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Akai MPK249 Performance Keyboard Controller, 49-Key

Take full control of your DAW and software synths. This MIDI controller gives you 49 semi-weighted keys with aftertouch, 16 MPC-style pads, 8 knobs and more.

$349.00

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Akai Advance 61 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller, 61-Key

No longer available at zZounds
Virtual-instrument virtuoso? Get real-time feedback with the Akai Advance 61's high-res color screen. VIP software helps you find the right instrument fast.

The Akai Professional Advance 61 MIDI controller keyboard gives you unprecedented playability and unrestricted manipulation of any virtual instrument with Akai's exclusive interactive, full-color display, complemented by performance-friendly hardware controls. The Advance Keyboards deftly fuse the power of software instruments with the live playability of a keyboard workstation, so you can create like never before. The dividing line between software and hardware instruments is finally gone!

High-Resolution Full-Color 4.3-inch Display for Real-Time Control

The Advance Keyboards transform computer-based plug-ins into an entirely hands-on playing experience. The keyboard surface features an integrated high-resolution full-color 4.3-inch display, providing real-time control and feedback of all virtual instruments. The screen instantly adapts itself to the selected plugin's controls, delivering immediate 1:1 access to the instrument and various editable functions. Better yet, the Advance Keyboards work with any VSTi virtual instrument. Using the Advance Keyboard's custom-designed Virtual Instrument Player (VIP) software application, your entire VSTi library is controlled by one application. VIP operates as a plugin inside any major digital audio workstation (DAW) or as a stand-alone application on both Mac and Windows operating systems.

Akai RGB Backlit Pads and Endless Knobs: Sophisticated but Easy to Use

Dedicated physical controls are thoughtfully included, with Akai's read more RGB backlit, velocity-and-pressure-sensitive pads on each keyboard surface. Rubberized pitch and modulation wheels provide simple, direct note manipulation with musically natural action. Easily-gripped, continuously-variable endless knobs let you make adjustments with granular or dramatic effect. Akai's custom semi-weighted, velocity-sensitive keybed supports aftertouch, making it the ideal keyboard for seasoned live performers and studio producers alike.

VIP (Virtual Instrument Player) App Gives You Access to All Your Software Instruments

Included with each Advance Keyboard is the Virtual Instrument Player (VIP) application. VIP gives you immediate access to any virtual instrument in your collection -- with or without a DAW -- a powerful way to play virtual instruments live or integrate them into a recording session.

VIP software users can also create setlists that provide on-demand access to your customized instruments for stage performance and studio work. By simply pressing a single button on an Advance Keyboard, you can adapt to song changes as the live performance progresses -- without ever reaching for your computer. That's what you want!

Fast Patch Browsing, Instrument Layering and More

You'll also love VIP's facilities for hyper-fast instrument and patch browsing, key zone splitting, layering of up to 8 instruments per VIP instance, expansive custom mapping capabilities, and support for any VSTi plugin. You can run as many instances of the Virtual Instrument Player as your computer allows. VIP runs as a VSTi, AU, RTAS or AAX plugin, allowing you access to VSTi's in virtually any DAW, such as Pro Tools, Logic Pro X and Ableton Live.

Features:

Keyboard Controller:
- 61-key premium, semi-weighted velocity-sensitive keybed with aftertouch
- Integrated 4.3-inch high-resolution full-color screen with dedicated interface buttons
- Screen provides 1:1, real-time feedback of plugin parameters
- 8 endless and continuously variable control knobs
- 8 velocity- and pressure-sensitive MPC pads with RGB illumination
- Dedicated pad bank, transport control, octave, and performance buttons
- Note repeat, time-division, pattern arpeggiator, and tap-tempo buttons
- Rubberized Pitch and Modulation wheels
- Expression pedal and footswitch inputs
- USB and 5-pin MIDI Input/Output for use with any MIDI capable software or hardware
- Functions as a standalone controller
- Included sounds: Vacuum Pro, Loom, Hybrid 3, Xpand!2, Velvet and Transfuser by AIR Music Tech, Eighty Eight Ensemble by SONiVOX and exclusive artist launch packs from TOOLROOM RECORDS (downloads). Plus 100's of other VI's and sounds from a growing list of partners, available for purchase, downloadable from the VIP Store
- Includes Virtual Instrument Player software for unprecedented virtual instrument preset management, control mapping and multi patch creation

Virtual Instrument Player (VIP) Software:
- Plays virtually every VSTi-compatible plugin
- Operates as a standalone virtual instrument player for your computer
- Also operates as a plugin within any AU, VST, or AAX compatible DAW
- Organizes your plugin collection with intuitive browsing by plugin, artist collection, instrument type, timbre, and more
- Access, edit and mix up to 8 virtual instruments at one time
- Setlist feature lets live performers switch between patches from any plugin instantly from the keyboard
- Extensive key zone splitting, custom mapping, and instrument mixing options
- Pre-mapped to hundreds of industry-leading virtual instruments
- Unlimited instances of VIP may be run in a DAW

With the Advance Keyboards, you get uninhibited access to any virtual instrument in your library without losing focus of the instrument in front of you. Nothing else can do that for you.
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- Keys: 61
- Key action: Semi-weighted with aftertouch
- Pads: 8 velocity- and pressure-sensitive RGB-backlit MPC pads
- Rotary encoders: 8 large endless knobs for continuously variable control
- Pedal inputs: 1 expression, 1 sustain
- MIDI I/O: 5-pin DIN MIDI In and MIDI Out, plus MIDI over USB

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 401-658-4032
Web: http://www.akaipro.com/support

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 3 out of 5 stars. (6 ratings)
Submitted December 3, 2015 by Allen S in Granite Bay, CA

"Akai Advance, awesome concept not fully mature"

Overall: 3 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
The Advance 61 is high-quality product which comes with lots of very good free software (downloadable), but suffers somewhat through lack of full support for the complete integration of the VIP VST Host software. The keyboard itself is very well built. I find myself wishing this keyboard was on all of my other synths and workstations ... it's that good. The pitch wheel has an oddly slow return-to-center. This will bug some players, but I find it works just fine. I should note that there is something comforting and inviting about the construction of the wheels themselves. The buttons, knobs and pads are first-quality and reassuring "pro" feeling. The VIP VST host concept is incredible, when it works right, which it does with most VSTs. It's very possible to scarcely look at your computer screen at all ... the workflow is that well thought out and intuitive. You'll need to need the manual and scratch your head about a few things, but it becomes obvious very quickly.What's bad (and the reason for the 3 start overall score) is that VIP isn't very well supported by Akai, in the sense of maintaining patch maps and compatibility. There are significant problems/bugs with some populatr VSTs (in my case Arturia MiniV and Prophet V) which make these VSTs unusable within VIP. These have been known for months with little support from Akai besides "trying reinstalling". Despite the fact that this is a MIDI controller, I rated sound 5-stars owing to the excellent compliment of VSTs which read more are included. Its' not an exaggeration to say you'd have a complete sound-set with just what is included. These are not stripped down versions, but the "real thing" from Air Music Technologies. The inclusion of a DAW program - like Abelton light - would have made this a "system in a box", but now I am quibbling.

Musical Background:
35-plus year serious hobbyist & occasional professional.

Musical Style:
Electronica, rock, pop, soundtrack
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