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Akai Professional Force Standalone Sampler / Sequencer

Standalone Sampler/Sequencer with 8x8 Pad Matrix, 4 Synth Engines, 2 Audio Inputs, Stereo Outputs, CV/Gate, MIDI I/O, and Ableton Link Compatibility
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Next-generation Music Production System

You may decide to ditch your laptop for good after you get your hands on the Akai Professional Force standalone sampler and sequencer. But combined with Ableton Live on your computer, Force becomes one of the most powerful music production systems available. On its own, you have command over powerful sampling capabilities (with real-time time stretching and pitch shifting), looping, four built-in synth engines, clip launching, step sequencing, and even DJ functionality. And Force is also ready to integrate with your favorite hardware, with CV/Gate and MIDI connectivity. Complete with over 10GB of sounds and the ability to import your own samples via USB, SD card, or even a SATA drive, the Akai Professional Force is one of the most comprehensive standalone music production systems ever created.

True standalone sampling and sequencing

Force delivers a comprehensive DAW-like experience, complete with deep sampling and sequencing capabilities from the MPC series. Record your own samples and loops directly via the audio inputs, or import them via USB or SD card. You can even expand Force’s capacity with your own SATA drive. Real-time time stretch algorithms and auto bpm detection make syncing samples and loops fast and easy. You can even import multiple stems and sync them to the same bpm for instant mashups. With its highly playable 8 x 8 matrix, its vivid 7" multi-touch screen, and built-in synth engines, the Akai Professional Force is a powerful tool whether you’re producing in your studio or performing onstage.

Four built-in synth engines from AIR Music Technology

Within Force are four impressive synth engines developed by AIR Music Technology. They offer deep editing capabilities, giving you access to everything from bass, leads, and plucks to pads, soundscapes, and effects. Play them in real time via the velocity-sensitive pads or an external MIDI controller, if you prefer. Or sequence them with the piano roll. Either way, you can apply the onboard arpeggiator at any time or switch over to Note mode to access intelligent chord, progression, and scale options.

Coming soon: Deep integration with Ableton Live

If you’re already producing music with Ableton Live DAW software, the Akai Professional Force is the perfect addition to your workflow. Everything you do with Force in standalone mode can be saved as an Ableton Live Set and exported to Live for further production. And because it’s compatible with Ableton Link, you can connect Force to your wireless network and sync your project with any Ableton Link–compatible software or hardware, including Akai Professional's MPC series. On top of all that, Force is also a stellar controller for the drums, instruments, and clips within Ableton Live itself.

Akai Professional Force Standalone Sampler/Sequencer Features:

  • Standalone sampler/sequencer with Ableton Link compatibility
  • 7" multi-touch display for launching clips, manipulating effects, and navigating projects
  • 8 x 8 velocity-sensitive pad matrix for playing instruments, launching clips, and more
  • Cue mixing and DJing capabilities offer big performance potential
  • 360-degree rotary encoders feature OLED feedback
  • Integrate with other hardware and modular synthesizers with CV/Gate and MIDI I/O
  • Comprehensive sampling capabilities with real-time time stretching and pitch shifting
  • 4 built-in synth engines created by AIR Music Technology
  • Onboard arpeggiator
  • Note modes give access to intelligent chord, progression, and scale options
  • Keygroup Tracks allow you to load multi-sampled instruments or create your own from your hardware synths
  • Built-in looper
  • Over 10GB of sounds included
  • Record your own samples directly, or load them via USB, SD card, or SATA drive
  • Deep mixing capabilities, including internal aux sends, master bus processing, and more

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Beat Production Workstation
  • Internal Sound Engine: 4 x Synth Engines
  • Screen: 6.9" Full-color LED Touch Display
  • Pads: 64 x Velocity-sensitive, Pressure-sensitive RGB Pads
  • Sounds: 10GB Force Sounds; 248 Kits, 2500+ Loops, 500+ Patterns, 16 Demo Projects
  • Sequencer: Audio/MIDI/CV Sequencing
  • Looper: Force Looper; Import Stems, Loops and One-shots
  • Sampling: Capture Audio, Resampling, MPC Sample Editing
  • Analog Inputs: 2 x XLR-1/4" combo (mic/line/instrument)
  • Analog Outputs: 2 x 1/4" TRS (master out), 2 x 1/4" TRS
  • Headphones: 1 x 1/4"
  • MIDI I/O: 3 x 1/8" (In/Out/Thru)
  • Other I/O: 4 x CV/Gate out, 1 x Ethernet (link)
  • USB: 2 x Type A, 1 x Type B
  • Storage: 16GB On-board Storage, SD Card Slot, 2.5" SATA connector (user expansion SSD/HDD)
  • Compatibility: Ableton Link
  • Power Source: 19V DC 3.4A power supply (included)
  • Height: 2.85"
  • Width: 13.8"
  • Depth: 15.3"
  • Weight: 8.53 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: FORCEXUS

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Akai Pro Force is an amazing piece of audio gear!

