Akai Force Review Part Two (After Having One Week)

[@digitaldiezel5870]

Great Review! 👍🏾 If you select the headphones 🎧 you can sample each clip by touching it! Either way! SUPER FANTASTIC job bro thanks!! I love the Force so far!! I run into little things that could be tweaked but non of them stop me from making music. Most of the time I just need to figure the right thing to do.

[@MatthewStratton]

awe, you have to select headphones first. I keep tapping the screen and not hearing anything. I will have to try it when I get home. Like I say, I still have a lot to learn.

[@PoliPopo]

For a new product it's pretty awesome can't wait for the update it's going to be even more awesome LoL

[@rwfthesr]

Bring vocals and guitars in as a sample which time is 15:59. That should be enough for a solo.

[@ranzee]

Hey Matthew, I've really been enjoying these videos about the Akai Force from you. From one KZbinr to another, I can understand how much effort you've put into this. Well done mate, and keep up the great work :)

[@MatthewStratton]

Thanks for this. Glad you can appreciate the effort, for the effort is indeed great. You have some quality content on your channel as well. 👍

[@TeleporterM11]

Got to love that data dial

[@MatthewStratton]

🔥

[@rwfthesr]

Change scenes with midi foot controller. Check with Akai for the c Midi command.

[@leoopokat8235]

Just returned mine and menu diving was the deal breaker for me your video is gr8

[@MatthewStratton]

It's not going to be for everyone. I tell people that about the MPC LIVE all the time. Thanks for your comment.

[@FlippDurch]

I come from live and menudiving is a lot less now. I think having lots of features makes it just necessary. Better having something in a menu instead of not having it. The basic workflow is accessible by buttons. Also a Touchscreen is more like interchangeable buttons. I also own a MC909 and ok it's old but also complicated in some ways.

[@samprock]

Will hold on it until promised Live integration will come. I am slo institutionalized on Ableton, so consider Force as extra if can play standalone connected to Moog (for more old-school feel) .... if it covers Live as good as Push

[@FlippDurch]

@@samprock If you just want to stay on live I think 1500 bucks ist just a lot. Yes you will be able to export to live but I think you will have audio clips then. Also just as controller for live it makes not as much sense as push. It's good if you like live and just want to get away from your pc and if you don't need any vsts.

[@ElectronisoundsAudio]

Keep it up, Bro! 😀 👊 Hey - @10:00 where you are scrolling in the PAD MIXER window and having the issue of the volumes changing. I had the same issue and found that if you just hold the TOP part of that screen instead when you select to drag, then you no longer get the volume changes by accident. I.E. put your finger on TOP where it says the PAD number, just above the mixer part itself. you can drag from there, and won't change the volume by accident. Awww Yeah! 🤗😁👊

[@MatthewStratton]

Nice. Thanks for the tip. Works great.

[@ElectronisoundsAudio]

@@MatthewStratton Glad to help - Your videos have helped me get started with the Force so much quicker! Much appreciated! 😀 👊 I finally posted a live jam with it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6WZZKWdgaiIh7M

[@MatthewStratton]

Nice man, thanks for the support and comments. I just checked out your video, Looks like you are having no issues making music with the Force. 👍

[@ElectronisoundsAudio]

@@MatthewStratton Thanks, Bro! 🤗😁👊

[@hosjmanne]

I just sold my mpc live, bought the force. And so far i love it!!! The only thing its new to me is the crossfader. Could you make a vid about that?

[@MatthewStratton]

It may take a while for me to do it, but I can add it to the list.

[@FlippDurch]

Thanks... I have the machine since yesterday and also have push. One thing is you have to learn the 2 Regions on this machine are independent. It's hard to get into my brain... But I think in the end it's good as it is. Like it a lot so far...

[@MatthewStratton]

Yeah. It is a good feature as it enables you to do more. But, it is taking some getting use to.

[@Ast3rixMusic]

11:21 I noticed that as well and thought it had something to do with my drive and it having resource issues with accessing data from it. I am not a performer so not having the song mode/ arranger is killing me. I am honestly thinking about returning it because the cost doesn’t match the available features at this point. Maybe in two years after dev has worked through the list of missing features that need to be ported over from the live.

