Just picked up my Key 61 today... I don't even want to try convincing anyone to get it because I would be wasting my breath. You REALLY have to have this in person to understand the feeling you get making music on it. You gotta want it. Made tracks exactly like what was in my head. Just amazing. Premium feeling and just inspiring overall.

Fantastic video. I ordered one last week from Sweetwater but looks like I won't get mine until the end of the month. I wanted something to use that would make it easier for me to sample/drive my hardware synths and also not be in front of the computer with a mouse and keyboard. I figure with this and a simple stand I can move it anywyhere (garage, backyard, living room) and not be tied down to my PC. Sometimes the best inspiration is to change your environment. Perfect.

Hands down best video I’ve seen so far on the board, thank you for sharing in depth

Excellent real world review! Impressive musicianship by the way. Love the time you spent on the keybed. This unit has me intrigued.

Excellent. Nice video. This is answering alot of the questions I needed to be answered. Very informative and easy to listen to. Not boring and you flow through the explanation.

This Video!!! The comparisons to other top keyboards…The explanation of effects utilization, the MPC UI knowledge, the musicianship, the clarity in explanation, the straightforward pros/cons, This hands on honest review…AKAI, you may owe this man something.

I watch a lot of youtube review videos (on random stuff), but I've never seen so much dedication to one as you did. Thank you for that!

Very thorough review. Looking forward to more videos, and seeing how you incorporate all the gear together.

Great video. You articulated it perfectly. Just ordered one... can't wait to see some more content on the Key 61 so I can understand it better.

Man what a great review. This synth is for me !!! Thanks a lot !!!

Outstanding review! Thank you for the highly informative comparison to other workstations on the market!

I’m so excited thank you 😊 Darrick!

For someone that is not a trained keyboard player and just wants to make 'songs' this seems like the ideal setup. For those who are not live musicians and just want to put down tracks and construct something that sounds current it's the perfect fit, all the while being powerful enough for the studio producer and experienced musician alike (within certain limitations and let's face it, limitations can push an experienced musician to be more creative, just like how you use the pads to overcome instant transitions). Personally I have not been into music making for several years and always wanted to get back into it but computer DAWS just don't do it for me. I always wanted to have everything in front of me to get the creative juices flowing and this seems like the perfect 'compromise'.

I just picked this keyboard up for a grand, this is a very complex many possibilities, keyboard. As a guitarist, I needed a versatile sequencer with the Ability to play midi and WAV files into a mastered song. This keyboard is awesome and great, sounds with endless possibilities with its hardware and software capabilities.

You always do an excellent review and in debt

For audio book production and all my other projects this is the keyboard that will do it I believe.. Your expertise is taken into consideration because you've been there and done that. Very appreciated.. Subbed and love the channel!!

Love your playing. It makes education and insight you are providing so much more enjoyable, and you know its coming from someone who knows what they are talking about! Instant subscriber.

Got mine! Love it. Now what I REALLY need is some of your talent!! Great video as always.

The best review of the MPC key 61 on YT? Great job! The MPC key 61 is a game changer!

Great review! I'm so stoked about this keyboard! After using a Yamaha EX5 and Roland SP-808 years back, I was like 'why can't these get fused together?' And Akai looks like they read my mind! Just love the look, the features, and the intelligence behind this gem!

Darrick thanks for a great overview and demonstration of this new production powerhouse Akai MPC Key 61. I think Akai has a gamechanger!!!

I really like the way you described the features while comparing them to other devices instead of just a list of the features themselves. It helps put into perspective of what you are getting for your money. I enjoyed your review style. TY for posting this vid.

Fantastic review! Very detailed and finally a review from an actual keyboard player. Great playing too!

This is how you do a review! Thank you so much for sharing, it helped me a lot! Subbed!

One of the best reviews I’ve ever seen on a keyboard. I immediately subscribed! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

So many of us have competing workstations .. This is a great idea .. Great video

Amazing video. How you play with nails is astonishing. Everything is possible!

Thank you for this. Def gonna get one. Love your channel.

Very detailed overview. I think this is what I'm looking for...

Finally been waiting for this one excited!

I love this video. I have learned a lot about this through your comparisons to your other boards. brilliant

Excellent job as always Darrick!

Derrick, wow. Such a great job on this video.

Darrick, excellent video thank you so much ! man you are a great player tapped into many different styles ! AWESOME

Great Job Darrick , well put together and you really explained throughly. This video really have you consider options and make logical decisions on what board to buy👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽😉

Best review I’ve come across in a looooong time!

Thanks for sealing my deal man....this was AMAZING! =)

Just found this review this afternoon after ordering my mpc 61 just this morning. After watching this I know I made the right decision. Thank you for this brilliant review and your expert playing! I can't wait for my mpc 61 to arrive!!!

