MPC KEY 61 isn’t Perfect.. but it’s close
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 14 окт 2023
- I’ve been spending more time with the AKAI MPC KEY 61 and I gotta say it… this thing rules. Today I talk more about my feelings on the device, and walkthrough a beat I made this week. Also apologies for the off notes on the second bass, I used 16 levels and didn’t get the pitches right. In hindsight I should have just loaded the sample into a new key group and played that way.
Thanks to Zzounds for sending over the MPC! If you’re already looking to get one, using the link below will give me a percentage commission. If you’re not interested in one, do not use the link, save that money boss!
www.zzounds.com/a--3981117/it...
My album: dylanparis.bandcamp.com/album...
Album is also on Spotify, Apple Music, and basically everywhere you can buy or stream.
MY GEAR (affiliate links):
Main Mirrorless Camera: amzn.to/3ApKw1a
Secondary Camera: amzn.to/3ybdQFW
Main editing machine (m2 iPad Pro): amzn.to/45T6rdR
Audio Recorder: amzn.to/3nEVd8n
Gear Stands: amzn.to/3ah26tv
#mpckey61 #dawless #musicproduction
the collaboration that needs to happen is the Reason Rack support on the MPC platform, it's much more prepared for that space than the NI library.
You put that together very well
man, how did I not know about your channel? It's so mint! Keep up the good work. I see you going far in this producer niche here on youtube!
Aw man thanks for the kind words! Appreciate you watching 🙏
good breakdown.... thinking about the MPC KEY 37 portable for travel etc
Def perfect to me! All in one beast! 🔥🔥🔥
Great review. Thank you! I am a new MPC 61 user. I am curious about the 'User-Made Expansions' that you mentioned. I would like to participate in sharing the ones I am making and hearing what other creative folks are doing. Awesome work!
Thank you! The custom expansions are really special, I want to dive in more and find new ones and how to make them
The most fun I’ve ever had with a keyboard is this one!
Agreed!
I really would like to add the 61 Key, but I already have the One Retro and no space for another synth, especially a 61 key. Hopefully they might make a 49 Key version in the future. As always Dylan, an excellent real world review and opinion.
Thank you! If you’ve got the One Retro I’d say just get a nice midi controller if you want keys. It’s not a 1:1 recreation but the One has more buttons so it’s better in some ways too!
I love it
I own an MPC Key 61 and I sometimes supplement the built in voices with other hardware. Most frequently, I use a Roland Integra-7. Key 61 has a ton and the Integra-7 has even more. The built in ones could be better but hardware and VSTs can make up the difference.
that's a cool setup!
so basically the MPC Keys is irrelevant.
I love my MPC Key 61😢❤
It’s a great machine!
I love mine too just wish I could spend more time with it.
May Yahweh bless you brother 🙏 thank you for the video we love you stay blessed brother and inspired 🙏
thank you kindly I appreciate it
Great 👍 video 📹🔥🎶🎵🎹🎧 and view 😎
Thank you! 😎🙏🙌
Did they manage to lower patch loading times? I need to switch patches fast in live environments, which is/was a problem with this key 61.
One thing that is overlooked often on the MPC is the fact that you can plug in an external audio interface to have additional inputs/outputs. Thats pretty handy. You can either feed multiple inputs and you can separate the tracks outputs to mix them externally :D Thats a huge pro IMO
I think this gets overlooked because of how narrow the range of interfaces are that support it. I have never had an interface work with this feature sadly.
@@DylanParisMusic Actually any Linux compatible audio interface (or REAL USB compliant) will work. Tascam, RME, Presonus and a bunch of others work. I got a Toscam and it works great. Its also easier to sample multiple synths in the studio without moving cables.....
@benoitpiret9065 I believe the limitation is the Mpcs only support 44khz for the interface so a fair number don’t work but I could be wrong. That said my audient works with everything else
@@DylanParisMusic mmmm I know I went through the problem with the force. I had a QSC. Which is said compliant but isn’t. They don’t have Linux support. That’s why I switched to the tascam which supports 96khz
MPC OS is Linux
I was gonna try to get a used Korg Kronos and an Akai MPC Live II, but when I saw this keyboard I fell in love because it would be everything I need in one unit!
