NEW Flex Beat Standalone: An ALMOST Perfect Plug In // AKAI MPC

[@treschlet]

I know it's been a year but just posting this in case anyone is looking at this video: You can MIDI map controls to trigger the patterns. In fact, it's just one CC control with different values for the different patterns. So you could have a MIDI controller set with buttons to sent specific values, or you could just map it to a knob and scrub through the different patterns with a twist

[@0mgwtfsrsly]

That's funny I literally just thought that and came here to find this comment. I saw it on BeatHume, he's worth looking up!

[@MrCosmicVictory]

I'm doing my research since it's on sale for $30 (black Friday). This video makes great points, but I was already hoping flex beat actually didn't work on the pads, incase I wanted to trigger samples while keeping flex beat open. But by the comments, it seems they don't update the efx anyhows. And by the comments, you can midi map flexbeat to knobs or external controllers. And can also record flexbeat by enabling write automation. im looking into getting this to not need my sp404 for efx as much. he brings up a great point that you cant just trigger it anytime, it goes in sync so youll get just the tail end of the effect if you trigger it close to the end of a bar. sooo... $30 worth it? 🤔

[@marcusai210]

Same reason I’m rewatching a year later too

[@boomboombaby9140]

@@MrCosmicVictoryit’s a waste of 30 dollars , I want different effects in certain parts . Example intro not the entire beat the effects will stay on even if you create different sequences it will remain and if you turn it off it will no longer be on your intro 😢😢😢 even free iOS. Garbage band allow you to put different effects throughout your beat .

[@remyvegamedia]

@@boomboombaby9140You can automate it per sequence per track, on Submix, or master track, or if you do an entire arrangement in 3.0 you can automate it just for the section you want it.

[@TheBiggerNoise]

In programming land we have a saying. “There are languages people bitch about and there are languages that nobody uses”. If you don’t have criticisms of gear you use, you’re probably not actually using it.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

I loved that! I’m stealing it😜 thanks for watching my friend!

[@wyzpro305]

Great points, having the pads control the effects is a no brainer i hope they fix this in an update.

[@headfullofhammers]

All of your suggestions are right on and I'm shocked that they aren't implemented already. It seems these companies always want to get a release out and expect folks to wait for a firmware update. Not being able to use the pads is rather insane.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Yeah I would hope the pads are in somewhere in a future update! Thanks for watching my friend! See you at the Discord

[@DJ_Beatmensch]

@@MidlifeSynthesist Are the pads usable now, 8 month later?

[@BenBassist22]

That was my first wish when I saw stand alone Flex beat wanting to use the pads!

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Yesss!! Give us the pads!

[@offthisworld]

No 4 : automation can be recorded, but you should switch on the automation 'WRITE'. Next question! :)

[@crazzylee]

That's funny the features that you wish for I had thought they were most certainly there.

[@jddj4179]

You can use the read/write function to record on a track instead of automation.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Can you expand on that explanation please? I’d love to know more about that🤟🏻 thanks for watching my friend!

[@jddj4179]

@@MidlifeSynthesist Enable write mode on a track, then open Flex Beat, press play and hit the buttons. When you're done, change track back to read. Fine tune the automation in edit window.

[@EnochLight]

@@jddj4179 - came here to say this exact thing. Surprised he didn’t know about the Read/Write automation button - literally all effects can be automated. He’s been missing out! #read_manuals_people

[@billiedoesbeats]

Is that the green button that turns red?

[@jddj4179]

@@billiedoesbeats Yes.

[@dustyaudio]

Seems to be only for 4/4 sequences 😢 I thought it would be more….. flexible?

[@Rightly_Divided]

That is my gripe

[@Groucho_Sparkz]

Being able to apply to master tracks would be nice too, great video

[@famosguider205]

Great insights and brief tutorial. I agree with some of your suggestions; however, 1. I believe automation is the best way to “record” switching FX on the fly otherwise we could do it with other FX already. I haven’t tried it yet, but, I think if you are in the Flex Beat screen, you can automate the switching. 2. For pads acting to activate the grid of FX, on the MPC X, a solution suggestion maybe we should be able to toggle the function button and for everyone else, maybe add a function button on the screen to use the pads. 3. I am 100% with you on the retrigger! It’s very intuitive to use and natural for people who already use it elsewhere. 4. Again, I completely agree with not having to sacrifice pad #1 for,one shots. Thanks a bunch for this video. You have inspired me to run to my MPC X SE right now to play!

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Thanks for watching and for providing great counterpoints! See you soon my friend!

[@lindasson]

I was actually getting frustrated with tapping the touch screen, and I also hope Akai would update it to the pads. Very VERY cool plug in, but I'm good with my MPC/SP-404MK2 connection. Great video bro!🙏🏾✊🏾💚

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Hey dude! Always a pleasure to see you here! Yeah, though I’m digging the Flexbeat, the mpc+sp404 combo is the truth! See you soon!

[@billiedoesbeats]

Small world, lol. I wish I could play it on the pads too. It's a great plugin though tbh it adds a lot of possibilities. Love using it with more experimental beats, house type things. I'm not great at making decisions with variations so this helps.

[@GoldToni-z2t]

any news on your reasonable requests?

[@NimbleX-MC]

I do hope the Flex beat is improved. However I do have to say AKAI MPC X is just an awesome instrument with so many options. It is my favorite instrument by far.

[@maschinelab8598]

It is almost BF and there is a deal on this. So I came to YT to see if it is suitable for my needs. You just answered all my questions with your caveats. No exterior audio and no pads to trigger the fx are a no no for me. Thx

[@dudeontour]

not one of these were addressed huh?