Great video, I'll just add one detail: You can hold the SHIFT + MENU button to get to the BROWSE sounds mode, what is so special about that? Well you can PRE-LOAD sounds for your entire LIVE performance it there into memory so you don't have to wait for the LOAD times for your performance, just thought I'd throw that in here, otherwise I really enjoy your review Darrick, I have the MPC Key 61 too as well as Montage, and various Rolands with the Supernatural engine. MPC KEY 61 is the easiest workstation I've ever used, but it's also insanely deep, there are so many hidden quick gems to learn, lots of specialized shortcuts that Reviewers are just about to find out about.

Usual quality video again Darrick. I love the way you get half way through a sentence then get distracted by the piano and beautiful chords ensue 😀

awesome , that was a great overview and fantastic playing

Hi Darrick, I was watching other KZfaq channel reviews on keyboards workstations etc, and most people were making me frustrated because they don't actually tell you what the real pros and cons of having various keyboard workstations, even when they have "how to instructions" and comparisons, they don't really go into telling you what the real practical differences and advantages are. And then you came up in the search where I actually asked KZfaq for "akai MPC 61 keys functions and buttons" . And that's where you turned up and I'm so glad I found you, and I am now a subscriber. So glad you mentioned all the keyboards. I myself I've always been a Roland fantom fan and I fell in love with the G Series fantom because it has so many features that are similar to the akai MPC 61 keys along with 40 seconds of skip back sampling, various auto chop methods for samples, as well as manual chopping for samples, real-time time stretch, 128 linear track sequencing along with 24 audio tracks, recordable automation of various parameters including that of the effects, parameters. And back to the the audio tracks the G Series has a separate mixer and effect inserts for those audio tracks and much more. Also better ram memory expansion etc and I can go on and on but, I had the 2019 Fantom however, I was forced to sell it for the reasons you mentioned. Such as the limited non linear sequencer and basic poor sampling capabilities. And so stuck with my G Series Fantom. I most say I do think the Fantom sounds really really excellent, and has much more better Daw integration, although limited to logic AND Appleton (I think it would have been good if they included Cubase, Studio One, FL Studio, Reason and Reaper, I use Reaper). Anyway just want to congratulate you on doing the best explanation on KZfaq by far regarding the pros and cons and comparisons of keyboard workstations and I thank you so much for that... big big big big big up and bless One love.

Great great video! I’m sold!

This was a very thorough comparison with other boards. You really make one think of many features that are/are not found in other boards. Still sitting on the sideline and watching and listening.

Congrats! You did explain thoroughly the most important features music makers are looking for in a workstation. I will definitely consider this as an addition to my KORG EK-50.

Amazing video, covering everything! Very impartial opinion with pros, cons, everything! Tks for sharing with us!

Great review and so detailed

Bro. What chops! Great vibe! Thank you for sharing!

By far the best review of this keyboard. Well done.

Single, most useful video of the Akai MPC Key 61 I've seen so far. The first 18 minutes especially was an awesome staccato of data. I write this as a nervous owner to be, awaiting delivery of the most expensive musical item I've ever purchased. Your coverage/review was most reassuring in its honesty, and I loved you getting lost in the sounds available. Thank you.

One of the reasons I haven't ditched my old Motif ES7 is because switching between sounds is instantaneous, totally critical for live sets. Thank you for calling that out!

This is a terrific video - glad I made the time to watch. The in depth comparisons and analysis to other workstations adds objectivity. I found your Sequencer, Track & Instrument footage (starting about 33:00) to be the most helpful in terms of this keyboard's workstation value and user-friendliness. You're also a great player. Thanks.

Stay blessed brother we love you and thank you for the wonderful video

Great overview!

Hi Darrick, many thanks for your loyality and fairness in this video, which I've enjoyed a lot. Not to mention your wonderful skill by playing - it was really, really impressive how your hands fly on the keys. Please go on. Music is fantastic. Take care, Sergio

As usual you give a great review

Love to see this kind of MI gear expertise and in-depth analysis from a brotha. Subscribed. There are things that the garden variety caucasian vlogger's cultural blindspot misses, and they tend to only respect/reference rock approaches to production.

Love the playing and the more lenghty look at it.

While watching this, didn't realize I had already subscribed to the channel awhile ago lol. Instant comparisons by rote memory of other keyboards (Some I'm looking at). Masterful tutorial/review, by an excellent keyboard player. Love how Derrick over-came the load time issues by using the pads. Genius. Makes this gig worthy. Hey Akai, pay the man ! (I hope they at least gave you a free keyboard). 😀

The best overview of this fine instrument. Thanks!