[@MatthewStratton]

Yeah, there are definitely missing features on here that are on the MPC LIVE. There are a few I haven't found yet, but there are a ton missing for sure. I am crossing my fingers that there will be major updates in the coming months. My biggest gripe is the lack of song mode and .wav export. But, there are other workflow issues too, that seems like it should be easy for them to port. Akai can add a ton of edit options in the clip/event edit window for example.

[@Ast3rixMusic]

Matthew Stratton well I have new issues with the use of midi. I added a euro rack unit last night and so far this has been a really ruff ride. I can’t get the cv to work which is me I know... I can’t get the machine to function in note mode and be able to record the audio of the back port where I plugged in the unit. So it’s like I can’t do two operations concurrently so I can clip record my outboard rack device that’s being played from the machine. I will post a video on this in a few days. I was expecting to be able to clip record the audio of my performances with the external midi driven device, but it doesn’t look like I can do that.

[@lukemiles1711]

Hej, do you still have your Force? How about a new updated review after 1 year and the Arranger? Love your vidz, thanks for all the help!

[@MatthewStratton]

Thanks. If Akai actually releases the arranger I will consider an update.

[@lukemiles1711]

I've seen some videos online with the arranger, but bad quality. Thanks for the super fast reply

[@MatthewStratton]

@@lukemiles1711 If users other than Akai are sharing the video, then it is a Beta release and they are breaking their agreement with Akai to keep it a secret. If it is the Naam 2020 video, that release isn't out yet. I don't work for Akai so I don't have the permission to share the arranger view.

[@lukemiles1711]

@@MatthewStratton There is a 3min video with Nick from NAMM 2020 explaining the arranger, I think that's official. No worries, whenever you bring it out I'll check it out! Just ordered mine and learning from your videos.

[@pinkfreund2290]

The AKAI Professional APC40 Ableton Controller has FS1 and FS2 inputs. Probably for a few foot switches. You might be able to find one on ebay. If it works for you post a review please. Thanks for the video. This again, was very helpful!!

[@psience_1]

Thanks for your appraisal.

[@MatthewStratton]

Thanks for the comment.

[@V4D2]

hey Mathew, Thanks for this video. it’s covering the main things i intend to using the Force, for. it’s been the best video i’ve seen talking about the basic starting approach to the device...and specially NOT focusing on sampling, hip-hop, or electrónica . it’s tough to find ppl approaching the AKAIs for classic guitar based songwriting, and looping. So.. two things: 1. Do you confirm the lack of overdubbing option on the grid view? (major disappointment) 2. Da you confirm the lack of possibility to connecting a MIDI foot controller/switch, in order to activate and select tracks without needing to ‘drop’ the guitar ? (i find this pretty odd. i’m sure there’s a way to do it.) thanks again ;)

[@samprock]

It connect to midi controller, and even takes midi from hardware Moog, but I agree very much - assigning function to triggering stuff is needed

[@MatthewStratton]

Have you figured out how to assign CC values from encoders?

[@alexmax9832]

Matthew, another great review. But: there's not AUTOSAMPLER function, like in MPC?

[@MatthewStratton]

Yes, there is an auto sample feature in the sampler, just like the MPC.

[@mojodrum3215]

Hey Matthew could you maybe do a video explaining and showing some examples for the non keyboard player how the features help create good sounding synth and bass patterns (clips). I have always struggled with this on my devices.

[@samprock]

Force is the best on that! I can’t do vids, but hope Matthew will do. Scales and progression is life saver. Sorting out pads in a way non-Pro can play efficiently. Raw can represent note in one octave, and even more than Push 2 you can have guitar arranged layout :)

[@mojodrum3215]

@@samprock Not sure if Matthew will do a video but this will determine if l get one :)

[@samprock]

Hope Matt would not mind a ref. Check loopop interview with one of the Akai dudes. Around 11th minute. I was sold on that one too, and few too many other things. Ultimate :) Sorry mate, your wallet gonna get in trouble :P

[@mojodrum3215]

@@samprock lol ya l have watched that l will have to watch it again and my wallet is use to it.

