Is the Keylab Essential 61 a Good MPC One MIDI Controller?

[@mkII.]

Wow I bought a used mpc live 2 for like $860 around January 2022 and so far I've just been getting to know it. I made up my mind I needed a controller of some sort and found a used keylab 49 mk2 on Amazon (same place I got the mpc) for $260. I got it today and was just super excited but also disappointed that I couldn't use it without a PC. Wrong... Your video had me up and running with 1 cord! No power brick, no computer. Just plugged her in and boom it's alive. I'm shocked at how easy it was. Please do more videos like this. You rule.

[@FreeBeat]

That's awesome, glad I was able to help! Thanks so much for the kind words and for watching :)

[@Curious_Skeptic]

Picked up mk3 49 today for my mpc one plus. Fingures crossed.

[@mkII.]

@@Curious_Skeptic you can just plug it into the MPC and power it directly from there without a computer but then you're limited to what synths and drums are on the MPC. It's still a pretty cool setup without a PC, for laying down piano.

[@Curious_Skeptic]

@mkII. just realized i can't! Only one startard usb port on mpc. That is used for my cool little ssd drive. Akai missed the boat by not having usb c and at least another port or three! I have a port adapter, but it's 1200 miles north lol. On vacation in florida :(

[@mkII.]

@@Curious_Skeptic yeah a USB hub you'll be needing. It should work fine with that though.

[@markpringle2011]

Thanks very much for this mate. Waiting for my MPC One+ to arrive, and have been trying to decide on a keyboard. Decision made!😊

[@FreeBeat]

Have fun!

[@kendracalhoun808]

awesome. i wasn't sure if the keylab would be a good controller for my mpc but i'm sold. would love to see more keylab & mpc videos.

[@beatbass-sr9nl]

Hi, there. I'm using the Essential 61 with my MPC Live II and works fine. ;)

[@FreeBeat]

Awesome!

[@houseoflatin]

Hi, you think you will be making that further in-depth video on how to make the MPC and its Software work with the Keylab? i dont think anyone has done a proper video on it. If so, some questions would def be, how make keylab pads to correspond with the order of mpc pads. How to make all the transport buttons + mute etc , faders and as much as possible to be controlled from the Keylab. A MPC User Preset? I think it would need to be a series with segments over time. To me it fast became to much to figure out, i can the basic but specially with the user presets its not that easy. Regards/Ed

[@liotier]

I tried making my Launchkey's transport controls function with the MPC - and failed: Novation put in those buttons for use as an "Ableton Link" controller - and the MPC doesn't emulate Ableton. I hate to see transport controls on all those fancy keyboards and them remaining purely ornamental... What a waste ! Maybe a future Akai update should let the MPC emulate Ableton Link, to take advantage of all the peripherals that support it.

[@Tembalabazali]

I’m 80% convinced!! Is there any chance you can play chopped samples across the keys too?

[@desmondmooreart]

Please make a tutorial on how to utilize the midi encoders. This would make jamming with the Mpc one plug-ins more efficient for my setup. Thanks for the constructive content keep them coming. Side note any one out there using a Akai Professional Advance49 - USB Keyboard Controller with MPC- one / live?

[@noisetheorem]

I pair mine with a Arturia Keylab 49. The sliders and knobs are fantastic with any MPC.

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah, I can't wait to get mine mapped as well. Thanks for watching!

[@pierrefitch]

really i'm gonna get ARTURIA KEYLAB ESSENTIAL 49 can't wait to try it with the MPC ONE

[@rebootportland6218]

I'm convinced. The Arturia is my next purchase.

[@atlsdjred]

Got it working I had to update my Keylab and create a template. Thanks

[@FreeBeat]

Glad you got it!

[@eddiexx]

@@FreeBeat looks great but what about the transport buttons? Could you make a guide on that, in case you have managed to get it working in standalone.

[@wiggesobk]

Wow this is very helpful! I think now i know why i couldn't trigger my Roland TR-08 with the MPC One haha Great Demo btw!

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks as always!

[@pierrefitch]

i'm gonna get ARTURIA KEYLAB ESSENTIAL 49 can't wait to try it with the MPC ONE

[@FreeBeat]

Nice!