Hey Folks,

I usually don't leave feedback unless I am blown away by this particular piece of audio gear. With the Akai Force, I was able to replace all my pedals and high-end preamps as shown in one of the photos with this Akai Force. The list of effects in the photo is some of the effects they offer and much more not listed in this photo. I highly recommend viewing the current manual to view all that is offered. The pedals in the photo did quite well with my Electro-voice EV50s and the QSC K12.2 but, the Force seems to be superior in creating better sound performance, and it is very easy to set up the effects. There are eight tracks to set up and you can create as many files as you want. The force has a good looper system, Mixer, Drum tracks, MIDI tracks, plugin tracks, vocal system w/plugin effects, optional internal SATA drive, record/export, and the list goes on.
Rated 5/5

This Thing Is Amazing!

The Force is incredible. You will see some negative reviews from 2019 and earlier when they were working issues out but the newer reviews all praise it. I prefer this over the MPC to be honest. The software is more intuitive and it better integrates with Ableton. The display is amazing and the sound is incredible as it has that MPC hardware sound.

I only use three pieces of gear now: 1. Akai Force 2. Pioneer Toriaz to use the Dave Smith filters to process drums and 3. The Dirtywave M8 Tracker. I have been using the M8 Tracker more and more because it's portable and works as fast as the Force. The Force is more powerful obviously but the Tracker is amazing for tracker workflow which I am starting to prefer. I find it much faster to map out your song using a tracker than a standard DAW/MPC/Force workflow. However, you need a high end unit like this in your setup to do serious production.

Akai updates these units nonstop so the problems get worked out fast and the features just keep coming based on user feedback. You can't go wrong with an Akai product. I have been using more hardware-based production and getting away from the DAW as I find it more creative personally and this unit is perfect to get away from using the DAW for everything.

You can't go wrong with this. I find pairing the Dirtywave Tracker with it just makes you unstoppable.
Music background: 30 Year Hip Hop Producer
Rated 5/5

Y.E.P.

I've used a handful of gadgets as a hub prior to the Force .... from the Octatrack to the MV8800 to the RM1X. All of them left me wanting more. This thing does not.

I've been using it for a solid year and 1/2 and there are still concepts and features I'm discovering on a regular basis. What if I did "this" with it? Or perhaps, "that?" Nearly every time, it complies.

I'd say this thing is best adept at taking your loose ideas and quickly turning them into something performance ready without a large amount of headscratching.

Highly recommend!
Music background: Electronic weirdo
Rated 5/5

Probably one of the best workstations ever made!

Definitely one of the most supported pieces of hardware gear that I have ever seen. AKAI is definitely putting in the work to make this machine so useful, that if it goes any further...everyone will need this tool!

Features I'd like to see, but don't have to have.
1. Odd time signatures
2. Midi probability in the sequencer
3. Groove Quantize (the ability to use slicing points of a sample to establish a groove quantize template, along with push pull and strength parameters IE Reason Groove Sequencer)
4. Sample formant control along with the time and pitch features
5. A dynamic eq
6. An Impulse Response based distortion/reverb/delay effect
7. An ssl emulated bus compressor
8. An FM synth plug
9. A 2 osc wavetable synth with user wavetables
10. A graintable synth

Adding none of this will lower the score and feelings I have for the unit! I just think it would kill the competitors off completely for years to come.
Music background: Hobbiest, sound designer, producer, artist
Rated 5/5

It's pretty dern awesome.

I've had mine for a year and a half at this point, and everyone is right. The updates are awesome.

Let's set the record straight:

It used to suck. A lot. A year ago it really was a waste. You couldn't do anything.

Now it's the coolest hardware I own. I have an Ableton controller and a SATA drive in the back and it's the most powerful piece of gear in my studio. I have 200 GB of samples in there, and with the 3.0.6 update now has audio interface integration, autotune, streaming from disk (which makes DJ sets lovely), midi over usb to other synths like on Ableton, and literally just everything else I use on my computer for house music production.

I wouldn't have recommended it to anyone a year ago. Now everyone needs one.
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