Thanks a lot for the video. It's exactly what I wanted to know about this keyboard. I was about to buy it but these loading times are too long for me. I'm happy to see that there is a setlist environment, but it's not enough live usable for the moment. I will wait for an update and keep an eye on this amazing synth. Keep on doing these vids, they are so useful and precise. Thanks again.
I think it is a good proposal that Akai should pick up as you will get more people interested not just producer/stage professional but also in differing events. I hope Akai are seeing this!
Awesome instrument and great demo/tutorial. Now I am pretty sure I will buy the Key61 and your video helped a lot to decide! Thanks, I really like your Key61 videos, please keep up the great work. Subscribed for more :)
Great video. I think the MPC is a great complement to a more traditional keyboard like a Nord or a Fantom. It seems to excel in the exact areas that other workstations struggle e.g. track playback, sampling and sequencing.
I know the point of this tutorial is using the mpc keys without additions, but if you just add a little midi controller, all the layering becomes really easy for a live set. Thats how I use my MPC Live: paired with a midi keyboard and a little akai midi controller. Thats a valid and really flexible setup with up to 8 plugins/sounds. Just bringing in whatever the Song needs. Also love your videos, would by the mpc keys if could afford it :D
Great video! Very inspiring! I have an MPC ONE with a midi keyboard and will try to recreate the setup! I would be happy to see more videos about possible uses of the MPC in the service! Greetings and God's blessings!
Thank you for your tutorials on the akai MPC key 61. Sometimes I have a little trouble following your button pushing as it moves pretty rapidly. But I enjoy watching especially since you break it down into different segments rather than one long overview. Good enough I subscribed to the channel, something I rarely do.
Thanks this video helps me a lot. Hadn’t thought of using tracks that way. I have bought this to replace a novation 61 SL mk3 which I used with Ableton live to stack sounds for each song. I love the way this gets out of the way compared to a computer DAW and aids quick inspiration and laying down tracks. I would like to use it to play backing tracks with our small music team so if you could make a video with tips on that subject I would greatly appreciate it. One question I thought of while watching your video was is there a limit on the number of tracks you can stack? I have discovered the unfortunate limit of 8 plugins used at a time which I think I can overcome using keygroup instruments? I have heaps of great plug in instruments which I want to sample into key groups so any tips there would also be helpful. Thanks for your videos. I’m finding them very helpful as I am totally new to the MPC way of doing things.
I understand switching between projects may take some time playing live, what about switching between sequences? My thought is that it might be possible to set up a few sequences with common sound combinations, maybe even one sequence for each song, and switch between those while playing live? Also, is it possible to build a looping synth pattern ahead of time in one track, and trigger it while playing other sounds?
This is exactly what I do. Seamless transitions between sequences, no loading. I have a project I use for my wedding band that uses 8 plug-in instruments and a ton of keygroup instruments. I have some general purpose/genre sequences, as well as song-specific sequences with pre-arranged splits and layers, and even have some set up to be played by a second MIDI keyboard. Handles it beautifully. And yeah you definitely could have a programmed sequence play on one track while playing other instruments on other tracks
Awesome tutorial (and product demo)! With regards to the sustain pedal not holding over as you change tracks, I have to think that this could be addressed in a firmware update and would be an option you can enable/disable on the fly. I would LOVE to see Akai come out with an 88key option. Unfortunately, this wouldn't be a firmware update. 😄
It's a matter of how deep Akai is willing to get into the keyboard workstation environment. One you tube mpc user actually wants them to go smaller with a 49-key version, but by his own admission, he's not a keyboard player.
Doug great vidz! Subbed ! QUESTION 🙋- ever thought of hooking up an Akai road hammer 88 weighted midi controlled keyboard to the MCP 61? I have sent a note to Akai asking how I can get more octaves for a “truer” 88 key piano arrangement for orchestral compositions. Any thoughts to this ? Or is it just a wait for Akai to drop the 88 MCP version ? I must say for Akai’s first Keyboard version it looks like a strong competitor, I mean how many revisions of the Nord and Yahama lines are there ? 4 and yahama bow with the mod8x + , 7+, + series ..
