Akai MPC Key 61

The first MPC with a built-in keyboard: a 61-note synth-action keybed on a full standalone production workstation.

Overview

The Akai MPC Key 61 is a standalone sampling production workstation, synthesizer, and sequencer from Akai Professional. It is the first MPC with a built-in keyboard, and Akai positioned it as a flagship with expanded memory and integrated synth engines. It was made for keyboard players, live performers, and synth composers. It runs MPC OS (version 2.11 referenced) and supports 128 MIDI tracks and 8 audio tracks per project. Onboard are 25 plugin instrument engines with over 6000 presets, plus over 100 effects, including the Flavor effect module and AIR Vocal Suite. It also has vintage synth emulations, including ARP Odyssey, Solina String Ensemble, Mellotron, and more.

Specifications

Design

The MPC Key 61 is built of solid plastic. The rear section is raked and holds the screen and controls, which leaves the keyboard and performance wheels at the front. The 7-inch multi-touch display supports gestures like pinch zooming. It also hosts new software views: a graphical sound browser grid and a Key Ranges view for splits and layers. The Touch Strip works as a note repeat speed selector, an encoder mirror, and a dedicated controller for Touch FX. The pads are reported as high quality and match those on the MPC One. The semi-weighted synth-action keys have aftertouch. There is also a transpose function with octave up/down buttons and indicator lights.

Context

Akai positions the MPC Key 61 as an alternative to high-end workstations like the Korg Nautilus and Yamaha Montage. It builds on over 30 years of Akai MPC sampling and sequencing history. It is considered the new flagship of the MPC family because of its 4 GB RAM, double that of other contemporary hardware MPCs at launch. It shares the 7-inch multi-touch display with the MPC Live II and MPC One, and its Touch Strip design is inspired by the MPC Studio. The Akai Professional division was founded around 1980 and acquired by inMusic Brands in 2005. It designed the unit to bring the classic MPC workflow together with modern synth and performance features.

Market

The current market price for the MPC Key 61 is $1,499.00, with demo models available for $1,209.00. It has a 4.5/5.0 reviewer rating and 5 out of 5 stars from six users on zZounds. Reviewers call it a complete, physically impressive instrument that changed their relationship with MPCs. They praise the latency-free pads, the powerful low end from Fabric sounds, and the "brilliant" Flavor effect. Users report it is great for sketching ideas away from a computer and fun for live use. Some note challenges with DAW integration, sample editing, time stretching, and potential sync latency. One reported issue is keys failing to wake the screen from standby. Transposed notes can be fixed by resetting transpose with the Octave up/down buttons.

eBay Listings

Akai MPC Key 61 Standalone Production Keyboard WORKSTATION U

$1,299

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