Akai Force Standalone Music Production/DJ Performance System

The Akai Force is a standalone music production/DJ performance system that’s perfect for both music production and DJ performances thanks to the wide range of next-generation sound creation and manipulation tools. The Force combines an intuitive workflow with contemporary functionalities allowing you to take full control over your creativity. This fully standalone music production workstation blends step sequencing, sampling, clip launching, synthesiser engines, and a tactile touchscreen to give you all the tools needed for professional productions and performances.

7-inch full-colour Display

The 7-inch full-colour capacitive multi-touch display sits at the heart of the Force and allows you to launch clips, edit MIDI data, browse your sample collections, manipulate samples, apply XY effects, create synth patches, and so much more. A large 8x8 pad matrix features radiant RGB backlighting and gives you tactile control over triggering scenes and clips and can also be used as a step sequencer so you can easily lay down drum grooves. The pad matrix can also be used to finger drum when in MPC 16 pad mode or can be used just like a keyboard allowing you to play note data.

The ability to easily import your own stems, loops, and one-shots into the 8x8 pad matrix means you can easily trigger and loop your sounds. You can then tune and time-stretch your sounds further so you can seamlessly mash-up and remix your tracks on the fly; all content will automatically synchronise to the set master BPM meaning you’ll never miss a beat.

360-degree rotary controls

Enhance your performances with the eight 360-degree rotary controls which feature OLED feedback so you can clearly view how much you’re affecting a channel. The smart assignments and various modes ensure you’re getting real-time access to a wealth of core controls; alternatively, you can link the rotary controls to any assignable parameter providing you with a truly customisable experience. Using the rotary controls, you can quickly capture, playback, and alter real-time FX automation. Ergonomic transport controls let you easily navigate your project while mute, solo, and cue controls offer critical control over your mixes.

Intuitive workflow

The Force’s intuitive clip-based workflow lets you combine multiple modes with plug-in tracks, MPC-style drum tracks, audio tracks, key-group tracks, MIDI tracks, and CV tracks allowing you to define clip types. You can then sculpt your clips using the step sequencer, drum pad performances, and note data. Using the dedicated combo inputs you can capture your own audio, or load in and sequence samples from Force’s browser, or resample audio from another track within the Force.

All channels can be assigned to the Force’s crossfader; this means you can load full tracks, stems, or loops into the pad matrix and mix between them giving you an entirely unrestricted DJ experience. Take control over your effects using the XYFX built right into the touchscreen, the XY pad lets you apply filters, beat repeats, and countless other modulations in real-time directly to independent channels or selected grouped outputs.

In/output Connections

The rear of the Force features a range of in/outputs and includes two USB ports plus an SD port; this lets you import your own samples directly into the unit while a dedicated SATA drive bay allows you to expand upon the internal storage. An integrated audio interface allows you to capture your own audio with dual XLR/¼ -inch TRS combo inputs which include phantom power and are switchable to line or instrument levels.

Route your audio out to two stereo ¼ –inch outputs which are selectable within Force’s UI while a headphone output allows you to monitor and audition clips and scenes. You can also hook up your modular gear to the Force thanks to the four independent CV/Gate outputs as well as your external MIDI devices thanks to MIDI in/out/through ports.

Synchronise your projects

The Force can be connected to your wireless network so you can synchronise your projects with any Ableton Link compatible application or hardware device, this includes Akai’s iconic MPC series. Force comes with dual real-time time-stretching algorithms as well as automatic BPM detection giving you effortless synching of all the audio inside of your project to the selected master BPM. Prepare your mixes and performances with the dedicated cue assign controls and cue mixer for all audio assigned to outputs ¾ or via the cue/blend control on the headphone output.

Right out of the box the Akai Force comes loaded with 10GB+ of samples and sounds from industry-leading sound design companies such as SampleTools by CR2, MSX Audio, and Sample Magic. There are 248 drum kits, 16 demo projects, 2500+ loops, and 500+ patterns. The core library gives you direct access to some of the most wanted sounds allowing your inspiration and creativity to take control from the get-go.