Thank you for the great tutorials from DSoundman! But even with the always very friendly and smart DSoundman Honestly, the Akai with the current OS fails in the live scenario. - - nobody wants long loading times when changing sounds in 2022 - No grouping of multiple sounds per pad possible - Bugs with crashes (internal error) - No controller assignment for footswitch per channel, only a global keyboard mode - Favorites and Setlist expandable - There are missing natural sounds, wind instruments in the orchestra plugin, flute, accordion, - I know you can sample yourself, but looping and setting multisamples is not that trivial either. A Moogbass is quickly sampled. - An instrument with natural vibrato doesn't. - + many sounds are great + Plugins sound great + Samplers and sequencers + Display and processing + Keygroup sounds for example the F9 extension is also great What was Akai thinking? Hip hop and EDM producers usually have already an MPC. New customers want practical functions. When programming the sound, I want to stay in the Sounds mode and edit everything there. Layers, splits, volume, effects, controller assignment. And not in between in the sequencer mode, mixer, ... E.g: Pad 1 = Piano / Sustain with FS1 Pad 2 = Piano Pad Layer / Sustain with FS1 Pad 3 = Organ / FS1 Leslie on off Pad 4 = Rhodes Pad 5 = Organ Brass Split I don't want to do hip hop with it. Akai MPC key is a great tool for writing songs quickly. Hey Akai just steals the awesome Setlist Mode from the Korg Kronos, the controller function from the Yamaha Modx and the performance idea from the Roland Fantom. Add your ingenious sampler sequencer without annoying loading times and you have a real bestseller and long runner. I hope prayers for updates are answered quickly.
The biggest stumbling block for me with the MPC Keys 61 is the organ engine. I'd really like for them to develop and tweak that engine further - have the percussion disable the 1' drawbar, and add mic distance to the leslie sim. Right now, it feels too much like amplitude modulation rather than the stereo width I enjoy from a real Leslie and better sounding sims like what's on the Nords or the Ventilator.
Heyo!! This is amazing! Thank you so much for addressing the exact questions I had on this board. :) As much as I’d love a Nord Stage 3, when I saw demos for this, I was blown away! Plus it’s like 3k cheaper than an 88 key stage 3! One question for you: A big appeal for me regarding the Stage 3 is the ability to fade in/out or swell one sound coming in while another gets quieter, or just build the two sounds together. Can this keyboard fade a synth in while playing the piano? I think you kinda covered this here. Lol thank you!! (The kinds of sounds/ fading in and out I’m thinking of is from groups like For King & Country’s “Relate” right at the start, etc.) You rock, man! 🙏😄
The loading time really holds me back from buying it. Have they been able to more or less solve this? Would a fast ssd solve this? The unit has usb 3.tranfer speed right?
Great video. You answered a lot of questions for me. This helped me tremendously. One question I have is adding click tracks in the set list. Can I add different song click tracks in the same performance or would I have to add a click for each song on a different performance on the set list.
Thanks! If you used the internal metronome you’d have to change the tempo for each song, so that wouldn’t be ideal unless you have time to switch projects for each song. Another option could be to create an audio file of the different tempos and assign them to the drum pads. I’d have to mess with that to see how valid an option it would be! Just some thoughts!
Thanks for this video. You mentioned set list just as I was typing to ask if it had it ...yeah 30 sec is too long to choose in between songs. Akai has a good product ...so far ...why can't they just make it a bit more performance friendly to outshine d other competition? But this a good video. Thanks
Exchanged my Nordstage 2 for this, the 2 has been getting old and only had 400 mb of memory vs 32 gig for this, its secondary to Mainstage , as a back up or transistion keyboard…, only weird thing is it wont connect via usb to MS, only 5 pin midi cable …, that workaround is ok. How can we use the pads for drone triggers?
Nice video, but I still see Nord Stage 3 on a completely other level. Mpc key is nice for producing, but also there… sounds are not that good, Nord is step ahead also on that. And don't want to mention seamless transition, crossfade splitpoint… I believe the aim of these 2 instruments is pretty different. I own Nord stage 3 and Akai Force BTW
You can sample your Nord keyboard or any other keyboards with the MPC Keys 61 .
I actually assign my Q-Links to control my volume levels for my layers. That is far more convenient.
Using them both. The Nord and the Mpc Key
Thanks a lot for the video.
It's exactly what I wanted to know about this keyboard. I was about to buy it but these loading times are too long for me.
I'm happy to see that there is a setlist environment, but it's not enough live usable for the moment.
I will wait for an update and keep an eye on this amazing synth.
Keep on doing these vids, they are so useful and precise.
Thanks again.
I think it is a good proposal that Akai should pick up as you will get more people interested not just producer/stage professional but also in differing events. I hope Akai are seeing this!
Awesome instrument and great demo/tutorial. Now I am pretty sure I will buy the Key61 and your video helped a lot to decide! Thanks, I really like your Key61 videos, please keep up the great work. Subscribed for more :)
Thanks!
