Radagast Posted June 20, 2022 Share Posted June 20, 2022 Akai Pro MPC Key 61 Comes with 25 virtual instruments built in, support for 3rd party AU/VST plugins, AFTERTOUCH, no sliders for drawbar controls. Street price: around $1900. https://www.synthtopia.com/content/2022/06/18/akai-pro-mpc-key-61-the-first-keyboard-music-production-center/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ Cornish Posted June 20, 2022 Share Posted June 20, 2022 That’s very interesting. Workstations are hard to do well. I am curious to see the reaction once it’s out. Prominent pads on the left (and lack of any sliders) illustrate the perspective they are coming from with this (MPC boxes). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marczellm Posted June 20, 2022 Share Posted June 20, 2022 I find it supremely weird to have this described as an alternative to Kronos. Does the built in plugins feature a B3 emulation, 3 different VA synths, a physical modeler and 16 part multitimbrality using whatever virtual instruments of your liking? Quote Life is subtractive.Genres: Jazz, funk, pop, Christian worship, BebHop Wishlist: 80s-ish (synth)pop, symph pop, prog rock, fusion, musical theatre Gear: NS2 + JUNO-G. KingKORG. SP6 at church. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod S Posted June 20, 2022 Share Posted June 20, 2022 AKAI has tried this concept on "VST in a controller" and abandoned it before. I understand this is different as it adapted the MPC workflow to a key controller, we'll see. Quote Korg Kronos X73 / ARP Odyssey / Motif ES Rack / Roland D-05 / JP-08 / SE-05 / Jupiter Xm / Novation Mininova / NL2X / Waldorf Pulse II MBP-LOGIC American Deluxe P-Bass, Yamaha RBX760 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radagast Posted June 20, 2022 Author Share Posted June 20, 2022 1 hour ago, marczellm said: I find it supremely weird to have this described as an alternative to Kronos. Does the built in plugins feature a B3 emulation, 3 different VA synths, a physical modeler and 16 part multitimbrality using whatever virtual instruments of your liking? Why do you find it weird? Don’t you get it? Just because it may not have the exact same engines as the Kronos, it CAN have them and MORE, if it supports plug-ins. You think that the only way something can be called an alternative is if it only clones the exact same features? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nadroj Posted June 20, 2022 Share Posted June 20, 2022 Actually sounds pretty interesting. Would be even more interesting to hear which 25 virtual instruments come with it. Internal power supply too. Quote Hammond SKX Mainstage 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElmerJFudd Posted June 20, 2022 Share Posted June 20, 2022 Different target audience of course from how maybe we use the Kronos in this community, but certainly cross over in capabilities. A shame they didn’t include after touch as a way to grab some synthy people’s attention. Quote Yamaha CP88, Casio PX-560 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wd8dky Posted June 20, 2022 Share Posted June 20, 2022 The plugins are most likely from their "Air" series that are being ported to the newest MPC and Force series units. Quote http://www.weisersound.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konnector Posted June 20, 2022 Share Posted June 20, 2022 3 hours ago, marczellm said: I find it supremely weird to have this described as an alternative to Kronos. Does the built in plugins feature a B3 emulation, 3 different VA synths, a physical modeler and 16 part multitimbrality using whatever virtual instruments of your liking? The built-in B3 VST would be the AIR DB-33 https://www.airmusictech.com/virtual-instruments/DB-33.html I would imagine you can probably load up any other B3 VST if the DB-33 doesn't suit your needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovernorSilver Posted June 20, 2022 Share Posted June 20, 2022 8 minutes ago, Konnector said: The built-in B3 VST would be the AIR DB-33 https://www.airmusictech.com/virtual-instruments/DB-33.html I would imagine you can probably load up any other B3 VST if the DB-33 doesn't suit your needs. From what I understand, none of the current Akai MPC Live products will load a VST in standalone mode. They will only run the plugins listed on this page: https://www.akaipro.com/mpc-plugin-instruments-insert-effects They can be used with VSTs, when set to controller mode, but if you only use it in controller mode, you might as well just get a controller and save yourself some money. I would not advise putting your money down on this MPC Keys until you're 100% sure that it will run the plugins that you want in standalone mode. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElmerJFudd Posted June 20, 2022 Share Posted June 20, 2022 9 minutes ago, GovernorSilver said: From what I understand, none of the current Akai MPC Live products will load a VST in standalone mode. They will only run the plugins listed on this page: https://www.akaipro.com/mpc-plugin-instruments-insert-effects They can be used with VSTs, when set to controller mode, but if you only use it in controller mode, you might as well just get a controller and save yourself some money. I would not advise putting your money down on this MPC Keys until you're 100% sure that it will run the plugins that you want in standalone mode. What do they use as a base OS? Some stripped down Linux? Quote Yamaha CP88, Casio PX-560 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEB Posted June 20, 2022 Share Posted June 20, 2022 Akai tried this once before and didn’t hang in the market space very long. Maybe if it supported universal stand alone VSTs. Like a Receptor keyboard with real support. Quote "It doesn't have to be difficult to be cool" - Mitch Towne "A great musician can bring tears to your eyes!!! So can a auto Mechanic." - Stokes Hunt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovernorSilver Posted June 20, 2022 Share Posted June 20, 2022 23 minutes ago, ElmerJFudd said: What do they use as a base OS? Some stripped down Linux? I don't know. All the talk I've seen on the OS being Linux seems to be based on speculation rather than official confirmation from Akai. Some people have tried to connect their Linux machines to the highest-end MPC (MPCX) but said they were unable to see the MPCX from their Linux machine. I don't know what the level of expertise with Linux was for any of those individuals: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radagast Posted June 20, 2022 Author Share Posted June 20, 2022 1 hour ago, ElmerJFudd said: Different target audience of course from how maybe we use the Kronos in this community, but certainly cross over in capabilities. A shame they didn’t include after touch as a way to grab some synthy people’s attention. ??? It has aftertouch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radagast Posted June 20, 2022 Author Share Posted June 20, 2022 25 minutes ago, CEB said: Akai tried this once before and didn’t hang in the market space very long. Maybe if it supported universal stand alone VSTs. Like a Receptor keyboard with real support. How is that different from “support for 3rd party AU/VST plugins”? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr -G- Posted June 20, 2022 Share Posted June 20, 2022 30 minutes ago, GovernorSilver said: Some people have tried to connect their Linux machines to the highest-end MPC (MPCX) but said they were unable to see the MPCX from their Linux machine. Do you mean the MPCX was not MIDI- or USB-audio visible? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovernorSilver Posted June 20, 2022 Share Posted June 20, 2022 5 minutes ago, Mr -G- said: Do you mean the MPCX was not MIDI- or USB-audio visible? I don't know. Only one person on that thread offered any detail on what they were trying to do: "I have used the cheap chinese 6 dollar usb midi adaptor but that just sent weird garbled midi messages. When i lsusb in shell nothing about the mpclive came up, and same for aconnect -i -o -l command." I just found that post via my old friend Google. The commands they mention https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/lsusb-command-in-linux-with-examples/ https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/aconnect-command-in-linux-with-examples/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr -G- Posted June 20, 2022 Share Posted June 20, 2022 Thanks. I wonder if it is the cheap usb adaptor that is not doing what it should. I can see the USB-MIDI of a Nord Stage 2 and both USB-MIDI and USB-audio of a MODX under linux. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElmerJFudd Posted June 20, 2022 Share Posted June 20, 2022 1 hour ago, Radagast said: ??? It has aftertouch. No it apparently does not. Quote Yamaha CP88, Casio PX-560 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radagast Posted June 20, 2022 Author Share Posted June 20, 2022 6 minutes ago, ElmerJFudd said: No it apparently does not. The press release has it on the list: 25 Instrument Plugins 61-key semi-weighted keybed with aftertouch 4GB Ram / Quad Core ARM Processor – no need for a computer 16 RGB Velocity-Sensitive MPC Drum Pads with Note Repeat Assignable Touch Strip Controller 2 Mic/Line Inputs with high-end preamps 7” Color Touch Screen with Multi Touch & Gestures Audio Interface with