🛑 5 Reasons Why I would Choose the Akai Force Over the MPC Live 2 🤔

This video will detail 5 reasons why I would choose the Akai Force over the MPC Live 2! Enjoy!
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Thank You for Watching!

[@Jean-Mi_Paradis]

I do agree. The Akai Force, even in 2024, is still a beast. No other products does come close to it. I did try the MPC ecosystem, but the workflow doesn’t speak to me. The workflow in the Force is somehow, pure logic for my brain. Another very cool feature, is the disk streaming. Anyway, got my Force with a 4TB SSD which has all my expansions, synths, audio loops & FX, and a 1TB SDXC card to store all my projects. The Force is a machine which I will keep for years, guarantee! Great video, thanks for sharing it!

[@DJREZEREKT]

Disk streaming is now in the 3.0 update

[@candyflip6345]

I love my Force. The sequencer is amazing. I use it to sequence my hardware synths. Its the ultimate Techno machine.

[@christianokami2220]

The Force is an absolute beasts for live perfomance! It's truly like abelton in a box, and have done tons of live gigs laptop free with my band thanks to the Force. Also, the Macros controls are bananas!

[@tarasavvy]

I think you've convinced me! I was lookin at MPC Live 2 + an MK3 Pro launchpad to have standalone workflows but also enough pads and clip launching functionality to really turn it in a live set. This is literally both of those in one. Thank you for bringing it to my attention 😌🙏!

[@TheCliffzone]

Not only the Akai Force is a great machine overall but it also has the cross fader the MPC's don't have. So many things you can do with the Force.

[@timhatch27]

This is great. I have both the MPC Live 2 and the Force. Every time the Force ends up being the primary instrument in the system. Every Time.

[@mega-spinz]

Bonus **** Loads MPC Sequences -Programs and Ableton Live Sets.

[@alchemistrpm82]

Elbow, you forgot the macros! This is high on my top 5, I think it would be on yours too if you really dig in to it. It's RIDICULOUS how deep you can go with macro control on the Force. It's almost neck-and-neck with the arranger and the clip-based workflow for what makes the Force such a... well, force. Still use my Live though, it's just more portable.

[@davidallred991]

I traded out my MPC Live 2 for an Akai Force after the newest update adding interface support and disk streaming. I could not be happier, it does everything I wish the MPC did. I think it really depends on what you are doing with it and what type of music you produce. I like to play live using multiple synths and effects pedals as a long live set so it is much better than the MPC for that IMO. I could see if your primary focus is sampling and laying down one beat at a time, or that you are a big finger drummer and want the bigger pads, then the MPC may be the better option. One major difference for me is the ability to easily record loops of different bar lengths on the fly and have everything working seamless. With the MPC I would have to extend and duplicate other tracks to accommodate and if I wanted to make changes it was not easy on the fly in a live workflow.

[@joshk2181]

does force handle various loop lengths well, does it do polymeter now?

[@davidallred991]

@@joshk2181 It does various loop lengths very well because you could have essentially as many clips playing at the same time at whatever length you want. This is one of the biggest reasons I prefer it to over the MPC. So polymeter works fine. What you still can't do though is easily set up different time scales. You are stuck in 4/4 time as a base. You can do workarounds but it would be nice to be able to switch for those that want to. I only work in 4/4 time, so not an issue for me, but I know it is for a lot of people.

[@magnusjohansson295]

You speak of loops of different length. Say, is there any limit to how many bars a loop can be max?

[@djjrt2815]

not only some legit OG beats and tutorials, but you got the video side and pull. Keep the hustle up.

[@DJ279V]

This looks very interesting. I use the 2000xl and love the rawness of the older technology, but this unit's modern DAW is superb for sure!

[@timtam6369]

I totally agree! I have the MPC one and the akai force and the force is much better. 16 pads on the mpc one is great, but the 64 mini button grid for clip launching is the future for sure. Also I agree the layout is much easier to navigate with less menu diving. With the recent firmware updates over the last year that removed many of the initial memory limitations, I added a 2tb ssd and fhe force is a production beast! Also note that akai bumped the price up $200 last year. I don't think people realize how good the force is yet, they sell used on reverb for only $700

[@lundsweden]

May the Force be with you... seriously I'm thinking of buying the force after this!

[@digitaldiezel5870]

💯💯🏆🏆 I LOVE THE FORCE! I don’t even use the PC anymore to create music.

[@supernatural802]

6th fav feature - The crossfader! Such a useful addition.

[@thaexception3406]

Like you said it makes you want to make music and it is a beauty. It would be dang near perfect for me if we could favorite samples at minimum and save groups, drum kits etc. with samples & midi!