[@pierrefitch]

@@FreeBeat Arturia KeyLab MkII 61 Keyboard Controller decided to go with this one I like how it has 16 pads like the MPC One what you think? good choice

[@Sadiquecat]

6:52 holy shit someone get some water cos this dude is on fire

[@FreeBeat]

Hahaha thanks!

[@ЭлияНестерович]

And when used in such a combination, can you adjust the Arturia parameters in Akai: sensitivity, assign faders to the synthesizer parmeters in Akai?

[@FreeBeat]

No, those are adjusted in the Arturia MIDI Control Center software on your computer.

[@ringojam942]

This strategy can also work with other standalone gear! I've got it to work with my Model:Cycles, it's also a lot of fun, even if it's less powerful than the MPC One since your tracks are more limited.

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah, it seems to be such a flexible controller. The inclusion of a 5-pin output is really nice as well!

[@Abos_Studio]

Nice beat 😝

[@mgrollins]

Fun jam!

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks so much!

[@alexdawson7851]

Could you make a video on how to set up the keyboards faders and pots to control each tracks volume level and pan posision?

[@FreeBeat]

Sure! Thanks for watching :)

[@FuckingStonner420]

Hey mang!^^ Great video, thx very much for doin’ it. Two years back and still very relevant to me. Biggups! Gotta mention it eh! xD I have the exact same combo in hands at the moment and.. what about the faders?! The Idea would be to assign each fader to a track volume.. or anything else really! But see what I mean??^^’ and why not assign them knobs to specific plugin parametres?!? \m/ I’ve been fooling around about it and could not get there as of now. Clearly Something to do with the midi cc’s or what not. Midi is at times still a good learning curve on my side. I’ll keep at it in due time, until then if you figured any ways to get there would be like giant steps in my Jamflow. Keep at it homie! Much respect, Peace!’-,-*

[@Diddddu]

The keylab has a mpc template for the akai software you can just save the template for standalone.

[@FreeBeat]

Good to know, thanks!

[@Diddddu]

@@FreeBeat I meant the akai software has a template for the keylab sorry

[@eddiexx]

Hi, how do you mean "save it" for the MPC standalone? could be elaborate on it abit pls. and how and what your results have been, i too try to connect the Keylab Mk2 with the mpc and its a nightmare, to me at least. not much works really

[@The.Foolosopher]

Been thinking about doing this with the keylab 88 mk Ii and the MPC key 61 (who's keys are too small for my hand).

[@naugahydeboneproject8892]

Already got my PO-133. It’s smaller than I thought. I think my first task will be recording unaware family members and turning their idiosyncratic expressions into filthy beats!

[@FreeBeat]

Awesome!

[@S.tebban]

Owning a 88 MK II I am greatly in love with the Hammer Action keys. It is lovely to play. But when I realised there is no Sequencer, or Arpegiator... I felt like Arturia let me down there.

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah, although I totally get why they didn't include one. These controllers are supposed to be for the computer, where most of that stuff is just built in haha. Thanks for watching!

[@dickwang7429]

LOL, this channel inspired me to sell my OP-1 and get an MPC. Probably going to sell my OP-Z too and then keep the electribe 2 and put the new unofficial firmware on it.

[@FreeBeat]

I'm unfamiliar with the unofficial firmware, what features does it have?

[@RblWOACoz1111]

Could you possibly do a video with the keylab and the Deluge?

[@HoldMyBeerFam]

I have the same setup and I beg of you man to do more on this and try to explain it better for me. I also have a Nektar Pacer on the ground and I cant seem to get that to work so.

[@FreeBeat]

What issues are you having?

[@Mr.Tubster]

Thx for the upload :) Greetings cya

[@FreeBeat]

Thank you!

[@RemyJames.]

thats great ! but how to map the Qlink on the keylab ?? it's such difficult for me ! 😭

[@FreeBeat]

What do you mean?

[@RemyJames.]

Ok! I finally figured it out. There was an issue with the MIDI mapping that wouldn't learn from the keylab, but the solution was to reset the preferences on the MPC, ensure it was set to "control mode" for the MIDI of the KeyLab, and finally, it works. Thanks anyway!

