Akai Force – It’s Official, Ableton Live Workflow Without a Computer

Two years ago Akai raised the bar for beatmakers and producers with their standalone MPC Live and MPC X. They didn’t stop there though, and today we finally get to see (officially) their new device, boldly named Force.

What is Force?
The Akai Force is a standalone music production/DJ performance device boasting clip launching, step sequencing, sampling, synths and a 7-in touch display. According to Akai, Force captures the modern clip-based (read Ableton Live-style) workflow.

Check out this helpful overview video:

Impressive Specs + Time Stretching and Pitch-Shifting

Force features an 8×8 RGB clip launch matrix, a 7-inch full-color touch-capacitive multitouch display, 8 touch-sensitive knobs with graphical OLED displays, two audio inputs, four audio outputs, MIDI and CV I/O.

Impressive Specs + Time Stretching and Pitch-Shifting

Force features an 8×8 RGB clip launch matrix, a 7-inch full-color touch-capacitive multitouch display, 8 touch-sensitive knobs with graphical OLED displays, two audio inputs, four audio outputs, MIDI and CV I/O.

Additional features include time stretching/pitch-shifting in real time, a comprehensive set of on-board effects by AIR Music Technology, plus the TubeSynth, Bassline and Electric synth engines. It also boasts an additional synth called Hype, a preset and macro-based synth combining several different synth engines into a single easy-to-use package. Force also has the ability to record eight stereo tracks.

Ableton Live + Splice Integration Coming Soon

In March 2019, Force’s development program includes in-depth Ableton Live integration. This functionality will include total visibility and command of Ableton’s clip matrix, tactile control of core mixer parameters including crossfader assignments, and control of device parameters instantiated in Ableton Live’s workspace via the touch user interface and Force’s rotary encoders / OLED displays.

Additionally, March 2019 will also see Splice integration within Force. Splice Sounds fuels the creativity of producers around the world with millions of high-quality, royalty-free samples, sounds, presets and loops, covering nearly ever musical style.
With Splice integration in Force, users will have immediate wi-fi access to their own Splice library directly from the touch user interface – perfect for ultra-fast auditioning of sounds for implementation within their Force project.

Price and Availability
In the U.S. Force has a coordinated availability date of the 5th February 2019. In International markets Force is slated for availability in February 2019.
U.S. retail will be $1499.00.
For more information, visit the Force web page.