Akai MPC Key 61 Review

AKAI Professional is one of the most respected brands in the field of music production hardware. They are not only present in all categories of MIDI controllers, but they have also revolutionized the industry with their standalone hardware of the MPC series, which allows you to create a complete track (or at least lay down the basics) even without a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation).

The Concept of MPC Keyboards

The first MPC model, the MPC60, dates back to 1988 and was a groundbreaking product that redefined the boundaries of sampling. Prominent users of the MPC include producers like J Dilla, DJ Shadow, Kanye West, and many more.

Thirty years later, the MPC Live was born, which expanded the powerful sampling capabilities with a 7-inch touch display, allowing you to edit samples and sequences and work on up to 128 different tracks - a similar experience to DAWs.

We all know that DAWs like Ableton or FLStudio offer the convenience of being able to do everything on the same screen without having to connect various synthesizers, drum machines, and effect devices, but a standalone fan will always make compromises in convenience when it comes to physical buttons, drum pads, and real keyboards.

And here is where the strength of the MPCs shines, as you can work with them completely without a computer, enjoy all the physical benefits, and record directly onto them from any external device, then continue working on the sound in the powerful MPC software.

There has always been one thing missing in MPCs: instruments or sounds.
So far, we've had to rely on samples, which can be an interesting method for creating melodies, but many producers prefer working with instruments rather than samples.

Here AKAI once again revolutionizes the industry with the brand-new MPC KEY 61, a new standalone MPC in the form of a workstation keyboard, featuring 61 dynamic keys with aftertouch. It has the same build quality as the MPC ONE, with a hard plastic chassis, but it's robust enough to withstand a show on stage.

Internal Values

Regarding hardware, the most notable innovation is the doubling of RAM and internal storage compared to the MPC Live, as it boasts 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage along with an SSD slot, meaning you can practically store up to 32 terabytes of samples. The additional memory is a welcome upgrade for the MPC Key 61, as it allows for more relaxed work with samples.

The large keyboard with 61 velocity-sensitive keys makes it a whole new category of standalone music production hardware, intended to help producers capture ideas in an easy and fast way or even to compose a complete track without a computer. It runs on the same MPC2 software but additionally offers 25 plugin instruments with over 6500 presets.

The various sounds can be easily browsed and edited. All the essential parameters for editing individual instruments are available. Additionally, the edited sound can be saved in an empty slot for easy retrieval later.

You can play with samples and instruments simultaneously using the keyboard and pads and audition everything on the multitouch display.

Operation and Buttons

The transport controls have been inherited from the MPC X. They are self-explanatory basic elements that significantly facilitate workflow when navigating the timeline, allowing for scrolling in smaller or larger steps.

There are many physical buttons, including those for Read/Write Automation, as well as for MUTE, MIX, GRID, EDIT, SAMPLE EDIT, TIMING CORRECTION, UNDO, and the new KEYBOARD CONTROL button - here you can configure how the keyboard interacts with the system itself: settings for Aftertouch, transposition up/down, and much more.

The Touch Strip allows you to use the keyboard on a completely new level. It is particularly useful for live performances with real-time effects and the ability to edit parameters while playing.

There are two SHIFT buttons, which is very useful on such a large device, almost a meter wide, making operation easier.

Connections

As for the connections, it offers everything one would expect from standalone hardware at this level:

• 3 pedal inputs for expression, FS2, sustain
• 3 MIDI connections: THRU, IN, OUT
• 8 CV/Gate connections
• 2 combo XLR/jack audio inputs - can be set to instrument or line level. Additionally, they provide phantom power if you want to record with a condenser microphone.
• 4 audio outputs
• 1 headphone output
• 2 USB ports for USB sticks
• 1 USB-B port for connection to the computer

Our Impression

The device becomes a powerful tool when it comes to connectivity because even though the workstation can fully produce a track on its own, musicians can use it with modular racks and control other devices via MIDI with its powerful sequencer. The MPC remains the command center and regulates everything as usual.

The MPC Key 61 is more than just an MPC with a keyboard because it offers a wide range of fantastic sounds that can be edited as desired. This allows you to create the outlines of a complete track at an extremely fast pace. AKAI has become very good at providing you with the tools to easily edit your tracks on the touchscreen and with the help of intuitive buttons and controls.

However, it is important to consider that, although it is a true standalone powerhouse, you still need to learn the MPC workflow. Even though the device is equipped with many fantastic features, you need at least some basic knowledge of music production to not be overwhelmed by the vastness of functions.

The Akai MPC Key 61 offers pretty much everything a modern DAW does:

More than 100 studio-quality effects to incredible sampling capabilities, plugins, instruments, and mixing tools - the workstation truly surpasses the limits of standalone hardware and will surely find a special place among many music producers.

We truly hope that AKAI will continue on this path and perhaps in the near future also release a more compact version, something like an MPC Key 25 for mobile producing.