[@pool_up__]

can i mute or adjusting volume of tracks with the faders on that too? or do i have to midi learn all of that?

[@FreeBeat]

It will work but you'll have to MIDI learn it.

[@mont-doggBeats]

Does chord mode and scale work in standalone?

[@atlsdjred]

I could not get my Arturia to do that - Seperate the drum pad for the piano

[@kernelpaniiic]

Nice! Can you split the keyboard to have, let’s say, lower octaves playing a bass synth on channel 1 and higher octaves playing a piano synth on channel 2 ?

[@limoizuku]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXLVeJmJiq6skNk I hope that helps, min 7:35 I think it will resolve your doubts!

[@kernelpaniiic]

Thank you. So apparently the Keylab essential can’t split by itself (unlike the MKII which can) so one would have to use the trick explained in the video : switching MIDI channels.

[@FreeBeat]

I'm glad you asked this question, I had no clue of the answer so I learned something too haha.

[@obatalamusic]

Thanks for sharing. Great! I have one problem thoug, which I hope that you can solve. When I record on my MPC one, the "track stripes" end up being longer than I play ( I do not know if what I write makes sense?). This means that my tones played on my Arturia, won't stop when I lift my hands off the keys.

[@nap41123]

Amazing video man. 👏👏 Do you think the akai mpk mini play would do the same thing? Like keys on one port and the pads on other?

[@takeiteasy6346]

How can we make it so the pads on our midi controller change the track itself, since I would rather use the mpc for drums anyway?

[@FreeBeat]

I'm not exactly sure how to do it, but it should be possible given both devices flexibility with MIDI assignments.

[@bdale677]

how do you use the keyboard loops on the mpc one?please

[@DefconUnicorn]

You might consider the keystep 37 pretty cheap has aftertouch. Its not like you need the pads really is it :D

[@FreeBeat]

Yes, I really like using the key step 37 with the MPC one as well. However, having the larger keys, not to mention 61 of them, plus all of the faders, knobs, and extra controls is really nice. Thanks for watching!

[@mixedbyv]

@@FreeBeat do you know if you have the keystep, you can sync the mpc sequencer and the keystep sequencer?

[@kennethbeavers6903]

@Free Beat can you do one note chords ?

[@agensop]

off topic but have you ever used the zoom as an usb audio interface for the mpc one? ive been searching for weeks and cant find an answer. everyone on youtube seem to have the dang tascam model 12 or 16 lol

[@FreeBeat]

I've tried it and it works just fine. That's not really my field of expertise though so I chose not to make a video on it, sorry!

[@agensop]

@@FreeBeat no problem thank you, i just needed to verify it worked because thats the route im looking at taking. i really want the L8 because its battery powered. i use a wheelchair primarily so the more wires i can get rid of the better. Not having to deal with power cables has been my goal in most of my setup. Most of my stuff i can power with a usb power pack or has an internal battery.

[@SonicVibe]

Been pairing mine with the keystep but wonder if the 37 or pro or this keyboard 🎹 give me more octaves worth it but yeah

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah it really depends on what you're after. The key step range offers after touch and the built-in sequencer, whereas the keylab is more of a traditional compositional device I think.

[@CEF8181]

Thank you for the video. Is it possible to use the encoders to control q-link functions?

[@HarryLoveTV]

You can assign anything to anywhere using midi learn on the mpc, it just takes a minute to get used to

[@FreeBeat]

Absolutely :)

[@Ronald-Reggae]

@@FreeBeat can you map all 16 q-links to the 8 rotery encoders via banks or the likes?

[@Auskee]

So this works with my Mpc daw?

[@FreeBeat]

Yes it should work. It has several custom user templates so you can make one specifically for the MPC software :)

[@emiliolorenzini8050]

I tried to use my my mkii 61 keys with the MPC beats, but couldn’t find a way to midi learn or map faders and knobs. The MPC Beas does not have mkii among the list. Pleeease do a video on how to map user settings for the DAW. ( counting the days to receive the MPC one)

[@Abos_Studio]

He cold lol

[@markhenke2709]

It is not for one main reason no MMC Transport... seems pretty basic! and the mappings will take you hours one key or button at a time per track!

[@shyguymuzik9095]

Mpc keys