However, I was put off by the fact that everyone said that this doesn't have any woodwinds or ethnic instruments, which are CRUCIAL to the type of music I make. Such a bummer :-(
I have my mpc keys for a couple weeks now, today I was testing it with my hydrasynth keyboard and I'm glad to say that mpc records and plays the midi with all the poly aftertouch nuances. polyphonic aftertouch works incredible with pads and orchestral instruments like strings, brass etc. I'm happy with the mpc keys as it is, but it would be the ultimate beast for me if it had poly-at.
Since fatar and medeli (hydrasynth) build poly-at keyboards now, there will be many more new synths with this option.
Agreed! Polyphonic AT and MPE capabilities are a must have for all future devices like this
I’m really glad Akai did the MPC Key, because it’s almost what I would love for myself, except that I’m a NI Maschine user and I had so much hope for the new Keyboard Kontrol mk3, but they didn’t put any faders or pads on it… which is a huge shame. I’m still hoping for a NI keyboard controller that would have pads, knobs, faders and maybe even touchscreen…. One can only hope :)
I'll honestly be surprised if they add those to a keyboard, although they've gotten quite a bit of feedback from the Mk3 launch so maybe? It would be quite a departure from basically anything else they've done, but could be cool!
Personally I'd love a combination maschine plus / kontrol mk3 keyboard controller in both controller or standalone mode. I have no clue if that's gonna happen but it would be sweet!
then just buy an Akai controller or Auturia but dont waste on on the keys.
AKAI MPC KEY 61
❤😢 EDWARD I want to so bad
its cool keep it... but... um .. yeah .. keep it... enjoy it man ...
How does the MPC Key 61 compare to a Machine + and a Native M61 keyboard. I now the later is more costly but I want to focus on flexibility and functionality.
Had the first live, the MPC one, and the keys I have now. My only gripe is wanting a Roland style 16 step sequencer instead of the non intuitive pad one they use. For sequencing synths and drums that way is different and fun sometimes. I’m a Roland guy at heart but their hardware sucks.
That would be cool if it's something they could add in software, obviously not likely to be added via hardware
I ordered this synth.. wonder if it can be integrated with the MPC One..
It might be redundant cause it’s basically a more powerful MPC one with keyboard but you could probably midi sync them and run audio from the one into the key
Yo a random question,
On the MPC Key 61, is it possible for example to pick a vocal one shot/chop, and use the keys to pitch it to the note you are pressing and record that in to for example the track you are making? If that is an option im 100% buying it, i also want to use the keys to chop different parts from the sample
Yep! This would be a key group program with a single sample.
For drums you’d slice a sample to a drum group and then you could play the drum group with the keys. I’m 99 percent sure that’s true and I’ve done it but a little hazy
@@DylanParisMusic aight thx! And 1 more thing, so i have some custom drum sounds that i made on my pc, is it also possible to import them into he MPC and use them?
@shakrabeats yep! It’s got a hard drive or you can use usb drives or a sata ssd to install your own samples and load them up into key groups or drum groups
@@DylanParisMusic nice, i saw that there is a MPC Key 37 coming, there are leaks and even pictures. I think i'm going to buy it when it releases. Thx for the fast replies
hi, good video. can you do the same stuff on here in the MPC 37?
Almost all of it! The touch strip is not on the 37 I think, and the 37 has 2 gigs of ram vs 4, and doesn’t include all of the plugins
I really dig the MPC key. Thats my first MPC and it took over the center of attention in my studio TBH... And I have a bunch of keyboards...
