I suppose the comments indicate that this product is very attractive to people who know literally nothing about DAWs, MIDI controllers or FL Studio, which I guess means Akai has done something right in creating this product. Looks nice, and would potentially improve workflow hugely - if you already were an FL Studio power user, that is. I’m considering getting into FL Studio properly now, just so I can one day justify getting one.
Hi Joey, I really like your reviews, still I'd like to add some notes on this one, which may prove to be useful if you do another FL or other review in the near future. At 8:00 you loaded Transistor Bass as instrument, but pressing a note actually triggered a preset sequence, because of the way this is set up. You can see the different preset numbers switch in the top left corner. The split screen would've worked better if a larger part of screen was shown, so it shows both the step-sequencer and the mixer. In Performance Mode you can trigger, apart from internal sounds and sequences, also MIDI notes, sequences and CC messages on external gear, such as FX and even lighting. Using the term 'MIDI sounds' is a bit contradictory, because MIDI consists only of messages. I'm surprised you didn't comment on the small buttons and lack of velocity in this review. Although the velocity can be adjusted, which you did show. I bought a Fire controller after seeing the review, and I'm a long term user, so you sold this well! Thank you very much for sharing, have a great week and enjoy the music, cheers!
I'm guessing not. This was to test the waters if a dedicated controller is marketable and if the users find it useful, updates will follow. Mostly it's up to the users to get creative and the controller let's you do just that. If you only want to trigger notes and events, any other MIDI-controller will do. Productive and creative FL Studio users will get the most from the Akai Fire.
Quick question. I purchased this as a gift for someone. (I have zero experience with music and production). On the box, it says "Software not included." If you plug the machine into the computer using the USB cord, can you use this pad with other programs such as garage band or any other MacBook programs? Or, does it only work with fruity loop software?
They should have made this more like the mpc/mpd. Or just make a firmware update for the mpd series where all the knobs, sliders, and shortcut buttons are assigned to the correct functions.
Digital DJ Tips ok, I was asking because in the App description it‘s written that it‘s compatible with MIDI-controllers. Would have been logical that it‘s compatible with a dedicated FL-controller. Anyway, thanks for the answer!
In performance mode, the color of the pattern (Press F2, choose color) decides the color of it's triggering button. The button will instad appear white while playing that pattern, so to see this, be sure to change the color of more than just the one you currently have selected. Change a few.
Hey man! It's a DAW as well so yes it does the "same thing" as Ableton, but the workflow is different from using Ableton Live. They're both easy to get started on, though I've found that the stock sounds and instruments in FL Studio sound a whole lot like what you hear in commercial dance music these days :)
Digital DJ Tips awesome. I played trombone and drums all through 5th grade till my 2yr in college so seeing measures and notes is like reading a 2nd grade book to me lol. It’s the computer I have a problem with. I started on a Dr-5 beatboss machine by Roland in 95 and someone stole it yrs layers and never got back into it, till now
this needs at least a 16x16 grid, ability to stack/link/chain 2 or more fires and pan/volume knobs for each track. then, two new products: first for the playlist (also minimum 16 tracks) with dedicated buttons for all the shortcuts (draw/paint/delete) and a dedicated button(s) for step/quantization. and the second one for the mixer (at least 16 channels) with dedicated buttons such as pan/volume/mute etc. basically FL studio in hardware.
So does my phone but we are talking about professionals and this will help them to improve the workflow. This is not some midicore ipad stuff, this is for pros
Thank you for one of the best reviews I've seen of the device. Very detailed explanations.
Thank you so much :) it can be a bit tricky for beginners, but it's quite rewarding once you get used to the workflow!
I suppose the comments indicate that this product is very attractive to people who know literally nothing about DAWs, MIDI controllers or FL Studio, which I guess means Akai has done something right in creating this product. Looks nice, and would potentially improve workflow hugely - if you already were an FL Studio power user, that is. I’m considering getting into FL Studio properly now, just so I can one day justify getting one.
Thanks for weighing in Hakon, agreed they're doing a good job of enticing new users it seems :)
This is an essential controller!🔥🙌🏼
Loved the video and learned a lot. Thanks.
An Expert review Joey, very informative - this is on my wish list now
Thank you David! I've fallen in love with FL Studio (Fruity Loops) all over again and I'm seriously considering doing some beginner tutorials XD -Joey
Hi Joey,
I really like your reviews, still I'd like to add some notes on this one, which may prove to be useful if you do another FL or other review in the near future.
At 8:00 you loaded Transistor Bass as instrument, but pressing a note actually triggered a preset sequence, because of the way this is set up.
You can see the different preset numbers switch in the top left corner.
The split screen would've worked better if a larger part of screen was shown, so it shows both the step-sequencer and the mixer.
In Performance Mode you can trigger, apart from internal sounds and sequences, also MIDI notes, sequences and CC messages on external gear, such as FX and even lighting.
Using the term 'MIDI sounds' is a bit contradictory, because MIDI consists only of messages.
I'm surprised you didn't comment on the small buttons and lack of velocity in this review. Although the velocity can be adjusted, which you did show.
I bought a Fire controller after seeing the review, and I'm a long term user, so you sold this well!
Thank you very much for sharing, have a great week and enjoy the music, cheers!
Thanks for the feedback Mark, hope you're enjoying the Fire :)
It be nice to see something like this just for Logic Pro x step sequencer.
