Akai Professional Force Standalone Sampler / Sequencer

Overview

Standalone Power. Start to Finish.

Introducing FORCE, the ultimate in standalone end-to-end production workflows, complete with every tool you need to produce, remix, mashup and perform your tracks live. Fusing clip-launching, a linear arranger, Disk Streaming, Class-compliant USB Interface Support, MIDI Multi capability, step sequencing, sampling, and built-in synth engines with a tactile touch screen and much more. A revolutionary step in standalone technology, FORCE is primed for any setting, from the studio to the mainstage – no computer needed.

Take your workflow to the next level with Standalone Power. Start to Finish.

• Disk Streaming for longer recording and playback with improved system performance
• New plugin instruments Mellotron, Solina, and Odyssey
• New insert effects Stutter, Half Speed, Diffuser Delay, Limiter, Stereo Delay, and Granulator
• The new AIR Vocal Suite featuring Vocal Tuner, Doubler, and Harmonizer
• Class-compliant USB Audio Interface Support
• 10 insert effects assignable to FORCE pads
• MIDI File Compatibility: load MIDI files into FORCE
• Akai Sample Tail and more

Multi-Touch Display

The heart of your FORCE experience. Launch Clips, browse your sounds, edit MIDI data, manipulate samples, arrange your composition, apply XYFX, sculpt synth sounds and much more, all from FORCE’s 7-inch, full-color, capacitive multi-touch display.

Tactile Performance Tools

Find your creative flow with FORCE’s arsenal of tactile controls. Trigger scenes/clips, step sequence, finger drum and play note data with an expandable 8x8 clip launch matrix. Discover new ways to supercharge your performance via 360-degree rotary encoders with OLED feedback for immediate real-time access to all core controls or any assignable parameter. Fast-track your workflow with FORCE’s collection of smart controls for navigation, playback/recording control, note expression, crossfading and much more.

Connectivity and Storage

Load your samples from a USB thumb drive or SD card, or expand FORCE’s storage with the SATA drive bay. Capture audio with (2) XLR/¼-inch combo inputs with phantom power, switchable to line/instrument level. Route your audio to two stereo ¼-inch outputs, selectable per track within FORCE’s UI. Use the headphone out as a cue bus to audition clips/scenes. Take control of your modular gear with four independent CV/Gate outputs and unite your peripheral MIDI equipment courtesy of MIDI In/Out/Through ports and USB via FORCE’s unprecedented MIDI Multi capability. Connectivity and storage restrictions are things of the past! Load or stream your samples from a USB thumb drive or SD card, or expand Force’s storage with the SATA drive bay.

Produce

From sparking that initial idea to arranging and final mixdown, everything your production demands is here. Record, program and sequence with multiple track types including Plugin Tracks with MPC-style Drum Tracks, Audio Tracks, Keygroup Tracks, MIDI tracks and CV tracks. Sketch out song sections in performance mode, then arrange these on FORCE’s linear arranger. Add the final polish to your track using dozens of processors and effects from the AIR FX suite, all controllable via smart assignments on the rotary encoders or the displays on the touch user interface.

Play

For the DJ, FORCE immediately connects to your live rig either as a feature-rich side-cart or a solo centerpiece. Remix and mashup tracks on FORCE’s 8x8 clip matrix. Import multiple stems, then time-stretch and pitch-shift your content all in real-time. Assign tracks to FORCE’s crossfader and load full tracks, stems or loops to FORCE’s 8x8 matrix. Add an extra dimension to your performance with tactile XYFX. Connect FORCE to your wireless network and sync your project with any Ableton Link compatible application or hardware device. The creative possibilities are only as limited as your imagination - adding an extra dimension to your DJ performance has never been simpler.

Perform

FORCE is your instrument, the heart of your performance and the perfect platform to reimagine your production live. Combine an intuitive clip-centric workflow, multiple payback modes and track types to sculpt clips with real-time step sequencing, drum pad performances and note data.

Disk Streaming

The powerful standalone FORCE workflow is even more efficient with Disk Streaming functionality. Record and playback longer audio tracks, perform an entire DJ set, or create larger keygroup programs all while enjoying faster project load times. Stream from external hard disks, USB flash, SD cards and more into your FORCE for quick project loading and efficient resource management. Disk Streaming eliminates lengthy project load times keeping the music and your creativity flowing. Disk Streaming enables better system resource allocation and performance for expanded creativity.

Looper

Resample your clips or capture audio from FORCE’s collection of inputs and discover the endless creative possibilities of looping. Backed by an intuitive touch user interface and full audio routing capability, FORCE’s Looping capability is perfect for studio-centric inspiration or adding something truly original to your performance.

Sounds

Out-the-box, FORCE comes preloaded with 10GB+ of must-have sounds from industry leading sample content providers, including SampleTools by CR2, MSX Audio and Sample Magic. With 248 kits, 16 demo projects, 2,500+ loops and 500+ patterns, FORCE’s core library provides immediate access to the most sought-after sounds to inspire your creativity from the get-go.

Splice Integration

Simplify your sample browsing and auditioning with on-board Splice integration in 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 every musical style. With Splice natively embedded in FORCE, experience immediate Wi-Fi access to your own Splice library directly from the touch screen user interface.

Ableton Live Integration

FORCE comes pre-mapped to control Ableton Live wirelessly or via an ethernet cable using Ableton Link. Enjoy the seamless flexibility to instantly switch FORCE between standalone operation and Live Control mode without ever stopping playback from either ecosystem. For the ultimate standalone experience, you can now bring your Ableton projects into FORCE for a workflow completely free of computer tethering using the new Ableton Live Project Import function.

FORCE Academy

The FORCE Academy is your destination to learn everything FORCE, from start to finish. From Arranger Mode and making a LoFi beat, to using Pad FX, down to Ableton Project Import Mode and chopping samples, the FORCE Academy will guide you through your music making journey on FORCE.

Features

• On-Board Storage
• Full-size SD card slot
• USB-A 3.0 slots for thumb drives
• Wirelessly connect your Bluetooth® compatible device
• Play in time with Ableton Link
• CV Outputs
• 8x8 Clip Launch/Performance Pad Matrix
• Disk Streaming

Specifications

• Pads: (64) velocity- and pressure-sensitive pads, RGB-backlit

Knobs

• (8) 360° touch-sensitive Knobs
• (1) 360° encoder for display navigation and selection via push
• (5) 270° knobs for gain, mix & level adjustment

Buttons:

• (56) dedicated function buttons; red-, amber-, or green-backlit

Display

• 6.9” / 176 mm (diagonal)
• 5.9” x 3.7” / 150 x 93 mm (width x height)
• Full-color LED-backlit display with touch interface

Connections

• (2) XLR+1/4” (6.35 mm) TRS inputs (Input 1/2)
• (4) 1/4” (6.35 mm) TRS outputs (2 stereo pairs)
• (1) 1/4” (6.35 mm) stereo headphone output
• (1) 1/8" (3.5 mm) MIDI input
• (1) 1/8" (3.5 mm) MIDI output
• (1) 1/8" (3.5 mm) MIDI thru port
• (4) 1/8” (3.5 mm) CV/Gate outputs
• (1) Ethernet link port
• (2) USB Type-A ports
• (1) USB Type-B port
• (1) SD card slot
• (1) power adapter input

Power:

• via power adapter: 19 V, 3.42 A, center-positive, include

Dimensions (width x depth x height)

• 13.8” x 15.3” x 2.85”
• 350 x 389 x 72.5 mm

Weight

• 8.53 lbs.
• 3.87 kg