Hi friends,
I've bought a new keyboard controller,a Akai Advance 61 and I will receive it in some days.Cool,I'm so impatient!
I wanna know your thoughts about this keyboard,especially if you have it.
Thanks!

 

pretty good keyboard, but the fabric settings are pretty lazy. You have to customize the drum pads and keyboard to make them more sensible. The VIP software are more gimmick than anything useful.

 

heard of pad mods.. due to Akai's lousy implementation of them ( even on controllers with only pads e.g. MPD 26 )
but what mods are done on the keys ?

 

Pretty much the same you change the sensibility to 10, even then they feel maybe a little bit "hard"

 

I can't understand if the Advance and the new Komplete Kontrol have the same keybed. someone can confirm? or, which one is the "best" between the two?

 

I think the Native Instrument's keyboard is better.On their site Native Instruments say it's a Fatar keyboard,and on the Akai's site nothing about it.
If the Native Instrument was a bit less expensive I would have bought this one for sure.I think it's better quality than the Akai.
And the DAW integration seems far better too.
What I'm looking for is especially a good feel with the keys.If I don't find that on the Akai I'll probably return it and spend some more euros to buy the Native Instruments Komplete kontrol 49.

 

its a nice keyboard, but i dont like its big logo

 

Keys feel great, pads are nice big and responsive (no need for any mods like the first gen MPK), encoders are big and smooth.

VIP software is a bit of a gimmick for studio use. For live I can see uses for it.

I've also had trouble getting it receive MIDI, Transport doesnt update when the software is in record (ie Software record, record button turns red) and the encoders I set them to incremental because otherwise they wouldn't update switch values for different parameters in Studio One. But oddly enough the MIDI clock for repeat/arpeggiator works.

 

I oqn the Advance 49 and i can tell you im sad that i didnt bought the Native Kontrol 49 , The Vip software sucks .

 

I have the Advance 49 version and I can tell you that I don't even use the VIP software. Also for some reason the Mod wheel doesn't register for any instrument on my system. I'm on Windows 10, 8gb Ram, I7 4th gen, use Studio One. Yeah I know my 'puter's a dinosaur but I'm working on upgrading.

 

I have the Advance 49, for what reason I don't know since I have other keyboards that can run midi. However, maybe because it is a full on controller or because I wanted it to gear match it to my Akai MPC Renaissance that I don't even use anymore because I like my Push 2. Some what a gear junkie I guess... but what I can tell you is pick a controller board because you love the way the keys feel, and learn every function. I don't like my Akai like that, but it does feel 100% better than the Native Instruments board. The advance has a solid construction. I like Native Instruments lighting and scale feature, that keep me torn on which to purchase until I felt them both side by side. The Komplete Kontrol board had me feeling like it could be broken very easily...like if you slammed a chord to hard. I don't really use the VIP software much.. but I have access to both...VIP and the Kontrol software. The VIP allows you to do more. It is just a matter of learning how to use it in you setup.

 

you just reversed my beliefs :D I thought that NI had a better keybed and NI software could do more. can you explain your argument (especially for the software)? in the meanwhile, I'll try to try them side by side.

 

Just would put it in an aquarium for the fishes. Keyboard or any physical instrument's era is over.

 

Used to have the advance 49, felt like the keys were very stiff (not in a good way) compared to the komplete kontrol mk2 which is more springy. Ive had many midi keyboards in the past and komplete mk2 is definitely best ive had

 

I stay with Novation Impulse 61. Actually, the best midi controller!

 

From what I read here and there,a lot of people seems unhappy with the Akai....I wonder if I shouldn't have think more before buying...

I disagree with you.A midi keyboard very handy to find nice melodies or chord progressions.I buy a 61 keys keyboard because I would like to learn piano.Actually I have a 32 keys cotroller and playing with "octave+/octave-" sucks.

At the beginning I wanted to buy this one.He looks like good for the price.
Can you tell me your likes and dislikes about it please?

For sure the better is to see it, touch it before buying.But I live in a small city,far from big stores.

 

I have an Akai Advance 61 and use VIP for Live performance in a covers band. I use mainly Arturia soft synths to get those sounds needed for this type of work. The multi mode in VIP is perfect for this as you can layer up to 8 synths and split the keyboard. The Advance has large dials that act as volume control for each part. Organ and piano is handled by my trusty Nord Electro 3.

 

Yeah...let's get the machine to make all our music...soulless

 

Well,I have now my advance 61 and I must say I like it.
Like a lot of people say,the VIP software is total bullshit.
But I like a lot the keyboard,its enormous(!) knobs really handy to manipulate.
The pads are very sensitive,like the keys to the velocity.
The keys are very enjoyable.
Nevertheless to activate the aftertouch you have to press on the key a bit like a lout.But I saw on a menu that I can adjust the keys and pads sensibility.

The global quality is very good.

I will keep it.

 

Reliable. Best quality pads and knobs on an Akai keyboard to date. The keys are still springy as shit tho. Not a better keybed than the Komplete Kontrol MK2 or the older Novation SL MK2 with the Fatar action.