[@weyoun6535]

As far as I know, Air release instruments and move on, I don’t think any of the MPC releases have ever had any updated features. OPX-4 seriously needs some fine control, Fabric really needs a global lock to stop all the presets using aftertouch for vibrato. Every instrument has some deficiencies and it seems there is no interest in improving them unfortunately. If you look at how long they left their older software, it seems it is a long standing philosophy. I contacted support about the lack of fine control in OPX-4 especially in the VST/AU version and the response was to downgrade my operating system to Monterey, they don’t support later. I was pretty shocked by that especially as it would not solve the problem in any way. So definitely buy these plugins with that in mind, it’s unlikely they will be developed further imo unless the company changes it’s way of working.

[@Juhh356]

You can assign a q-link knob to the dry/wet slider and set it to return back to 0% as soon as you release the knob. That way you can have a looped effect (or multiple) and trigger it with the q link knob for a better feel for live performances.

[@Mista808]

I need recommendations on some MUST HAVE plugins to purchase for my MPC X! I know for sure I need a nice piano, some guitars etc. And apparently I need Flex Beat too! Can someone please point me to an MPC X online store or something that's best to find plugins?

[@slickeight]

You make excellent points...thankyou...question what kind of watch is that and where can it be purchased?

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Thank you for watching my friend! Here´s a link to my watch on Amazon if you´d like to check it out: amzn.to/3MULLL9 (it´s an affiliate link, so if you buy it, it doesn´t add any cost to you but I get a small commission for the purchase and aside from getting a nice watch, you help out the channel alot! Thanks!)

[@daweedrive]

Hi guys PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME i’ve payed the flex beat but i can’t install it on the mpc one How!!

[@PedroAnastazi]

Soooo it's a hybrid of isotopes breaktweaker & stutter edit that needs a bit of an update to include a latch & pad lock to stop the pad reset. Better still would be a pad launch step sequencer... If ur looking for these features the Mc707 scatter does all this.. & CAN scatter ALL signals, internal or external even wen using it as an interface & spitting out ur DAWs output... Oh & if u want an even more advanced variation of this, the Yamaha RS7000 aX000 series has "loop remix" which is literally ReCycle in a box...

[@babysunn2]

Your Assessment's Are Worthy. "It's Great" But With Needed Room To Grow in Area's You've Stated.

[@jKHAHN215PA]

11:40 I’m not mad at any of them suggestions.. at $80 tho NO THNX!!

[@mr.DorianJames]

100% with all your suggestions. The screen on the x is bigger than my MPC live so it's not as accurate. I'd love to use the pads. I'm not sure how much I'm going to use the flex beat because of the issues you've stated.

[@eliaszerano3510]

Is Flexbeat also available for the Force? please?

[@WhileWeWereSleeping]

Would be good to know from Akai what limitations are restricted by hardware. Processing external audio would be what would justify a purchase for me. but all the other points are spot on recording automation using the pads so obvious. Looks fun though.

[@josephs2791]

I agree 100 percent with shet baby!

[@stunami979]

Buying a Moog sub37 just to be in the background looks so effective. Who cares you could power a small country with all that electricity? (Just kidding love your vids) 🤪

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Dad? 😜thanks for watching!!

[@stunami979]

@@MidlifeSynthesist lmao

[@LaurentDiscShowMan]

JAJAJAJAJAA...JAJAJAJAA....ESTA BIEN EL PLUGIN..NO NOS SALGAMOS MUCHO DE LO QUE ES LA MUSICA..ENTERAROS BIEN DE LAS COSAS QUE OS LAS ESTOY EXPLICANDO..BIEN ANIMO Y VAYAMOS CON ALEGRIAS..VERY GOOD...

[@krazywabbit]

No skin in the Akai game but skin in the algorithm game. Hope they listen!

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Lol! Always appreciate your input brother!! See you on the Discord

[@YloDan]

Hi, I read in some forum that flex beat doesn't work well when the MPC receives an external MIDI clock, can you confirm this?

[@artephank]

Wait? It doesn’t record automation and you cannot put it on audiotrack as insert (to process external audio?) it sounds so wrong - they actually had to do additional work to forbid those two options.

[@DawlessHouseMusic]

Why can't we just call this, "Scatter for MPC"?

[@BIGLARRY100]

I just assumed by looking at it tht the pads would be triggers. I mean its Akai's #1 hallmark as a company. The screen even lays out 16 virtual pads. No way they missed this! It has to be something w/ it operating like any audio fx plugin. It inserts like a reverb for example. It must be something w/ the way the siftware code is written that they cant get around. Hopefully they figure it out. It's a night & day difference for it.

[@christopherwalker3285]

Arwhhh... you stopped a purchase, it would of been bought if it could effect an incoming audio signal. Thank you

[@simcax6087]

Yeah, all the other effects can be applied to incoming audio, except this one. I don't know how to get my money back.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

I’m hopeful they can add that in! Cheers!

[@Joel-re1jz]

I think you should raise your chair. Hard to make beats when elbows area lower than the pads.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Lol, you are absolutely right👍🏼 No worries though, I just do that to film the videos or else I get in the way of camera 2😜 rest if the time the seat is up, gotta take care of those joints! thank you for watching my friend!

[@Joel-re1jz]

The bulkiness of the MPC's on a desk don't help either. I would love to have a desk that made the MPC flush with the top.@@MidlifeSynthesist

[@kcahdp]

That's GrossBeat from FL Studio!)))