Akai MPC Key 61 Music Production Keyboard

A game-changing standalone music production machine, the Akai MPC Key 61 gives you 25 plug-in instruments, rich effects, and expressive hands-on control.

Overview

Building on the history of powerful sequencing and revolutionary sampling, the Akai MPC Key 61 adds the most advanced next-generation virtual instruments and effects to MPC, adding to its arsenal of industry-leading music production tools. With the 61-key semi-weighted keybed with aftertouch, the MPC experience ascends to an unprecedented level of creative interaction and expression, delivering a powerful and complete standalone workflow.

MPC Key 61 Hardware Overview - Akai Professional:

Breaking Sound Barriers

Inside MPC Key 61, experience a dimension of sound like never before. Powered by 25 plugin instrument engines at your fingertips, and with over 6000 cutting-edge presets, MPC Key 61 delivers a modern-day sound pallet, programmed in a production synthesizer. Each plugin instrument features advanced synthesis, deep parameter editing, and modern effects developed for a truly inspiring musical experience -- all designed with a fast and vibrant touch interface for an intuitive and compelling workflow. Immerse yourself in a world of sound engines ranging from deep FM Synthesis with OPx4 to rich and elegant instruments including stage piano, stage EP, session strings, and organ. The powerhouse synth Fabric XL also delivers everything from drone-basses to lush and deep atmospheric pads taking your music creation to another dimension.

Keys to Expression

The MPC Key 61 features an incredibly expressive and playable semi-weighted keybed with aftertouch to drive… read more its world-class sounds with dynamic responsive control. With players and producers in mind, technology and artisanship were combined to breathe inspiration into every performance. The MPC Key 61's keybed is designed to deliver a high performance experience by connecting the dots between sound and feel.

Plugin to a World of Effects

From essential Studio FX, to mixing and mastering, to vocal tuning and harmony processors, MPC Key 61 includes over 100 state-of-the-art effects ready to load across your music productions. Insert lush and spacious reverb and delay effects to your tracks, add bounce and punch to your drums, and mix using modern or vintage style compressors and limiters, or retro-up your sounds and samples with modern day lo-fi effects such as half-speed, flavor, and amp simulations for that slowed down vinyl feel. In addition to incredible sound, each MPC plugin also features a meticulously crafted user interface resulting in stunning visuals that jump out of the vibrant 7" touch screen. Experience plugin FX like never before, only inside MPC Key 61.

Perfect Tune & Harmony

MPC Key 61 is the world's first production synthesizer incorporating modern day vocal FX plugins which can also be used for creative sound design. Fully record and mix the perfect vocals directly inside MPC Key 61's standalone environment with two onboard high-end preamps. Whether you want that modern day vocal tuning FX sound, or the capability of adding four-part harmonies to your vocals, the AIR vocal suite delivers the ultimate plugin tools featured across contemporary music. From rap, pop, and R&B vocal effects to adding textures to your samples -- the sky's the limit.

Touch Strip for Hands-on Control

The onboard assignable touch strip controller is a catalyst for new ways to control and interact with your own signature sounds. Bend, warp, and manipulate sounds in real-time. Touch capacitive assignable real-time Q-Link controls allow for endless creative ingenuity. Q-Links are already intelligently and automatically pre-mapped, but reassigning them to virtually any parameter or synth element opens worlds of new creative energy for production and performance.

Dynamic Expression

Dedicated pitch bend and modulation wheels mean an added touch of expression to elevate your compositions. Bend the notes of your synth and lead sounds in Fabric XL, add gentle vibrato to your stringed instruments in Session Strings, or dial in the speed of the organ plugin's rotary Leslie cabinet and hear your organ parts swell with a wide chorused tremolo. The mod and pitch wheels are two more tools that bring depth and dimension to any MPC Key 61 keyboard part.

Ultimate Sequencing Workflow

With 128 tracks of internal and external MIDI, keygroup instruments, clip launching, and eight plugin instruments and audio tracks, MPC standalone has the power to capture any musical production. The responsive color touch display stands up to any task like editing notes on the drum grid, triggering step sequencer events, writing/editing automation, and more. The MPC sequencing workflow is an advanced and integrated standalone system for today's modern music creators.

30 Years of Legendary Sampling

From over 30 years of genre-defining sampling technology, MPC Key 61 brings the full MPC sampling experience Akai Professional is known for. MPC Key 61 is a true "sampling production synthesizer" with unparalleled sampling features from the leading MPC Line. From advanced sampling, sample slicing, and multi-sample layering, to capturing vintage synths using award-winning auto sampling technology and time stretching, the only limit is your imagination. Built-in microphone preamps with high-end converters combined with vintage MPC60 and MPC3000 emulation plugins bring sampling capabilities to an impressive level.

The Ultimate Feel and Groove

The 16-velocity sensitive RGB pads on MPC Key 61 are the same award-winning pads as the MPC One. In addition to the iconic MPC pads are the renowned time correct, swing, and quantize features of MPC that continue to endure as mainstays of modern music production. The popular note repeat makes hi-hats and other percussion elements sizzle and swerve through any track while "Full Level" and "16 Levels" add pitch and variety to any drum or melodic sample.