Amazing video! Extremely helpful. Thanks for posting
No problem :)
Thanks for the video! Which is better for beginners, mpk mini or fire? Thanks!
Get the MPK Mini for all around use, the Fire if you want to focus on FL Studio's step sequencers :)
Very good Tutorial & Review :)
Glad you found it useful.
Do you think they will come out with a "pro" version of this, another kind of dedicated fls-controller or maybe just updates to the fire software?
Your guess is as good as ours on that one!
I'm guessing not. This was to test the waters if a dedicated controller is marketable and if the users find it useful, updates will follow.
Mostly it's up to the users to get creative and the controller let's you do just that.
If you only want to trigger notes and events, any other MIDI-controller will do.
Productive and creative FL Studio users will get the most from the Akai Fire.
Quick question. I purchased this as a gift for someone. (I have zero experience with music and production). On the box, it says "Software not included." If you plug the machine into the computer using the USB cord, can you use this pad with other programs such as garage band or any other MacBook programs? Or, does it only work with fruity loop software?
I don't believe it does no, not without significant remapping and probably losing a lot of functionality
@@digitaldjtips thank you😉
Nice video, one question: do you can use the effects with this controller and the vst from the daw?
This is only a controller - all the FX come from the FL DAW itself :)
Ok , thanks
Does this need to be connected to a computer? Anybody who knows pleaseee answer, I want to get this for my boyfriend
Yes it does. If your boyfriend uses "FL Studio" on his laptop to make music with, this is for him.
Digital DJ Tips thank you!
You're welcome :)
also does this come with fl studio? or is that a separate charge?
It comes with FL Studio "Fruity Fire" edition which is a special "lite" free version of FL Studio so you can make stuff right away :)
it comes with a watered down version of FL Studio that only works if you have the AKAI Fire hooked up.
They should have made this more like the mpc/mpd. Or just make a firmware update for the mpd series where all the knobs, sliders, and shortcut buttons are assigned to the correct functions.
Some cool things they could do going forward, it's a great first go though for a FL controller :)
will it work with any other daw out there?
Haven't tried it, I imagine it wouldn't be worth the hassle even if you could map it
@@digitaldjtips thanks. think I neeed STREAM DECK XL :)
Is the „Fire“ compatible with the mobile version of FL, for instance on iPad?
I don't believe so no
Digital DJ Tips ok, I was asking because in the App description it‘s written that it‘s compatible with MIDI-controllers. Would have been logical that it‘s compatible with a dedicated FL-controller. Anyway, thanks for the answer!
I'm late, but is there any possible way i could configure my akai fire to become a launchpad?
I'm sure you could map it to whatever functionality you like, haven't tried to though and we not longer have one
can you use it in ableton daw? does akai has midi controller for 16 tracks?
It's designed specifically for use with FL studio we haven't tried it with Ableton but I'm sure you could get it working
can you change the colour of the pads because on amazon, it shows they pads in better and brighter colours
if anyone knows, please reply
Yes you can change the color, the brightness, and the contrast.
In performance mode, the color of the pattern (Press F2, choose color) decides the color of it's triggering button. The button will instad appear white while playing that pattern, so to see this, be sure to change the color of more than just the one you currently have selected. Change a few.
Is it compatible with other programs
No, but you can probably assign the controls individually via Midi Learn :)
Thanks for the video! Subbed and look forward to checking out your channel
Thanks!
Will it work on fl10?
Haven't it tried it so couldn't say
im new to daw....Does this do the same thing as Ableton? and which is the easiest to learn on?
Hey man! It's a DAW as well so yes it does the "same thing" as Ableton, but the workflow is different from using Ableton Live. They're both easy to get started on, though I've found that the stock sounds and instruments in FL Studio sound a whole lot like what you hear in commercial dance music these days :)
Digital DJ Tips awesome. I played trombone and drums all through 5th grade till my 2yr in college so seeing measures and notes is like reading a 2nd grade book to me lol. It’s the computer I have a problem with. I started on a Dr-5 beatboss machine by Roland in 95 and someone stole it yrs layers and never got back into it, till now
Digital DJ Tips I had a maschine mikro and returned it within a week lol was was to hard to understand the daw it came with.
how can i get all the bars white and red from startup?
Not sure on that one Christian, have you checked the manual?
Digital DJ Tips yes. Cant find it no where:/
User guide and cheat sheet is here: www.akaipro.com/akai-fire-firexus
Are the pads velocity sensitive?
No
They are of limited sensitivity :)
They are but FL Studio chose to ignore it
this needs at least a 16x16 grid, ability to stack/link/chain 2 or more fires and pan/volume knobs for each track. then, two new products: first for the playlist (also minimum 16 tracks) with dedicated buttons for all the shortcuts (draw/paint/delete) and a dedicated button(s) for step/quantization. and the second one for the mixer (at least 16 channels) with dedicated buttons such as pan/volume/mute etc.
basically FL studio in hardware.
But what if u already have fl studios
What would be the problem there? :)
@@digitaldjtips Now if you already own FL studio, you can get the Fire at a $100 discount, for only $99! It's a 'Fire' sale currently with image-Line!
You haven't explained notes section properly. Should've played some melody and chords in that section.
A mouse and keyboard can already do this though lol
True but you can say that of virtually everything DAW related, it's about workflow :)
An iPad does so much more and a lot easier.
Thanks for weighing in
So does my phone but we are talking about professionals and this will help them to improve the workflow. This is not some midicore ipad stuff, this is for pros