[@innersmooth4686]

When they make a new force it’s going to be even crazier 😳

[@rorz999]

I hope they make a Force MK2 with a tilted screen that you can adjust

[@healthyhappyhero]

I have both and as a guitar player the x fade on the MPC is so useful. No x fade on force. The force needs the x fade to avoid those click sounds you get at the start/end of a loop when recording guitars/other external gear. this one change would make the force workflow 10x faster for me as I have to edit each guitar recordings fade in/out to remove the clicks. That’s the biggest downside to the force for me.

[@Zelamir]

Hi, I'm pretty sure there is x-fading on the Force. In the 3.1-manual it says on page 225 in the Sample Edit chapter under Trim Mode: - 'Tap X-Fade to open the X-Fade window, which lets you apply real-time crossfade looping to sample playback. Before applying a crossfade, make sure the Loop Lock setting is Off and the Loop function is set to Forward. Then, you can set the Length of the crossfade and the Type, either Equal Power or Linear.' - The button looks a bit different though and it's in a different position: in Trim Mode it is that little button right on the left of the Tune setting, that little x-fading symbol, which is greyed out in case loop lock is on. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[@TheGonzBeats]

You can also use the envelopes. Adjust the attack and release

[@producer21207]

The Force is complete.Its also setup to easily complete full arrangements even in Clip mode.Most beat producers with other gear will only do the Beat with all the elements and move on to the next without arranging.The Force is so quick and easy from start to finish.

[@robinr22]

That flat screen though. Big device like that with a big surface in front is crying out for a tiltable screen.

[@ShaighJosephson]

@@robinr22 A tilt touchscreen would be a bonus, but not a dealbreaker... You can easily mount the unit at an angle...

[@popsproductions8547]

You preachin to the choir with me bub. You know i love this FORCE!!!

[@krazywabbit]

The ending how you flipped the script on what’s coming up in the next video. Well played. I keep hearing others say people don’t like the Force long term. Yet I trust what you have to say.

[@magnusjohansson295]

Five reasons to love this video: 1. Elbow is a dope dude. 2. His reasons stand to reason... 3. The Force i PHAT! 4. El got straight to his points. 5. I want the Force... Greetings from Sweden man.

[@marcuselbow]

lol….thanks Mag!! Much love brother!! 🙏🏾👊🏾

[@DylanParisMusic]

Agreed on all points, great vid!

[@PoboyMusic]

I have been having the force for about 2 years, and recently got the live. The workflow on the live 2 is certainly a step backwards from the Force. I do love the portability of the live 2 though and the speakers! The force is a beast though and probably the best thing Akai has ever made.

[@marcuselbow]

Yes sir I agree 💯

[@BubbaSatori]

Thank you for your take on this.

[@jacksp8de]

First time I’ve seen a video about this and it looks pretty dope! This is basically an MPC Push 😂 they obviously was inspired. But I dig it! All the reasons you like this are the same reasons I love the push, except the stand alone part. A stand alone ableton push would be crazy

[@jacksp8de]

@@bryantwalley Ah yeah that’s right forgot about that. That’s dope!

[@DJREZEREKT]

Oh this video was made 2 years ago....mpc has caught right up to app these points

[@JackAcid]

Sold. Great video, big man.

[@joesnowivfree]

I love launching clips

[@biggrime]

Great video. As a mpclive mk1 owner I can't argue with this list.

[@elyad67]

Im considering canceling my live 2 order and get a force as they are the same price over here, altough that gold live 2 and portability is sweet, it can be gimmicky. Even though I am a beginner I am accepting the steap learning curve with the Force, the UI looks soo much cleaner and like a DAW indeed

[@malobeats]

It is when I watch your videos that I get tempted to try out the force, lol. Amazing video brotha. Blessings 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@marcuselbow]

I appreciate you nephew?! Been checking you out as well bruh you killing it!!! Keep up the great work! And them edits…🔥❤️‍🔥🔥❤️‍🔥

[@savv.e2088]

I bought a force and took it back because I didn't like there was no mute tracks like mpc live 2.i would like a video on how it is done on force

[@Jazman342]

I've had an MPC Live2 for a couple of years and am now looking at getting a Force as well as rather than instead of my Live2. If you gotta have mains power and headphones it's NOT truely "stand alone". I'm retired and spend 6 months a year travelling and fishing in the tropics. I can take my Live2 fishing and make beats while waiting for a bite. I sort of miss Ableton and Push though, but don't want to spend money on a new lap top. My MacBook pro is now 10 years old but still works fine, running all the software I'm ever going to buy. Back when I bought it, it was cheaper to own 1 good computer with midi hardware. Now the computer part is so cheap that dedicated devices (stand alone) makes more financial sense.

