got it, I understand… thank you! 
I use the built-in synths of the Force and use it like a groovebox, playing and programming clips (which are really just MIDI data). I build up grids full of clips and think about recording them into the arranger to “finish” them.
I have recorded and made a few audio loops on the Force and I definitely think about connecting my hardware synths to it and controlling/recording them too, but I usually get lost in the built-in stuff.
So, I think you could have a lot of fun making your own beats (loops) and jamming with them without ever using canned loops, but you also have the choice of using the included loops to get you started.
The Force is a great machine, but it is a relatively large investment and will require you to learn quite a bit. I would recommend working with Logic’s clip view a bit to get an idea of what this style of music-making is like.
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There was a fire at Asahi Kasei before the pandemic that might still be having a ripple effect throughout the audio industry. This might be affecting part costs for Akai. However, I guess the price increase reflects a recognition that the Force has become more valuable with the last two updates and had been discounted deeply from the original street price.
A good tutorial about recording audio/mic in a clip on a audio track :
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Logic? I’d recommend working with Ableton Live to get a proper idea of what this style of music-making is like to be more precise. Logic’s clip view is just a poorly aped version of what Ableton Live began since version 1.0.
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Agree! If talking about clip view it’s Ableton, seems logic to me
Sure, Ableton would be better if available, but the poster already has Logic.
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If anyone wants to try Ableton, just buy Koala Sampler app for Android or IOS and it comes with a code for Live Free version, and you’ll have a nice $4 mobile sampler for your troubles.
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True, I missed that. They could always download a free demo of Ableton Live, though.
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Good point. There is also the Force’s partial compatibility with Live, and Live Lite is (or was) included with new Force units.
Yeah, Ableton Live 11 Lite comes with Force still. At least mine did (bought it earlier this year).
A link with the latest user manual pls if available yet to the new update.
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For those who own a Force, what would you say are it’s biggest limitations atm? Currently I own a Live 2 but I’m starting to think a Force would suit me better. I’m very familiar with ableton’s session view and I’m struggling a bit with the mpc live workflow (I always lose track of my tracks and sequences). The whole clip and scene approach is very much how I think.
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If you’ve already got an MPC Live II, you already are familiar with the limitations, which are purely hardware related IMHO (cpu and RAM to be clear). Force has the exact same cpu and RAM (it’s the same SoC), so the same limitations will apply - max number of 8 plugins at any given time; max number of 8 stereo audio tracks at any given time (though on Force, you can obviously disk stream for unlimited length in time, as well as load more stereo or mono stems of any length and disk stream from a Drum Program to get around that limitation).
If Ableton Live’s workflow is your wheelhouse, then the Force will definitely make you feel more at home. It’s not a 1:1 workflow to Ableton Live, but it’s pretty damn close.
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I’d like to have a second pair of inputs.
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I also come from a Push/Ableton background and I had a One and couldnt geat along with the Mpc workflow either.
Force is pretty close to Push/Ableton but with some workflow quirks.
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rec button combo is a bit annoying I find. Need to enable global record and track record but if you forget to disable global, then everything you change is recorded as automation. Automation rec can be disabled in pref but its a menu dive to enable it again
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more i/o would be nice. Yes there is class compliant but it seems devices with more than 4in 4 outs working glitch free are hard to find
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since its a daw in a box, there is some menu diving. Like the Mpc, I found some things to be less logical but I find the Force much more intuitive than the Mpc since the workflow was created from scratch and not inherited from decades ago
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i personally am not fond of the inbuilt synth engines. But i have a few outboard synths to keep me happy.
Overall I am happy with the Force. I found it a much more enjoyable experience compared to Mpc One. Its got some quirks but nothing is perfect.
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Has anyone compared both the Akai Force and MC707… I’m on the fence between the 2 units… and wondering about other experiences.
Ideally I’d be looking for something quite ‘jammable’/improvisational with a fast/inspiring workflow-important to be playable s well-not just launching clips. Having said that I am happy to spend some time setting up template projects etc to get there.
3 user definable knobs and a fader per track say 707.
Perfect would be a bastard out of both, thats why i paired them atm.
I have both units… I would say it depends on what your musical aims and preferred workflow is. If you come from a Roland background, the 707 is appealing and quite fast to ‘sketch’ ideas out… but the Force is way more powerful overall.
I really like the faders/controls on the 707, but using the Force with a Novation LaunchControl gives the same fader control and then eats the 707 for breakfast.
I’ve kept the MC707 mainly as a sound module to use with my main sequencers (Force, MPC & Ableton), and I still like it as a fun standalone device to jam on… but it would never be my main central device.