#21

Akai promised that in the end it will have full Ableton integration. So the appeal is that you can absolutely use it with your computer for recording and mixing full arrangements. But you can also start an idea just jamming out on hardware. And after you finished the track in Ableton you take it right on stage without needing a computer. So it replaces an audio interface, a grid controller, a sampler/drum machine and all that. It integrates a lot of stuff into a single-box-workflow. I like that idea.

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#22

shuffles and sweats nervously

13 Likes
#23

By “integration” I think they just mean Push-esque control of Ableton, don’t they?

The CDM preview says that transferring sketches from the Force to Ableton is planned, but won’t be available at launch; they also say “it runs live sets”, but it’s not clear if that means live sets or Live Sets.

If you can indeed save an .als file to the Force and automatically have all your audio and MIDI clips save to the same Session slots on the Force as in Live, then that’s pretty neat. But CDM’s description (“you can easily load up stems and clips on this”) is vague enough that it could also mean transferring individual audio & MIDI clips to the Force and rebuilding the set manually, which seems less fun. Either way, if the Force doesn’t run Live or VSTs you’ll still be bouncing stuff to audio and / or stripping out plugins each time you move from Ableton to hardware or vice versa, right?

Anyway, like I say if it fits what people are looking for, then fair enough! Not really enjoying being super-negative about what I’m sure is a thoughtfully-made piece of gear, it just feels a bit confusing and creatively restrictive to me.

#24

Meanwhile, it’s not like you can transfer all your VSTs to the machine, so there are some hard limits to that best case scenario you describe, as well.

#25

From all I’ve read that’s how I expect it to be:
Going from Force to Ableton should be easy because you can export to ALS.
Going from Ableton to Force you’ll have to bounce some stuff because your tracks are limited and you can’t run plugins. I don’t think there will be a direct ALS import but who knows. And even if not it’s still improves my workflow a lot.

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#26

Force seems designed as its own ecosystem - self contained with updates/additions coming from AkaiPro. Any connection to some app/workflow outside of that ecosystem will work, but will not be as keen as one would want.

I can see the interest in Force as a standalone. But this is also why I won’t be purchasing one. Too much reliance on one piece of gear.

FWIW

1 Like
#27

I have always had a sort of brain in my set up(RMX-1, MPC-2000, PYRAMID, Ableton/PUSH)

I think the Force could be a great peace of gear for improve jams and thought out songs. Its definitely on my interest list.

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#28

I bought this at launch and it’s been sitting around waiting for Akai to update it. Last month they made some nice improvements to the automation/modulation capabilities including Elektron-ish step sequenced automation. This article just came out which describes the upcoming Ableton control and on-board arranger.

#29

Just a necro bump…
How did the update work out, I have been considering getting an Akai force.

#30

Not being an Ableton user I cannot give much feedback on that. Buy I am really enjoying the experience. It feels very easy to use, very similar to push plus live (when I used to have them). No song mode yet is a total bummer though. I like how quick it is to knock up an idea, I need to RTFM though as some things arent so obvious to me. Automation is cool, can paint in modulation. I haven’t experimented with the random event functions but vids on YT make it look useful.

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#31

Thanks! I need a new controller for ableton and I was thinking it would be nice to also have something to play background tracks live.
I’ve used Ableton for a few years and my hope was for only a small adjustment in workflow.
:smiley_cat:

#32

I bit the bullet on one of these. Hopefully I’ll have some impressions to share once I’ve had some time with it.

I did have a question for anyone here who has one, as I can’t seem to confirm: Is there a way to “reamp” content from the unit through outboard gear? I want to be able to bounce stuff through my modular and record it back in real time, but it’s not super clear from my reading if that can be done.

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#33

I don’t have a force, but do have an MPC and can confirm that on MPC it’s straightforward. You make an audio track with inputs corresponding to your return audio inputs. You similarly route the audio you want to process to whatever outputs go to your processor (if you are processing the output of external devices controlled via midi or CV, you need to do this routing outside the box). You record arm your return track and master record, then when you hit play your audio to “reamp” will be output or otherwise triggered as the track plays and the input will be recorded to audio. I don’t know if this also applies to Force, but on MPC, audio tracks can only record 5 minutes in one take, so if what you want to process/rerecord is longer than that, you’ll have to do multiple takes with punch in (which worked reasonably well, assuming the result is consistent).

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#34

Thanks! I know the units are different, but they share enough under the hood that I imagine it should be quite similar. Glad to hear it should work. I’ve read that there isn’t currently a song mode, but there is a longer “arrange mode” in beta; I don’t know how/if that will change recording length. Will find out!

1 Like
#35

The arranger has been in beta forever. Akai are being very guarded about an eta for the update. I think a spanner was thrown in the works when Nick left. He seemed to really evangelise about the force as an instrument itself.

#36

Mmm. That’s unfortunate. I hope it makes it out the door eventually, given… /gestures everywhere

#37

For those who like adding randomness to your pieces, you can do some quasi-random tweaks to track length for individual clips.

Example, create a 2 measure clip with a note playing on each beat. Create a second track and create and identical 2 measure clip with a note playing on each beat. You can create as many tracks like this as you want.

Then select the clip in Track 1 and go into Clip editor. Tap on an option in the “Loop Length” settings and change. Example, tap the 3rd setting and change to “75”. In Track 2, make that setting “50”. In Track 3, make it “25”.

Now when you play the scene, the tracks will gradually become offset, firing theirs notes at differing times.

What’s interesting is that you can make adjust to each clip in a track. So Scene 1 can all play full 2 bar lengths. Scene 2 can be offset. Scene 3 can be offset in a completely different way.

Not precisely randomness, but this can produce some interesting results.

2 Likes
#38

Just took mine back to local Guitar Center for return and put more money into a proper ableton rig. Using external midi on the force is painful. Didn’t want to hold my breath for the arranger- I know it’s in beta, but it has been in beta for a very long time.

#39

Push2 is a little long in the tooth. But, no doubt, Ableton/Push2 is a very complete workstation if that’s what you’re looking for.

Ableton/Force is a pretty decent combo as well.

#40

Another thing that I was missing on the force- follow actions.