Following the announcement of the Akai Force standalone music production and performance system, Akai Professional has released a series of tutorial videos to assist with learning its basic functionalities. The tutorial series provides you with helpful tips and tricks so you can perform and produce fluidly with the Force. Each video is based around a function such as launching clips, mixing tracks, using plug-ins and samples, live looping, using the step sequencer, and playing notes, giving you a wealth of tools to utilise in your performances and productions.
Launching Clips
| Launching Clips |
The first video guides you through launching clips and scenes with the Force. To launch clips you need to first activate Launch Mode found on the left-hand side of the controller, this turns the 64 pads into clip launch mode. Each column represents a track which can be set to play drum clips, audio loops, or plug-in instruments and can be selected using the numbered buttons at the bottom of the device. The lit pads represent individual clips which can be launched by pressing or touching the clips on the touchscreen.
Force’s launch quantisation ensures your clips will always be in time with each other, no matter when you press them. To stop tracks individually press ‘Clip Stop’ on the left-hand side, and then the green button underneath the track channel. To stop all tracks at once press the ‘Stop All’ button at the bottom right or the ‘Stop’ button at the top left.
The horizontal rows of pads represent scenes which can be played as an introduction, verse, or chorus. To launch a whole row of clips simultaneously press the ‘Launch Scene’ button found to the right of the performance pads. When you jump between scenes the Force will keep everything in time so it won’t sound out of place, and the clips will keep looping until you launch new clips or scenes.
To adjust the launch quantisation of the clips (the timing before it jumps to a new clip) hold down shift, and the track selector buttons will light up; the backlit red pad shows you which quantisation it is currently set to. To change the quantisation of an individual clip, select the clip and press the ‘Clip’ button at the top left of the unit and adjust the launch quantisation as you see fit. Note that it doesn’t need to be the same as every other clip in the project.
Mixing with Force
| Mixing with Force |
Mixing with Force is fun and simple; press the ‘Mixer’ button and the touch screen will display a full-colour mixer representing your tracks. Adjusting volumes is as easy as touching the display, double tapping any parameter will enlarge it. Pressing the shift button while adjusting parameters will give you finer control over your values. To adjust the panning of an instrument, go to the mixer and enlarge the panning control. To mute and solo channels use the dedicated controls found at the bottom left of the Force and select the channel you wish to solo or mute.
If you’d like to send your channels to an effect bus, you’ll need to open up the FX send page, which can be found at the bottom of the screen when in mixer mode. You can send audio to up to four internal effects sends so you can add reverb, delay, parallel compression, and distortion. Another mode allows you to insert effects on to a channel directly; this lets you insert any AIR technology effect so you can get super creative with your sound. Once you’ve added an effect you can adjust the parameters by pressing the ‘Edit’ button.
To find the master channel swipe left on the display when in mixer mode and press the ‘Master’ button in the bottom left of the touch screen. After you have added insert effects onto your master channel you can press the ‘Knob’ button to the left of the rotary controls, this will bring up a menu, then press the large ‘P’ icon to head into the project parameters. Using the eight rotary dials you can now adjust various parameters of the insert effects you have put on the master channel.
Using the Crossfader
| Using The Crossfader |
Using the crossfader allows you to perform just like a DJ would. You can assign various tracks to side A or B of the crossfader; alternatively, you can leave a track unassigned meaning the crossfader will not alter the volume of the channel. To assign a channel to the crossfader find the ‘Assign A’ and ‘Assign B’ buttons above the crossfader and hold it down, then select the channels you want to assign to that side of the fader. Red tracks will be assigned to side A while yellow tracks are assigned to side B. If you’d like to change the settings of the crossfader head to the mixer window press settings and you will find the crossfader settings. You can then set the profile of the fader to linear, exponential, or logarithmic.
Control Knobs
| Control Knobs |
The eight Q-link control knobs come with an OLED display that allows you to view the amount you are adjusting a parameter. Holding the shift button lets you make even finer adjustments so you can precisely set values. If you hold the knob button a menu will appear giving you loads of different modes the knobs can be used for. In screen mode, the knobs will control the most important parameters on the screen such as the six main macros in the Hype synth, if you click the knob button again a further eight parameters will appear.
In every mode you move between the Q-link controls will automatically update. You can also map the parameters you use most to the Q-link knobs when in project mode such as filter cutoff, delay time, and reverb amount. To map the Q-link knobs go into the menu, select knobs and there you’ll be able to assign parameters as you please.
Browsing Samples
| Browsing Sample |
Using Force’s browser allows you to build projects quickly. To browse your sample collection, press the ‘Load’ button found in the transport section, this takes you through to a menu where all of your samples and sounds are available. To find a kick drum select the audio files tab, and use the search bar and qwerty keyboard to find the samples you are looking for quickly. When you have found a sound you are happy with press the load button on the screen to load in your sound. You can use the search bar to find genre specific sounds and sample folders.
Notes Mode
| Notes Mode |
Note mode is an exceptionally powerful yet simple feature that allows you to perform melodies using the 64 performance pads. You do not need to understand music theory to perform in notes, simply choose a scale to work in and Force will automatically map the pads to your chose scale.
While in note mode press the ‘Note’ button found to the left of the pads, this will bring up a menu where you can choose a scale to work in as well as chords progressions. By holding shift, along with the note mode, you instantly get taken to a menu where you can choose a scale. This means while you are playing you will never hit a wrong note. By using the progressions mode, you get instant access to full chords that are perfectly in harmony with your track and allows you to play chords using a single finger.
Using the Step Sequencer.
| Using The Step Sequencer |
Using the Force’s step sequencer, you can rapidly sequence drums. The sequencer splits the 64 pads into three sections; the lower left 16 pads becomes the drum pad, allowing you to finger drum and select samples, whereas the lower right 16 pads will enable you to choose the velocities you want the samples to play at. The top 32 pads will become the sequencer itself, with each row of pads representing two beats.
To double up a pattern you have created hold the shift button and press the double button found at the bottom of the Force. Pressing the ‘Step Sequence’ button to the left of the pads allows you to switch between the patterns you have created. To adjust the beat grid of the sequencer press the shift button and click the ‘Timing Correct’ button at the bottom, this allows you to raise or lower the resolution of the timing so you can sequence with shorter timings between each beat.
Live Looping with Force
| Live Looping |
One of the best things about the Force is the ability to record and loop instruments using the combo XLR/TRS Jack inputs on the rear of the unit. The instrument inputs can be used to record guitars, vocals, keyboards, synths, and microphones. To record a live instrument, make sure it is plugged into the combo inputs, then create a new audio track inside the mixer window. Make sure the audio track is armed by pressing the record button on the channel strip and select the input you are connected to. To monitor the instrument you are recording, make sure the audition button is highlighted.
To record into the Force, launch a scene and double check the channel is armed for recording. You can arm a track by pressing the ‘Record Arm’ button in the bottom left corner, then select the channel you want to arm. Launch the clip where you want to add your recording, when it turns red that clip is ready to record. Press the ‘Clip’ button to enter the clip settings, and adjust the loop start and end points to quantise your recording. You can layer multiple clips using various tracks, and you can copy what you have recorded using the copy and paste buttons.
Live Performance with Force.
| Live Performance |
This video provides you with an in-depth look at how a live performance works. After the live performance you’ll get an even deeper look into the inner workings of the Force workflow providing you with tactile information on clip and scene launching, using FX, using the crossfader, adjusting parameters with the Q-link knobs, and so much more.
Trap Performance and Tutorial
| Trap Performance |
This video gives a deeper insight into live performances and recording into the Force allowing you get a proper feel of the workflow inside of Force.
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