It's like they expect us to only use the preset patches as a starting point where we find a patch, tweak it & then make a keygroup program/track out of it. Maybe you can some MIDI files of drum/bass line patterns. Good luck!
User avatar

Re: Mpc key 61

By Lampdog Mon Jan 20, 2025 3:40 pm
B-Wise wrote:….but the MPC or the Force is not made for how you want to use it. It's main claim to fame is being a sampler & sequencer with 16 drum pads for playing samples in your own way


I’m gonna agree with this. MPC isn’t the rompler Op may think or want it to be. I have a Kronos2, the Karma section is exactly what Op described and wanted. I don’t consider Key61 a “workstation”. It’s a sampler w/ a keyboard attached and nice plugin synths imo.

Re: Mpc key 61

By B-Wise Mon Jan 20, 2025 4:38 pm
Lampdog wrote:
B-Wise wrote:….but the MPC or the Force is not made for how you want to use it. It's main claim to fame is being a sampler & sequencer with 16 drum pads for playing samples in your own way


I’m gonna agree with this. MPC isn’t the rompler Op may think or want it to be. I have a Kronos2, the Karma section is exactly what Op described and wanted. I don’t consider Key61 a “workstation”. It’s a sampler w/ a keyboard attached and nice plugin synths imo.

I think these companies be making secret backroom deals not to step on each other toes because it makes no sense that Akai put in the effort to build their own plugin synths & then treat them like ugly step-kids by not giving them PC#'s.

You're right, the MPC/Force aren't workstations, but they easily could be. Make it make sense to me! :hmmm:

Even with the MPC1k/2500 could assign a PC# to each program that could be recorded into the seq, so that if you change the program by mistake or intentional, it would load that program back, or you could use it to program multiple programs to be switched thru as the seqs played. This feature alone could solve the limitation of 1 program per track situation.
User avatar

Re: Mpc key 61

By Lampdog Mon Jan 20, 2025 6:44 pm
B-Wise wrote:Make it make sense to me! :hmmm:

That’s something each person has to do/justify on their own.

Re: Mpc key 61

By Chrisg Mon Jan 20, 2025 8:41 pm
Thanks for taking the time to answer my post , one reason i originally purchased the akai so our keyboard player could use it in a live setting & he would sample / upload & trigger some of the song elements he cant physically play all at once but after using it the key bed wasn't suitable for him anyway .
Its not important for me to be working out a full production drum pattern for recording using the akai , just need the groove to help creative ideas into a song . My Modx 7 is pretty ok with drums & bass presets & arp patterns but the piano & strings , pads etc dont compare to the sounds of the Akai . guess its time to get a kronos thanks again.

Re: Mpc key 61

By Chrisg Mon Jan 20, 2025 10:54 pm
My Modx will do the job for now . Cheers guys
User avatar

Re: Mpc key 61

By Lampdog Tue Jan 21, 2025 12:46 am
Kronos2 is the strongest hardware among my kybds, drum machines.
The most menu-divey.
The most configurable.
The most love/hate (mostly hate) sequencer relationship.

Re: Mpc key 61

By Chrisg Tue Jan 21, 2025 10:02 am
kronos is the way to go . Thanks

Re: Mpc key 61

By sinik Tue Jan 21, 2025 11:03 am
since you are already familiar with the MODX, the "new" MONTAGE M series maybe also a be worth a look. it has really nice layout improvements to the regular MODX, new engines, new piano models, better internals and whatnot.

also, there should be a new KURZWEIL and KRONOS keyboard coming out. so keep a look whats going on at NAMM this year...
User avatar

Re: Mpc key 61

By Lampdog Tue Jan 21, 2025 1:25 pm
Chrisg wrote:kronos is the way to go . Thanks

IMO, still look around and compare, Montage is NOT a joke and should be taken very seriously though.

Re: Mpc key 61

By bldn10 Fri Mar 21, 2025 4:01 pm
"its a shame its prob not a workstation as such" I don't expect preset accompaniment from a workstation, is that not the bailiwick of arrangers?

Re: Mpc key 61

By mpc_fan_2022 Fri Mar 21, 2025 4:14 pm
bldn10 wrote:"its a shame its prob not a workstation as such" I don't expect preset accompaniment from a workstation, is that not the bailiwick of arrangers?


Most workstations have now at least drum sequence presets the user can trigger. Arrangers have complete styles with bass, chords & drums.

the MPC Key 61 is not a workstation, it is a MPC with a keyboard. It does not have a performance system either while most workstations have that, it does not have a ROM either.

AKAI targeted people who wanted a new ASR10, not people who want an alternative to a Fantom or Montage.
User avatar

Re: Mpc key 61

By Lampdog Fri Mar 21, 2025 5:41 pm
mpc_dog_2022 wrote:…..alternative to a Fantom or Montage or Kronos it is not.
 Reply
Return to MPC X, MPC One, MPC Live & MPC Key