“Most powerful review on the market” I’ve watched this video start to finish, I’ve gone and ordered one. Can’t wait to check it out 🎉

Great review of this keyboard workstation...💯👍

excellent overview of this awesome beast of a keyboard! my son just finally saved enough for one and just got it. all i can say is wow 😮 we have both just been pretty much in sonic heaven, it’s that good! well worth the price imho and we just barely started scratching the surface of what it can do! Look forward to checking out your other videos and thx again for the inspiration!

Nice playing and saying Darrick. Thanks.

Excellent review from the perspective of a pianist / producer. In your future videos covering this keyboard, please review and talk about polyphony related matters eg. how many instruments can be loaded into memory at once (only one at a time vs multiple instruments and their "patches"), which instruments have the lowest and highest polyphony, and if more than one instrument can be active in RAM, the maximum polyphony available for all "patches" across all loaded instruments. Thanks and keep up the good work!!

You were showing out with those strings 💪🏾🔥🔥🔥

Great detailed honest review thank you

Great movie as usual. 😃 Another tempting keyboard. I don’t think anyone else is going to answer this in that price range. My guess is the price on this will be going up soon as the fantom 0. If they had made this 7476 key I could see a lot of other keyboard trade ins on the market You went above and beyond on this review. Love your videos!

Best Akai MPC Key 61 review ever, very comprehensive and very honest

As always great video! 👍

Brilliant review!

I have one on order. I am going to use this for music composition and recording. What I still think I will do-is do the final mix in the DAW, only because of the ease of doing it in the DAW. But, everything prior will be on the Akai only-including over dubbing, which is the key element. In the past I have found over dubbing can take a song from one direction into another, and if you save all the different takes, you can pick and choose the best-which could be vastly different than the original take. I just wish I didn't have to wait until August to get it. I already have 10 songs ready to go.

I had a QS8 and I loved it, this is a nice machine for what my musical needs are. Definitely putting in my order today. Wish the keys were fully weighted but I can live with the semi weight.

U sold me on this bro!!!

Great video, and great keyboard. This really is a game changer for production and home studio use. Though, I'm a live musician, and for live play, I think this falls short. Without sliders and panel synth controls, and with the loading lag, etc etc, I don't have much use for this. And when I'm doing detailed studio work, I'd want to use a computer anyway.

Your playing is beautiful. Great video!

Hi Darrick. This is an exceptional review on all accounts. Boy did you cover every aspect to allow viewers to make an informed choice. That Akai looks very good by all accounts. As for your keyboard playing.... Next Level 🎹. Subscribed! Have a great day 🙂.

Darrick, Based on this video for Productions this is a must-have! Unbelievable the very best video on the Akai MPC KEY 61. I TOTALLY agree with your Pros and Cons! You maximize the use of all the Capabilities of a Keyboard workstation. Remarkable comparative analysis vs the Major Workstations of today! You expose powerful and additional ways to use MPC Key 61. A Gold MEDALS Tutorial🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇

Wow, what a player, and great video full of information 👍 thank you 🎹

Darrick, I have been doing a deep dive on this and I cn say you do your homework before you do your videos. In other words, you do the hard work before you speak. I just wanted to let everyone know! Best of luck in 2024!

Great review!!!as I am new to your channel and I subscribed..will continue to support you!!and your playing is immaculate and inspiring..

What a great review!

So at this point you seem to have the most comprehensive comparisons. Your depth of experience with the gear is apparent. Not everyone can afford all the gear, so I value your opinion. Thanks for getting the gear, and thanks for testing.

Awesome player Sir😁 love the tutorial.Wow 🤗

I have to say the MPC-X is awesome for my application in the studio HOWEVER, if traveling and to just jot down a few lines via the keyboard is handy too. Great clip!

you nice on the keys!!! great video!

Awesome playing bravo 👏

nice overview. some nice playing skills too.

great work sir. cheers

Preach brother!! Great review! And yes.... This is the one! Let's just call the key 61 "Neo".. the one!

Thank you, you broke it down very well... also your a GREAT piano player!!!

Darrick...👌👌Good Explaination....

This is one of the best combos workstation and keys out there In my opinion. I own a mpc live 2 one of the easy thing I ever learned how to use for real . I’m still learning after only 4 months

stringswerk at 29:00 i bow to thee. Unless Roland/Korg do some serious updates on Fantom-0 and Nautlius then Im sold. Hoping for an 88 key version but will pair with TS12 if not. You totally changed my mind.