[@Jazman342]

Just did a quick check on prices. A new 13" MacBook with 16 gig ram and a 2 tb ssd (basically the same specs as my 10 year old one) costs $3500 and an Akai Force about $1700 here in Australia. My old MacBook runs software enough fo my use and the ssd holds all my music files. NI Komplete 10 etc. BTW: The 250gig SSD-2tb SSD upgrade for the Mac cost $1200 of the quoted $3500. A 1tb SSD for the Force..... under $100. I've owned plenty of midi controllers in the past. Launchpad, Ableton Push, Maschine mk3 & Jam, but those days are long gone. Plus with both, I can use Ableton Link, even when travelling, using an inverter to power the Force. I guess I could even run the line out from the Force into an audio input on the Live2.

[@hovermotion]

Superb comparison.. I am thinking of the X or the Forse next..I have a Deluge but I am not keen on its workflow. 👍

[@samgoldsberry3029]

I like the Force more but use the MPC X. If Akai ever decide to make a software companion for the Force, it would be more mature than the current MPC Software based on the Force as it is now. Fingers 🤞!

[@bryanperkins189]

I've had the force for 2 years, love it. I want to get a mpc live 2 for portable, but if I had to pick one, I'm sticking with the force!

[@Notellu]

The Force is portable.

[@rorz999]

The Force honestly isn't that much bigger than the Live 2. The only portable aspects of the Live 2 really are the battery and speakers. But make no mistake, it is a chunky piece of gear, it's not convenient to carry around

[@jacobarmstrong5308]

Force needs some kind of tiltable screen. Feels like you have to be right on top of it to be able to see what you're doing. I'd like to at least be able to sit back in my chair lol

[@Beatz-Pocket]

I didn’t know that the Force is like a DAW. Damn. I hope very very much that the Mpc life 2 will get that kind of software update. Edit vocals and arranging beats is horrible right now. Thanks for sharing Sir.

[@Ast3rixMusic]

I would choose the force over the mpc live because of the workflow. I looked long and hard at the mpc before diving back into the force. If Akai would stabilize the firmware releases it would be the absolute best machine ever designed. It's flexibility to do both the task of sampling like an mpc and have the sequence building of Ableton there's nothing else available that can do any of this.

[@josuearesav]

It's so stand alone you can even update the software via wifi. 😉 You can hook up a Audio Interface to it for extra inputs. It's sick.

[@parismusic3590]

The 64 pads makes sense to me specially for longer samples. But you guys need to stop pumping AKAI. We can leave completely the DAW if Force provide a good spectral analyser as the F6 from waves, a tuner, a loudness and a correlation meter as in Logic, a very good buss compressor, a tonal balance as the one in izotope. Does the force has these features? Does it work perfectly with top end interfaces (RME). I have the MPC LIVE II. I only miss the features I have mentioned. Great channel bro.

[@ShaighJosephson]

Aftet trying all of them, the Akai Force checks all the boxes and is the biggest bang for the buck... You can save $500 by getting one in mint condition off of Reverb for $800...

[@PAULSANTIAGOMUSIC]

GREAT TUTORIAL ELBOWMEDIA! COUPLE OF QUESTIONS : HOW CAN I SEE THE TITLE OF THE PROJECT WHILE HAVE IT OPEN? HOW CAN IMPORT CORRECTLY MY ABLETON LIVE PROJECT ON MY MACBOOK into Akai force HOW CAN I RECORD THE LIVE SESSION LIKE LIVE SHOWS

[@LinenAssociate]

Coming to this video late but the fact that the Force still isn't supported by the MPC2 software is a huge bummer. Controller mode is just so much faster and easier for me to get what I want out of my sounds but I was hoping to use the Force clips feature instead of MPC track mutes in my workflow. Learning these machines without the software is tedious work.

[@JaySain69]

Aw yeah it’s all good 🌟

[@steviehustlingnetwork3129]

100percent FACTS!!!

[@hristodimitrov1755]

Hi cool video, for me the force wouldn't be the right one because the sampler, song mode and midi control have deteriorated significantly.

[@jeanlouiscoquin3743]

Now with the MPC keys 37 it’s time to deliver an update 😅

[@geebee44]

You bout to make me go get one 🤣

[@voodoohex72]

Here is a another plus. Doing polymeter on the force is a snap compared to the MPCs because the clips can be set very easily to odd lengths that are not 4 bars 1 bar etc. Doing that on the MPC X that I used to own, was a chore, and for techno, polymeter is very common technique. So the force was much better for me in that regard.

[@InnerflamesUnLtd]

Already had Live. This is my next purchase!! My only concern is if it’s suited more for DJs than producers? 🤔

[@marcuselbow]

I’m a Dj too but I’ve got deck players for that! I make beats on my force bro! 🙏🏾👊🏾

[@MiguelExhale]

Gracias

[@AlexJoneses]

I don't need it.... I really don't need it..... I NEEEEED IT

[@marcuselbow]

Hahahaha!! Just click the link below but DONT BUY IT! 😂

[@AlexJoneses]

@@marcuselbow aye aye captain.