Great video. I think the MPC is a great complement to a more traditional keyboard like a Nord or a Fantom. It seems to excel in the exact areas that other workstations struggle e.g. track playback, sampling and sequencing.
I know the point of this tutorial is using the mpc keys without additions, but if you just add a little midi controller, all the layering becomes really easy for a live set. Thats how I use my MPC Live: paired with a midi keyboard and a little akai midi controller. Thats a valid and really flexible setup with up to 8 plugins/sounds. Just bringing in whatever the Song needs.
Also love your videos, would by the mpc keys if could afford it :D
Great video! Very inspiring! I have an MPC ONE with a midi keyboard and will try to recreate the setup!
I would be happy to see more videos about possible uses of the MPC in the service!
Greetings and God's blessings!
Thank you for your tutorials on the akai MPC key 61. Sometimes I have a little trouble following your button pushing as it moves pretty rapidly. But I enjoy watching especially since you break it down into different segments rather than one long overview. Good enough I subscribed to the channel, something I rarely do.
I love your videos! Thanks so much Douglas!
Thanks this video helps me a lot. Hadn’t thought of using tracks that way. I have bought this to replace a novation 61 SL mk3 which I used with Ableton live to stack sounds for each song. I love the way this gets out of the way compared to a computer DAW and aids quick inspiration and laying down tracks. I would like to use it to play backing tracks with our small music team so if you could make a video with tips on that subject I would greatly appreciate it. One question I thought of while watching your video was is there a limit on the number of tracks you can stack? I have discovered the unfortunate limit of 8 plugins used at a time which I think I can overcome using keygroup instruments? I have heaps of great plug in instruments which I want to sample into key groups so any tips there would also be helpful. Thanks for your videos. I’m finding them very helpful as I am totally new to the MPC way of doing things.
Great video. Thanks. Will definitely help me. Blessings.
I understand switching between projects may take some time playing live, what about switching between sequences? My thought is that it might be possible to set up a few sequences with common sound combinations, maybe even one sequence for each song, and switch between those while playing live? Also, is it possible to build a looping synth pattern ahead of time in one track, and trigger it while playing other sounds?
This is exactly what I do. Seamless transitions between sequences, no loading. I have a project I use for my wedding band that uses 8 plug-in instruments and a ton of keygroup instruments. I have some general purpose/genre sequences, as well as song-specific sequences with pre-arranged splits and layers, and even have some set up to be played by a second MIDI keyboard. Handles it beautifully. And yeah you definitely could have a programmed sequence play on one track while playing other instruments on other tracks
Awesome tutorial (and product demo)! With regards to the sustain pedal not holding over as you change tracks, I have to think that this could be addressed in a firmware update and would be an option you can enable/disable on the fly. I would LOVE to see Akai come out with an 88key option. Unfortunately, this wouldn't be a firmware update. 😄
It's a matter of how deep Akai is willing to get into the keyboard workstation environment. One you tube mpc user actually wants them to go smaller with a 49-key version, but by his own admission, he's not a keyboard player.
Doug great vidz! Subbed ! QUESTION 🙋- ever thought of hooking up an Akai road hammer 88 weighted midi controlled keyboard to the MCP 61? I have sent a note to Akai asking how I can get more octaves for a “truer” 88 key piano arrangement for orchestral compositions. Any thoughts to this ? Or is it just a wait for Akai to drop the 88 MCP version ? I must say for Akai’s first Keyboard version it looks like a strong competitor, I mean how many revisions of the Nord and Yahama lines are there ? 4 and yahama bow with the mod8x + , 7+, + series ..
Thank you for the great tutorials from DSoundman!
But even with the always very friendly and smart DSoundman
Honestly, the Akai with the current OS fails in the live scenario.
-
- nobody wants long loading times when changing sounds in 2022
- No grouping of multiple sounds per pad possible
- Bugs with crashes (internal error)
- No controller assignment for footswitch per channel, only a global keyboard mode
- Favorites and Setlist expandable
- There are missing natural sounds, wind instruments in the orchestra plugin, flute, accordion,
- I know you can sample yourself, but looping and setting multisamples is not that trivial either. A Moogbass is quickly sampled.
- An instrument with natural vibrato doesn't.
-
+ many sounds are great
+ Plugins sound great
+ Samplers and sequencers
+ Display and processing
+ Keygroup sounds for example the F9 extension is also great
What was Akai thinking? Hip hop and EDM producers usually have
already an MPC. New customers want practical functions.
When programming the sound, I want to stay in the Sounds mode and edit everything there. Layers, splits, volume, effects, controller assignment. And not in between in the sequencer mode, mixer, ...