Thanks for the review from a 'player's perspective! I like your positivity but also how you have highlighted the cons. I have a prophet xl which also streams large multisamples and I think it's the way to go for akai as well. As a non-mpc user I would also like to see someone showing how to use the keygroups to play the instrument because I think this also opens up a new world of sounds next to the plugins. Oh yeah and the epiano is called a Pianet not a Planet ;-). I had one, way back (the poor man's rhodes)

Man I really appreciate your review of this and how you are comparing it to other keyboards etc. You can easily be a sales rep at a music store and sell alot you tell it instead of sell it but the way you tell it it begins to sell itself. That's the key to selling. Tell it but don't sell it and let the telling sell the product. It goes to show you know the products well and easy for the customer to make a decision based on facts versus hype up sales promo statements

Darrick, good to see you my friend. The Key 61 is a powerful piece of kit, just wish Akai would have released it sooner, since keyboardists really needed a production focused keyboard and not a performance oriented one like the big three have been doing recently. Thank you Akai for this piece of fine machinery. The MPC was always great and getting better, but having to attach a separate keyboard and all the cabling with that always made me think they needed to release a keyboard themselves. I'll be honest, Akai's keyboards haven't been the most popular, due to many reasons, but this one is different, it's a success for keyboardists who want that all in one functionality. I was hoping to give you a video idea that you can use: Performance synthesizer vs Production synthesizer. Which one to choose? How the big three are focusing on performance synths (K2700, Montage, Fantom and younger brothers) while Akai (and Korg but not too much) has been focusing on production based synths/groove keys (MPC Key 61, Force, Nautilus since it has a proper sequencer and audio tracks but lacking in editing functionality). The Nautilus is a workstation, so you can exclude it from the list, but its your choice. Notes which you can use and expand on: The production synthesizer is taken from the workstation's sampling and sequencing concept, but on steroids since it only focuses on those two primary features. So you get audio tracks, the 128 track midi sequencer and deep sampling and editing functionality. The front panel is suited towards that workflow. But it lacks the deep synthesis engines, live performance aspect and has loading times. You can guess the rest. The performance synthesizer is taken from the workstation's single tone and live/combi/performance concept, but now based around a mode-less design, and again on steroids for live performance applications with the front panel controls designed for live use. You don't get the 128 tracks of midi or audio, but you get an easy to use board with various deep powerful synthesis engines, simplified sequencer for live looping or laying down ideas and a rudimentary sampler for simple purposes. The workstations (Motifs, Fantoms, M3, OASYS and successors, Tritons) had too many capabilities which made them difficult to use. Therefore, each function was given its own mode. Live players loved the performance/combi/live modes as well as the single tone modes, and used the sampler to bring in their own sounds. Studio producers used the sequencer to lay down tracks, the sampler to record other instruments as audio and trigger them or put them into audio tracks, and didn't really use the live or single tone modes. Since the market research showed that majority of producers were moving to DAWs and keyboardists were switching to a soft-synth setup but still used workstations for their combi and single tone modes, keyboard manufacturers stopped with workstations and started working on performance synths. Roland was the first with the JP-80, but it flopped at the time. Yamaha came out with Montage and it was a big success, and then Roland came out with FANTOM, similar results as Yamaha. Korg are now working on a new product, but no one really knows what they are up to. Nobody seems to be focusing on high end production based hardware anymore, but all have moved to DAWs except for the MPC users. And here comes Akai with the Key 61. End of Notes. Add your own thoughts and ideas to it, and help everyone to decide whether they need to get a production or performance oriented synth, the ups and downs, who they are aimed and some more stuff. Many people have made regretful decisions on these brand new keyboards, and I believe a buying guide for these two categories will help clear up doubts. Oh, and mention your ideas and opinions on the future of workstations and standalone production. All the best!

Well, what do you know. Darrick knows the MPC Key 61 too. I have a lot to learn! Great video.

Thank you Darrick for this review. I have been waiting to hear your take on it. Considering the software and sequencer features are the same on all the MPCs from what I have heard..... and the Keybed being what it is, and the lack of sliders for on the fly fast adjustments....... hmmmmm. I think I just roll with the MPC one and use my Kurzweil K2700 and Roland Integra 7 and use the MPC mainly just for the sequencing features. In that Area ... the MPC does shine big time and the sampling as you stated. The Keybed to me would drive me nuts. Not only for the 61 keys but that dead light feel like it looks like it has. Not a taker for me. The sound transition delays can be overcome as you stated but....... thats another shortcoming that needs a work around and personally..... I have seamless with everything I have. The Board looks good though and if Akai comes out with an 88 version with weighted keys..... and also some sliders for basic control...... Then I would be there. Thank you very much for your work and videos. Excellent, Honest, Well thought through, and comprehensive . Much Appreciated. !!

Like the other mpc's, I believe the top is a hard plastic and the bottom should be a cheap pot metal material.. I don't have one but that is what it looks like and others have said. If you take off the SSD cover you can tell the bottom is metal. I could be wrong though but I think it is the same. Really great review!! Best I have seen so far!!