[@jimbo121]

Then there's the MPC Live 2 which you can sit on the couch, no headphones, no cables and get straight to making music. Can't put a price on that.

[@Lofilegacybeats]

The speaker not that good

[@jimbo121]

@@Lofilegacybeats it’s a good full range stereo speaker monitor. Sufficient for couch jamming.

[@JamesWilliam70]

I'm waiting on the Akai Force to have a chance probability in the sequencer so I can get endless variation when running a loop. I'm sure the new MPC software now has this?

[@Void-tp4yv]

I had Mpc Live mk1 first then I had Force, never looked back. If you just chop samples and put beats behind it, you might like MPC but you want to do full production on a standalone machine, nothing beats Force on the market currently

[@BabyMoney216]

Bro come on with it waiting on the new update video for the force come on playa!

[@dimonwait9079]

100% agree

[@bobdoggy4312]

force is still better mpc xse😂😂😂

[@junglejingle7836]

I love my force but it loads project way too slow..

[@dustinvaldeztv]

Do I need to know anything about Ableton or do I need Ableton for the Force to work best for me? My first and main DAW is Logic Pro X. I used to have an Akai MPC Live 2 (and I loved it), and I liked how I could finish projects in Logic if I wanted to. Does the Akai Force work well with Logic? Like could you explode tracks in the Force like you could do in the MPC, then drag those files into Logic to finish up a project? Anybody know? Thanks in advance!

[@ckatheman]

What is that angled stand you have for the Force? One of my concerns was they put those knobs on the front (which I think is a bad design decision) - and it looks like that stand is narrow enough :)

[@b.stro.beatzdjplanb7599]

I’ve been following elbow and his Force videos for a while and about to finally pull the plug after seeing this latest updates. I want know if it’s possible to load pass songs from the MPC Live on it as well. The Force and the way tracks can be arranged look like it would spark a different direction in my production.

[@truechristianity74]

They both are good just boils down to preference

[@DJREZEREKT]

They made the ui on the MPC close to the ui on the force

[@DJREZEREKT]

So all these points are taken care of in this 3 update....except the 64 pads....but we have banks...16 x4

[@DJREZEREKT]

All they did was put all the banks on one surface...MPC is condensed

[@DJREZEREKT]

4 banks of 16 pads is 64 pads

[@deeoats2329]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@kellykel333]

I have an MPCX and I want to sync it to something I can use to arrange vocals. Is the audio arranger in the force useful for this? I bought the zoom r-20 for this purpose but it was a piece of crap so I returned it. I just want to be able to edit and arrange vocal tracks with a linear view like a daw without needing a laptop.

[@thegroove2000]

Is your music better because of it? Thats what matters.

[@313collector]

So is the Force a Sampler/ Sequencer ?????

[@marcuselbow]

Yes and Yes

[@gstandrecords9843]

The track mutes wayyyyyy better

[@mudhuthanudimmudkahagadulh4657]

All mpcs use mpc2 OS.

[@PAULSANTIAGOMUSIC]

CAN I USE MY AKAI APC 40, AS AN EXTRA CONTROLLER? THX GUYS!

[@marcuselbow]

If it has standard midi then yes. 👊🏾

[@biggiefan4life426]

🔥🔥🔥🔥👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿

[@nieprawdopodobniebystry2158]

What do you think about maschine?

[@marcuselbow]

Machine is dope! 🙏🏾👊🏾

[@nieprawdopodobniebystry2158]

@@marcuselbow better then mpc or force?

[@marcuselbow]

It depends 🤔 Stand alone no, and the Machine plus isn’t gone get it done….it’s not ready yet! So if I had to choose it would be the force. 🙏🏾👊🏾

[@nieprawdopodobniebystry2158]

@@marcuselbow unfortunately, I have mpc live 2;) I really like making sketches, but I hate the lack of a linear arrangement. The Mpc DAW is also horrible and unintuitive. Maybe I could take force or maschine ...

[@saxmidiman]

Waste of time...Do as I...KEEP BOTH!😎

[@rasheedgooden4415]

Lol that voice!

[@byrdman6752]

The only thing is the force is big as a mf not portable at all

[@davidallred991]

I don't feel it is any less portable than my MPC Live 2 (minus battery and speaker, only talking size) Compared to the MPC 1 of coarse.

[@rorz999]

The Live 2 is pretty big as well tbf

[@dannydaniel8975]

Nothing is touching Reason 12

[@marcuselbow]

🤔

[@joesan3956]

Wait, how the hell is the Live 2 not a complete standalone? 😂 go for a walk, son.

[@marcuselbow]

Now that I’m back from my walk nephew 🤨 I stand by what I said. Compared to the Force the live 2 can’t compete has for as being the “ultimate”standalone machine. The arranger gives the force the leg up! ✌🏾kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWnaXmh4nJ5_nLM