E.g:
Pad 1 = Piano / Sustain with FS1
Pad 2 = Piano Pad Layer / Sustain with FS1
Pad 3 = Organ / FS1 Leslie on off
Pad 4 = Rhodes
Pad 5 = Organ Brass Split
I don't want to do hip hop with it. Akai MPC key is a great tool for writing songs quickly. Hey Akai just steals the awesome Setlist Mode from the Korg Kronos,
the controller function from the Yamaha Modx and the performance idea from the Roland Fantom. Add your ingenious sampler sequencer without annoying loading times and you have a real bestseller and long runner.
I hope prayers for updates are answered quickly.
The biggest stumbling block for me with the MPC Keys 61 is the organ engine. I'd really like for them to develop and tweak that engine further - have the percussion disable the 1' drawbar, and add mic distance to the leslie sim. Right now, it feels too much like amplitude modulation rather than the stereo width I enjoy from a real Leslie and better sounding sims like what's on the Nords or the Ventilator.
1. Can I do finger drumming at the same time on the pads as I do piano playing ? If so how
Can you tell me how to play the drum pads and the keyboard at the same time?
how can i put all my different samples in diff tempos on separate
pads in the same tempo?
Heyo!! This is amazing! Thank you so much for addressing the exact questions I had on this board. :) As much as I’d love a Nord Stage 3, when I saw demos for this, I was blown away! Plus it’s like 3k cheaper than an 88 key stage 3! One question for you: A big appeal for me regarding the Stage 3 is the ability to fade in/out or swell one sound coming in while another gets quieter, or just build the two sounds together. Can this keyboard fade a synth in while playing the piano? I think you kinda covered this here. Lol thank you!! (The kinds of sounds/ fading in and out I’m thinking of is from groups like For King & Country’s “Relate” right at the start, etc.) You rock, man! 🙏😄
The loading time really holds me back from buying it. Have they been able to more or less solve this? Would a fast ssd solve this? The unit has usb 3.tranfer speed right?
Hi is possible use microphone and play live piano in same time ?
oh wow you can actually play.. nice.. you should play like that all the time
Great video. You answered a lot of questions for me. This helped me tremendously. One question I have is adding click tracks in the set list. Can I add different song click tracks in the same performance or would I have to add a click for each song on a different performance on the set list.
Thanks! If you used the internal metronome you’d have to change the tempo for each song, so that wouldn’t be ideal unless you have time to switch projects for each song. Another option could be to create an audio file of the different tempos and assign them to the drum pads. I’d have to mess with that to see how valid an option it would be! Just some thoughts!
You could use several sequences within a project and each sequence can have different tempo.
Thanks for this video. You mentioned set list just as I was typing to ask if it had it ...yeah 30 sec is too long to choose in between songs. Akai has a good product ...so far ...why can't they just make it a bit more performance friendly to outshine d other competition? But this a good video. Thanks
Loading times though. Really needs to stream the sounds from SSD.
Hi - loving your videos.
Can you get the wheel to control the volume of the strings/pad. I do this with my Stage 3
Exchanged my Nordstage 2 for this, the 2 has been getting old and only had 400 mb of memory vs 32 gig for this, its secondary to Mainstage , as a back up or transistion keyboard…, only weird thing is it wont connect via usb to MS, only 5 pin midi cable …, that workaround is ok. How can we use the pads for drone triggers?
I would like a video where you use the Akai with the NS3c via the extern section. Can that work in a live situation.
Can you layer more than 2 sounds and save them?
Nice video, but I still see Nord Stage 3 on a completely other level. Mpc key is nice for producing, but also there… sounds are not that good, Nord is step ahead also on that. And don't want to mention seamless transition, crossfade splitpoint… I believe the aim of these 2 instruments is pretty different.
I own Nord stage 3 and Akai Force BTW
Ummm it’s a sampler so if the sounds aren’t any good load some better ones🤔
@@ablack9431 sorry i do not get it
what it supposed to be??? where was any church sound here???? any pipe organs????????????
This Akai synthesizer puts the Teenage Engineering OP-1 to shame!
what pad sounds would be good on the mpc key 61 for church
Here are a few I’ve started to use!
ua-cam.com/video/0QvWpOqiiVA/v-deo.html
When the Church need some beat: Just Buy the AKAI MPC Key 61
I use Oxygen pro 61 at church
With MainStage? Or controlling something else?
@@DSoundman with komtakt in reaper. I also have to run 4 mics in reaper.
@@beatprocess What computer are you using what are the specs. I can see that working with the Kontakt library (Maverick by any chance?)
@@shan5445 i use mac mini M1.