Just refreshing to produce music off it. very simple and efficient. Yeah there are some really nice sounds on other platforms (HW or VSTs...) But I ended up having fun with the auto sampler that does a pretty good job....... Ive been digging generative ambient (Id say I couldnt really find expansions for ambient, ethnic etc... maybe its me....). So it ticks all the boxes pretty much in my case. Id say effects could be a bit better... Now the one thing that really bugs me is its integration for live. I play music in psychedelic ceremonies. The MPC key would be amazing IF it didnt have such load times on projects..... You take a Fantom or Montage, no load times between scenes and seemless transition (sound doesnt stop). MPC, I have to load a new project, wait 5-10 seconds and then I can start playing. Thats a major pain live. Maybe there is better way... The limitation of 8 plugins per project is not helping either. But Im new to the system so maybe Im wrong. I wonder how you can use it in a continuous live set.....
I have the same concerns about live stuff too, I may need to try some of the more traditional workstations to see what they’re about
@@DylanParisMusic well, you can get a second MPC Key or a MPC X... used they are $1,300 on reverb. I got lucky and found a MPC key "refurbished" but new for $800 :). That beats any workstation IMO for the same price or less. And no more live issue
I just scored a second one like new at $950 thats $1,750 for a set of 2. I think it beats anything lol. That made me think about the real value of MPC Key new vs a MPC X SE.... Its hard to justify the cost delta.....
How lock pads on it? Iike lock button "hold" on roland. In this case pads work like triggers.
I’m not sure I understand the question
@@DylanParisMusic I need toggle mode for pads.
where do u get your caps from? lol
Random websites haha
Just got one. Love it so far. It’s light to transport. I just wonder if it can stand the test of time especially as they release more plugins. I wonder how the HW will hold. Load times are pretty long too. Far from the seemless patch change. I love the sata bay. Otherwise it’s a great creative instrument. Live your vids too
i have been wanting a keyboard workstation for a while, and I want to go with the mpc key 61 and later I might try a Yamaha m8x. I don't want to jump into a large learning curve just yet.
This feels like a really nice middle ground to me between a workstation and a traditional sampler / groovebox
Just gave my son my newish MPC one plus. Now, I'm thinking of MPC X SE. I really wish Akai would have given us an 88 key with all the controls of MPC X SE! That lack of full OLED's on the Key 61 have me thinking I would like the X better along with a nice 88 key simple Midi controller. I know the second I buy the X se, Akai will announce a mega workstation. LOL.
Hahaha fair! Yeah if you want those controls and the bigger screen and stuff, probably worth going with the X and getting an 88 key midi keyboard
@@DylanParisMusic Once I realized how good the MPC environment was, I feel stuck. :) I hated it at first. Then I figured out how much I was missing by being too new at it. Once I saw the sampling tools, LFO, and all the tweaks, effects, will be hard to go back to Roland or even Korg.
@Curious_Skeptic fully agreed! It’s probably the most dense UI on the market but once you learn it you see how powerful and flexible it is
I was so excited when this came out and I sat with it in a music shop for an hour. I couldn’t figure out how to do much of anything really and was really disappointed with the sequencing aspect. It would appear that you can only really have one section (harmonically) as opposed to the force where you can change scenes and have completely different sections?. Correct me if I’m wrong? I’ve had a FORCE for maybe three years and have never got to grips with that either. I’ve really, really tried to love it but every single time I sit down with it I am reading the manual and watching videos. I think it’s seriously hard to use and I have a degree in music technology and 25years exp with DAWs. I love the clip and scene launching aspect and I would definately prefer a Force Keys TBH…..As a musician who gets seriously bored of the same chord progression all the way through a song…..
It can definitely be tricky to get a handle on these devices! You can make different “sequences” in a project that let you have different sections of a song. It’s less intuitive than the force but it’s still workable for sure!
You probably don't need MPC Force?
maybe, I try a lot of devices. I don't own the MPC KEY 61 since it's a loaner
This and the Roland Fantom 06 are imho great, not just for the money!
Enjoy!
BTW the Kaoss I love on my Live 2 😊
Fair!
I think the only downside are the converters, it sounds very flat.
yeah i'm definitely not an expert on converters but i've heard others say that as well
Nothing is ever perfect