high-quality AD/DA converters Accepts Class Compliant Audio Interfaces and MIDI devices Sounds Button for Fast Browsing 128 Track Midi Sequencer Onboard Wi-Fi/Bluetooth 4 Assignable Q Link Controller knobs Pitch Bend/Modulation Wheels Dedicated Transport Section 4 Discrete Line Outputs 8 Audio Tracks 8 CV/Gate Output Jacks for modular integration Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElmerJFudd Posted June 20, 2022 Share Posted June 20, 2022 18 minutes ago, Radagast said: The press release has it on the list: 25 Instrument Plugins 61-key semi-weighted keybed with aftertouch 4GB Ram / Quad Core ARM Processor – no need for a computer 16 RGB Velocity-Sensitive MPC Drum Pads with Note Repeat Assignable Touch Strip Controller 2 Mic/Line Inputs with high-end preamps 7” Color Touch Screen with Multi Touch & Gestures Audio Interface with high-quality AD/DA converters Accepts Class Compliant Audio Interfaces and MIDI devices Sounds Button for Fast Browsing 128 Track Midi Sequencer Onboard Wi-Fi/Bluetooth 4 Assignable Q Link Controller knobs Pitch Bend/Modulation Wheels Dedicated Transport Section 4 Discrete Line Outputs 8 Audio Tracks 8 CV/Gate Output Jacks for modular integration Ah then I read that wrong… ok then. So maybe their market research will payoff with the laptop crowd. Quote Yamaha CP88, Casio PX-560 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ Cornish Posted June 20, 2022 Share Posted June 20, 2022 5 hours ago, Radagast said: Why do you find it weird? Don’t you get it? Just because it may not have the exact same engines as the Kronos, it CAN have them and MORE, if it supports plug-ins. You think that the only way something can be called an alternative is if it only clones the exact same features? Just curious if you’ve used a Kronos before? A cohesive workstation is rather different than cramming 25 VSTs in a box. How are they integrated? How does patch management work? What is the CPU horsepower available to drive all this stuff? Polyphony? Sample libraries? Direct disk streaming or have to preload to RAM? Effects- In each VST? Global? Many folks use hardware workstations expressly because they aren’t MainStage in a box. The OpenLabs Neko had this problem - essentially a nice PC in an enclosure with a keyboard on it. Integration of its parts was less than perfect. I’m sure this board does at least a reasonable job at many of these things, but how well it does was not clear to me from that pre-release notice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vonnor Posted June 21, 2022 Share Posted June 21, 2022 Internal power supply. I may have to keep an eye on this one. ~ vonnor Quote Gear: Hardware: Nord Stage3, Korg Kronos 2, Novation Summit Software: Cantabile 3, Halion Sonic 3 and assorted VST plug-ins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABECK Posted June 21, 2022 Share Posted June 21, 2022 Are the MPC plugins any good? I can't recall hearing much about them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoken6 Posted June 21, 2022 Share Posted June 21, 2022 They've got a lot right: aftertouch / sustain, switch and expression pedals / internal PSU / aux outputs / audio inputs - and do the USB type-A sockets operate in host mode, allowing USB devices to connect? Cheers, Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnchop Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 This is still the MPC OS. You can't run any VST. And even if they opened the platform, I can't imagine there's enough of a market to make it worth a third-party dev's time to develop for it. Also, what Akai did before (along with other inMusic brands M-Audio and Alesis) was create a controller (Advance) that integrated with VST hosting software, called VIP. THAT product had a ton of potential. Oh well. -John 2 Quote I make software noises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfD Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 On 6/21/2022 at 12:03 PM, ABECK said: Are the MPC plugins any good? I can't recall hearing much about them. IMO, the AIR sound library in Akai MPCs is good enough for gigging musicians too.😎 Quote PD "The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return."--E. Ahbez "Nature Boy" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Still VanDerGraaf Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Still VanDerGraaf Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 UK £1699. That's better than I was hoping for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr -G- Posted June 25, 2022 Share Posted June 25, 2022 What are the key sizes on this? It looks that they are a bit short that I was expecting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.