Akai FORCE – Standalone Music Production and DJ Performance System

The Akai FORCE is the ultimate standalone, all-in-one music production system, equipped with all the tools needed for producing, remixing, mashing up, and performing live. It combines clip launching, a linear arranger, MIDI Multi, a step sequencer, sampling, synthesis engines, touch screen control, and more, all in a single standalone device. FORCE is ready for any situation, from the studio to the main stage, and does not require a computer.

Multitouch Display

The centerpiece of FORCE’s operation. Launch clips, browse sounds, edit MIDI data, manipulate samples, arrange compositions, use XYFX, set synth sounds, and more—all via FORCE's 7-inch, full-color capacitive multitouch display.

Touch-Controlled Performance Tools

Find your creative flow with FORCE's arsenal of touch-controlled tools. Launch scenes/clips, sequence, play rhythms and sounds with the expandable 8x8 clip-launching grid. Enhance your performances with 360-degree rotary encoders, providing real-time OLED display feedback for immediate access to all key controls or any assigned parameter. Speed up your workflow with FORCE's intelligent buttons and knobs for navigation, play/record enablement, adding expression to played sounds, crossfading, and more.

Connectivity and Storage

Load your samples from a USB stick or SD card, or expand FORCE’s storage with the SATA drive bay. Record audio using the 2 XLR/¼” combo inputs with switchable line/instrument levels and phantom power. Send audio through two stereo ¼” outputs, individually assignable for each track within FORCE’s interface. Use the headphone output as a cue bus for pre-listening to clips/scenes. Control your modular gear with four independent CV/Gate outputs and connect peripheral MIDI devices using MIDI In/Out/Thru ports and USB with the unprecedented MIDI Multi capability. Connectivity and storage limitations are a thing of the past!

Produce

From initial idea to arranging and final mixdown, everything you need for music production is here. Record, program, and sequence with multiple track types including Plugin, Drum, Audio, Keygroup, MIDI, and CV tracks. Sketch song sections in performance mode and then arrange them in FORCE’s linear arranger. Polish your track with dozens of processors and effects from the AIR FX suite, all tweakable via intelligently assigned encoders or the touch user interface.

Perform

For DJs, FORCE integrates seamlessly with live equipment, either as a highly functional addition or a standalone centerpiece. Remix and mashup tracks on FORCE’s 8x8 clip grid. Import multiple stems, then match tempo and pitch in real-time. Assign tracks to FORCE’s crossfader and load full tracks, stems, or loops into the 8x8 clip grid. Add an extra dimension to your performances with the touch-controlled XYFX. Connect FORCE to a wireless network and sync your project with any Ableton Link-compatible app or device. Creative possibilities are limited only by your imagination – enhancing your DJ performance has never been easier.

Perform Live

FORCE is your instrument, the heart of your performance, and the perfect platform for reimagining your live productions. Combine an intuitive clip-centric workflow, multiple playback modes, and track types to create clips using the real-time step sequencer, play rhythms, and sounds.

Discover Synthesis Engines

Embedded within FORCE's architecture are four premium synthesis engines, each fully editable for creating immersive sounds. Sequence with the traditional piano roll editor, use the built-in arpeggiator, or switch to Note mode for instant access to intelligent chord, progression, and scale options.

• Hype: Play everything from hard-hitting plucks to lush leads with this preset- and macro-based synth, combining multiple synthesis engines (wavetable, FM, subtractive, sampling) with a massive preset library in one easy-to-use package.
• TubeSynth: Emulates the sound of classic polyphonic analog synths with an advanced virtual analog algorithm paired with five integrated AIR effects.
• Bassline: Access classic mono synth sounds with variable waveform shapes, sub/fifth oscillators, LPF and HPF options, and four integrated AIR effects.
• Electric: The ultimate in electric piano simulation with Pickup, Envelope, Bell, and Noise parameter sections, five AIR effects, and dozens of presets to get you started.

Looper

Resample clips or record audio from FORCE’s inputs and explore endless creative looping possibilities. With an intuitive touch user interface and comprehensive audio signal routing capabilities, FORCE’s looper is perfect for capturing inspiration in the studio or adding something truly unique to your performance.

Sounds

FORCE comes pre-loaded with over 10GB of essential sounds from industry-leading content providers, including SampleTools by CR2, MSX Audio, and Sample Magic. With 248 kits, 16 demo projects, over 2500 loops, and more than 500 patterns, FORCE’s core library provides instant access to the most sought-after sounds to inspire your creativity from the get-go.

Splice Integration

Simplify browsing and auditioning samples with Splice integration in FORCE. Splice Sounds fuels producers worldwide with millions of high-quality, royalty-free samples, sounds, presets, and loops, spanning nearly every musical style. With native Splice integration, you’ll have instant Wi-Fi access to your Splice library directly from FORCE’s touch user interface.

Ableton Live Integration

FORCE comes pre-mapped to Ableton Live for seamless clip launching, mixer, and macro control over Wi-Fi via Ableton Link—or an Ethernet cable between FORCE and your computer. Enjoy the fluid flexibility of instantly switching between FORCE’s standalone mode and Live Control mode without stopping playback in either environment. For maximum independence, transfer your Ableton projects to FORCE using the Ableton Live Project Import function for a completely computer-free workflow.

Key Features

• Standalone – no computer required,
• 8x8 RGB clip launch matrix,
• 7” full-color capacitive multitouch display,
• Mic/Instrument/Line inputs, 4 outputs,
• MIDI In/Out/Thru,
• 4 configurable CV/Gate outputs,
• Remix, mash-up, DJ, and produce with 6 track types and a linear song arranger for complete audio/MIDI/CV sequencing and performance capability,
• Performance modes with 16 drum pads, notes, smart scales, chords, and progressions,
• MPC sample editing,
• Real-time BPM detection, sample tempo, and pitch shifting,
• 8 touch-sensitive knobs with graphical OLED displays,
• 4 powerful, fully editable synthesis engines,
• 16GB internal storage (over 10GB of sounds included),
• Full-sized SD card slot and 2 USB 3.0 slots for thumb drives or MIDI controllers,
• 2.5” SATA drive bay (SSD or HDD).

Technical Specifications

Pads:

• 64 velocity-sensitive pads with pressure sensitivity; RGB backlighting

Knobs:

• 8 touch-sensitive 360° knobs,
• 1 large 360° encoder for screen navigation with push-to-select functionality,
• 5 270° knobs for gain, mix, and level adjustments

Buttons:

• 56 dedicated function buttons; red, amber, or green backlighting

Display:

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

Connections:

• 2 combo XLR + ¼” TRS inputs – inputs 1/2
• 4 ¼” TRS outputs (2 stereo pairs)
• 1 stereo ¼” 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 port
• 2 USB Type-A ports
• 1 USB Type-B port
• 1 SD card slot
• 1 power supply input

Power:

• Power supply: 19V, 3.42A, center-positive, included