Surround your Creativity

MPC Key 61 will connect your entire creative studio and workflow together with ease. Connect up to 32 MIDI devices via USB with MIDI Multi, expand your Audio I/O to 32 inputs and outputs using class compliant interfaces, or connect your vintage synths using MIDI in/out/thru. For live Daw-less production, MPC Key 61 also includes eight CV/gate jacks, allowing you to connect to a wide variety of synthesizers, sound modules, analog modular gear, and more for a completely dialed-in sonic creation station. Onboard Wi-Fi/Bluetooth allows for wireless synchronization with Ableton Link and updating to the latest MPC OS. Two USB-A ports also come in handy for storage and MIDI controllers while an additional SATA storage bay allows for volumes of expandable sounds and tracks.

Standalone Vocal Production and Recording

The MPC Key 61 has an onboard 24-bit audio interface with high-end preamps and AD/DA converters. Individual gain knobs control the input of the combo XLR/TRS inputs with phantom power for driving condenser microphones. Two main outputs, two sub outputs, and an additional headphone output further allow for expansive connections. Capture pristine vocal tracks and then process them with the onboard AIR vocal suite, or record guitars, bass, or even other keyboards.

DAW Integration with MPC2 Software

The bundled MPC2 desktop DAW for Mac and PC supercharges the MPC experience with expanded track counts and support for 3rd party AU/VST plugins. MPC2 is the optimum platform for unrestricted creative versatility, delivering unprecedented surgical control and integration with the MPC Key 61 system. Run it as a DAW or as a VST/AU plugin in 3rd party DAWs like FL Studio, Logic, Ableton, Pro Tools, Studio One, and more.

Standalone Power at your Fingertips.

The powerful features integrated inside MPC Key 61 were engineered for a seamless, standalone creative workflow. Powered by 4GB of ram, MPC 2.11 operating system, 32 GB internal SD, a world-class 16GB onboard factory library, comprehensive I/O connectivity, and a dedicated SATA bay for SSD expansion, the MPC Key 61 comes packed with everything needed for modern music production.

Features:

- 25 Cutting-edge Instrument Plugins
- Expressive 61-key semi-weighted keybed with aftertouch
- Powerful 4GB Ram / Quad Core ARM Processor - no need for a computer
- 16 RGB Velocity-Sensitive MPC Drum Pads with Note Repeat
- Assignable Touch Strip Controller
- 2 Mic/Line Inputs with high-end preamps
- Vibrant 7" Color Touch Screen with Multi Touch & Gestures
- Audio Interface with high-quality AD/DA converters
- Accepts Class Compliant Audio Interfaces and MIDI devices
- Sounds Button for Fast Browsing
- Powerful 128 Track Midi Sequencer
- Onboard Wi-Fi/Bluetooth
- 4 Assignable Q Link Controller knobs
- Pitch Bend/Modulation Wheels
- Dedicated Transport Section
- 4 Discrete Line Outputs
- 8 Audio Tracks
- 8 CV/Gate Output Jacks for modular integration

WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm - www.p65Warnings.ca.gov.

Specs

Includes:
- MPC Key 61
- Power Cable
- USB Cable
- Software Download Card
- Quickstart Guide
- Safety & Warranty Manual

Dimensions and Weight in Packaging
Base Item: Shipping Weight: 25.25 lbs; Shipping Dimensions: 45 x 18 x 8 in; Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): MPC Key 61

Documents and Manuals

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

Akai MPC Series User Guide

Reviews

(2 ratings)

Submitted April 12, 2023 by Daxton Resonance

"Last piece to the puzzle!"

Overall:

(see rating details)

Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.

Without edifying myself, this unit is awesome for remix dj’s, producers, and musicians looking for a plethora of sounds outside of traditional “sample packs” due to what you can do with what comes in the box. You can use it via the MPC software or standard analog with traditional outputs that you’d get Motifs, Tritons, rack modules, etc. It truly combines multiple worlds into one cohesive unit. Be warned…if you are a rack junky the MIDI options are limited but will suffice for those of who are diverse and use a multitude of sound sources. I.E. a few necessary racks, a couple of high end plugins like Kontakt, Aurturia, etc. With the software, you combine your complete ITB arsenal with the included sounds from Akai for a truly unique blend of sounds. You can also use plugins versions of most DAW’s like Reason and Maschine to bring everything to one place and create. You can also connect both this with an MPC and start one project with either one and finish with the other workflow from either machine using the software. Meaning you can program your drums with an MPC (in the software) save it, power the MPC, and the power on the Key61, and proceed with melodies, bass, chords etc within the same project! You can even export MIDI files via the software. Get it all right and then export your stems to your mixing DAW. Badabing!!!If that isn’t your style, you can go straight analog and record straight out via XLR outputs like a traditional board and even use the included… read more MIDI interface to control your outboard sound modules! Regardless if you produce ITB or straight software, you can flavor your sound and mix within the unit and color your stems with the included EFX, guitar pads, etc accordingly. That way you can essentially cut down on the coloring process during post! IMHO it’s a game changer because it offers a hybrid and rich sounding approach to production and on the fly sound design.Of course…I was able to get this unit through zzounds awesome payment plan which made this whole review possible. GET IT!! It will eliminate the need for any MIDI keyboard you currently use moving forward with seemingly limitless creative possibilities yo!

Musical Background:
Showcase DJ, Sound Engineer, Bedroom Producer, Musician, Turntablist

Musical Style:
Whatever feels good and promotes positive energy—ONLY lol!!

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