[@MatthewStratton]

Hey, I am digging into the notes mode now. Trying to wrap my head around it. It seems rather deep, but I think once you understand a couple things about it, it might help you come up with different ideas simply. Give me a few, I will do a video. I will check out the loopop interview too.

[@CLyde285]

LOL as soon as I tap the sample button I didn’t get that screen that you did

[@DarthLordRaven]

I actually saw that you have not removed the clean film “the sticky piece over the screen” screen protector. Will it help to get better responsiveness If you remove it?, normally it would do, i think...... btw Thanks for ur videos so far..

[@MatthewStratton]

Yeah. It probably would help. It's not really a big deal to me though, seems like the same screen as on live and I didn't take the screen film off of that. I move so much equipment around a small space all the time I'm paranoid to take it off.

[@LoveMeBack]

Can’t you audition slices by press and hold on the display?

[@digitaldiezel5870]

Ryan Meursing YES! You certainly can 😊

[@elvinlewis4233]

Can you use the mpc live with the Force, and is there any advantage to that work flow?

[@eddiesinfin3583]

Have they added the midi controller mapping yet?

[@MatthewStratton]

Not yet.

[@void_division]

Thankyou for your in depth videos(I have been asking around with no response as of yet)Can the force playback a scene of 8 song length WAVS around 6 minutes or so per track? I want to be able to have one clip as KICK, then snare,Hats/Crashes/Rides, Perc, Synths, FX, Samples, sort of a backing track player that is far more open ended. I would treat a Scene as an individual song in a setlist and travel down the scenes of that setlist within a project. I thought it a shame when I found that you cannot import MIDI into a clip, it would have been great to use with an external desktop type synth live. The Cymatic Audio LP-16 is great but can't do anything other than playback.

[@stupidchannelbs]

You can have 8 audio tracks in one scene. You can have as many scenes as the you can load into memory. So you can have 8 audio track wavs in one scene, 8 different wavs in another scene and so on and so on. You can also just put all the wavs in a program and have 64 wavs in one program on one track x 120 tracks per 1 scene. Midi clips have to be in .mpcpattern format so midi clips need to be converted in the mpc software or hardware.

[@stupidchannelbs]

Audio tracks are more useful for live input or re sampling since you are limited to 8 per scene. There is extra functionality in the audio track clips as you can cut and move regions around, warp each region differently , reverse regions, cross fade regions, tune regions etc etc. You can do all kinds of mangling in audio clips. But if you are just playing back audio files, programs give you more flexibility.

[@theacan565]

This is really an issue... 3:36 ......is still the thing so, that you can´t record your instrument on the one of the clip??....because there is no countdown or recording a way to launch the record from a pedal??. This is ridiculous for live looping. Thats why in the demos they edit the waveform after recording deleting the all silence of the recording that comes from taking away your hand form record button to your guitar or keyboard. That has no sense.

[@theacan565]

And also for stop the record?? Can´t you give the clip a specific lengh so it stops alone??

[@theacan565]

What about MPC LIVE..... you have the same issue to record audio for live looping??

[@CaseJams]

13:22 shows a countdown

[@swoolf1431]

Matthew will the force make a great addition to the Live? Already have the Live and wondering if the force is worth adding? The benefit of having both? Thanks

[@MatthewStratton]

I'm not sure yet. Still wrapping my brain around it. It seems like it might be overkill to have both. I mean, if you think you are going to use all those pads in notes mode, and want to do performances, maybe? I wouldn't underestimate the LIVE though, especially if you have one and understand the workflow.

[@swoolf1431]

Thanks for the reply

[@swoolf1431]

Matthew Stratton I went ahead and bought the force. Looked too fun to pass by. I'll be following along w you Thanks for your vids!

[@CLyde285]

I’m having so many problems with this box bought it a week ago and still don’t know how to tap my drums in without the notes going into the step sequencer. Samplings a nightmare because every time I turn off the sampler it doesn’t let me know that what I just recorded or where it’s going or if it even went into my device. Lastly yeah every time I pull up the steps sequencer for a kit it always gives me like half as many pads and it just bothers the fuck out of me because I absolutely don’t understand why it’s doing it

[@kinghustlermusic]

It’s still all about the MPC X

[@MyAlteredSoul]

Doesn't have Auto sample function like the MPC live? How does Lanes Mode work on the pads?

[@MatthewStratton]

It has an auto sample function located in the sampler mode. Haven't used lanes yet.

[@nucentury08]

It’s all been updated but I just realize how old this video is.

[@MatthewStratton]

The Force was only out 1 week when I did this video. The new update that will hopefully soon be out will change a lot of things.

[@MarcCaryMusic]

Hi Mathew, Can you test an external keyboard routed to an external synth? I am experiencing the pitch wheel sticking at -a semitone once I use the pitch wheel. Thanks in advance.

[@Ajonra]

Any idea why I’m clicking one clip and it’s launching multiple clips. And the clips aren’t in the same scene. It seems to be launching the most recent clips played. Which is cool i guess but how do i stop it?

[@MatthewStratton]

Press stop all at the far bottom right. It will disarm all clips from playing. Then you can launch the clips you want.

[@Ajonra]

Matthew Stratton does the force have 16 levels?

[@MatthewStratton]

I haven't seen 16 levels yet.

[@Ajonra]

Matthew Stratton I don’t think it’s there. The workaround I did was put the kick sample in a key group.

[@samprock]

Matthew and guys, when you touch 8 encoders knobsdo they make noise? I mean knobs are solid, but seems made metal, so the noise. I wonder if my grounding is better it will go away? But it makes noise for me if Force in any random (grounded) outlet ina House, not connected to nothing else (pc, controller, speakers)

[@MatthewStratton]

I haven't noticed any noise.

[@johnnyparker2128]

The removal of the pad tap is pissing me off.

[@MatthewStratton]

I hear you. You aren't the only one.

[@dylanwillrett7183]

When I hit shift+Rec to try and set the fixed record (bar) length, I only get the Automation, and Record Launch options. What am I doing wrong? I haven't had a chance to firmware update (no pc), was this an update feature? I can hit Shift+Length (bottom row) to set clip length defaults but doesnt work every time, I have to keep tweaking and making new clips 😭

[@MatthewStratton]

The shift + rec feature is part of the 3.0.1 update. You can see the list of changes in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5PFfqumd9-laKs

[@dylanwillrett7183]

@@MatthewStratton thanks. I'm gonna get that up to date tomorrow

[@pavelfajtfree]

Hello Matthew, deep knowledge about this Force. Thank you. I have question: It is very difficult to find, if this peace of gear can work in odd Time Signature, like 7/8 but also 15/16 or even 31/8...or whatever. I did not find this in the manual. Thank you for your comment

[@MatthewStratton]

Hello. 4/4 I default. The akai mpc can have multiple time signatures in a sequence so maybe in the future it will be possible. c.getsatisfaction.com/akai_professional/topics/akai-force-3-4-time-signature

[@pavelfajtfree]

I worried that this is it. Just to be clear. There is no possibility to use lets say 7/8 project time signature? No even triplets? I come from DAW and there is standard to choose in each "project/song" Time signature (for the gridd also) and the tempo. I understand that Force has different philosophy, but just 4/4 is too big limitation. Or?

[@MatthewStratton]

@@pavelfajtfree 4/4 only.

[@pus-e-catmeaow4171]

Not got mine yet (UK has to wait) - but got a lot from your video. Absence of scene cueing is a good point and a serious omission - but I think I've got a solution: 1. put it on the floor. 2. Take your shoes and socks off. 3. . . You're ahead of me.

[@ChristianTaylorX]

Ableton Push 2 or Akai Force hhhhmmmm

[@CaseJams]

I just chose akai force vs updating to push 2 since force can now export to ableton. It’s the standalone jamming operation that tilted it for me. On the computer I keep diving and tweaking too much. I’m hoping jamming and creating with force as standalone, with its limitations will lead to some creative possibilities.