AKAI PROFESSIONAL FORCE (01) PDF Document

To set up and power on the AKAI PROFESSIONAL FORCE:

1. Connect the included power adapter (19 V, 3.42 A, center-positive) to the Power Input jack on the rear panel, then plug it into an electrical outlet.
2. Secure the power adapter cable to the Power Adapter Restraint to prevent it from accidentally unplugging.
3. Press the Power Switch button to turn the unit’s power on.

Note: Before connecting devices or turning the hardware on/off, make sure all devices are switched off.

The top panel controls perform the following functions:

• Display: Full-color multi-touch display. Touch to control the interface.
• Menu: Press to open the menu.
• Master Volume: Adjusts the volume level of the Master L/R outputs.
• Play: Starts transport playback.
• Stop: Stops transport playback. Double-press to immediately stop all sound.
• Record: Starts or stops transport recording. Press Shift and this button to view Record Configuration.
• Undo: Undo the last action. Press Shift and this button to Redo.
• Load: Opens the Browser to load projects, clips, etc.
• Save: Saves project, sample, or track.
• Matrix: Opens Matrix View (8×8 clip overview).
• Clip: Opens Clip View. Press Shift + Clip to open Track Edit View.
• Mixer: Opens Mixer View. Press Shift + Mixer to open Pad Mixer View (for drum tracks).
• Navigate: Opens Navigate view. Press Shift + Navigate to open XYFX View.
• Cursors: Move the Matrix View/pads by one row/column. Shift + Cursors moves by eight rows/columns.
• Shift: Accesses secondary functions.
• Data Dial: Scrolls options or adjusts values. Press to Enter. Shift + Turn adjusts in finer detail.
• –/+: Increase or decrease selected field values.
• Assign A/Assign B: Assign tracks to crossfader A or B grouping.
• Crossfader: Mixes between clips assigned to A or B.
• Assignable Knobs: Control parameters. Press Knobs button to cycle banks.
• Clip Launch Pads: 8×8 velocity-sensitive pads to launch clips or play notes.
• Scene Launch Buttons: Launch the corresponding scene (row).
• Launch/Config: Sets pads to Launch mode. Shift + Button configures Launch settings.
• Note/Config: Sets pads to Note mode. Shift + Button configures Note settings.
• Step Seq/Config: Cycles through Step Sequencer views. Shift + Button configures Step Seq settings.
• Edit Buttons (Select, Edit, Copy, Delete): Hold button and tap a pad/track to perform the action.
• Arp/Config: Enables Arpeggiator. Shift + Button configures Arpeggiator.
• Tap Tempo: Tap to enter tempo. Shift + Button opens Tempo window.
• Track Selectors: Select a track. Shift + Button sets Global Quantization.
• Master: View Master and Return channels.
• Assign Mode Buttons (Mute, Solo, Rec Arm, Clip Stop): Set the function of Track Assign buttons.
• Track Assign: Applies the selected Assign Mode to a track.
• Stop All Clips: Stops all clips when they reach the end.

To launch a single clip:

1. Press the Launch button to ensure pads are in Launch Mode.
2. Tap a filled clip pad (lighted pad). The pad will blink green to indicate it is active.
3. While in Launch mode, pressing another clip in the same track will start playing that clip after the next bar (or quantization setting).

To launch a scene (a row of clips):

1. Press the corresponding Scene Launch button located to the right of the row of clips.
2. This will launch multiple clips across tracks in that same row simultaneously.

To stop playback:

• Press the Stop button to stop transport playback.
• To stop a specific clip while playback continues: Press the Clip Stop button (Assign Mode), then press the Track Assign button for the track.
• Press the Stop All Clips button to stop clips in all tracks.

You can assign Tracks to the crossfader to transition between clips.

1. Press and hold the Assign A button and press the Track Assign button for the desired track. An ‘A’ icon will appear on the track name.
2. Press and hold the Assign B button and press the Track Assign button for a different track. A ‘B’ icon will appear.
3. Use the crossfader to blend between the clips by moving it from the A side to the B side.

To clear crossfader assignments, hold Shift and press the Assign A or Assign B button.

To enter Clip Edit Mode, press the Clip button or press Menu and tap Clip Edit.

Common Edit Functions:

• Adjust Clip Length: Use the Start, Loop Start, and Loop Length fields.
• Launch Quantization: Tap the Launch Quantization field and use the data dial to set timing (e.g., 1 Bar, 1/8 Bar).
• Launch Mode: Select Toggle (start/stop with press) or Trigger (restart with press).
• Timing Correct: Tap the TC button to quantize events.
• Looping: Tap the Looping button to enable/disable. Hold Shift and tap <<Loop or Loop>> to shift, or /2 / 2X to halve/double loop size.

For Audio Clips (Region View):

• Trim: Use Loop Length to set size, then tap Trim Clip.
• Warp: Tap the Warp button to adjust tempo without changing pitch.
• Edit Waveform: Use tools (select, pointer, scissors, mute) to edit the waveform.

For MIDI Clips (Event View):

• Add Note: Tap Pencil icon, then tap grid.
• Erase Note: Tap Eraser icon, then tap note.
• Move Notes: Select notes, tap Nudge, use data dial.
• Transpose: Select notes, tap Transpose, use data dial.
• Velocity: Tap Velocity, use data dial.

1. Load a sample to a clip launch pad.
2. Press Clip to open Clip View.
3. Tap Region to open Region View.
4. Tap the Warp button to enable warping.
5. Tap the Detect button to open the Edit BPM window.
6. Set the BPM by pressing Detect (auto-analyze), using Tap Tempo, or entering the BPM manually.

To Rename a Track:

1. Press Matrix.
2. Double-tap the track name at the top.
3. Tap the keyboard icon under Name, enter the new name, and tap Do It.

To Rename a Clip:

1. Press Matrix.
2. Hold Edit and press the clip launch pad.
3. Tap the keyboard icon next to Name, enter the name, and tap Do It.

To Save a Project:

1. Press Save (or Menu > Folder Icon > Save As).
2. Select the storage device (Internal, Force Documents, or USB drive).
3. Select a folder or create a New Folder.
4. Tap the File Name field and enter a name.
5. Tap Save.

To open the Browser, press Load or press Menu > Browser.

1. Filter Content: Tap the Content tab and select the file type (Audio Clips, Plugin Presets, Midi Clips, Kits, Samples, Projects).
2. Search: Tap the Search bar, type a keyword (e.g., “kick”), and tap Do It.
3. Preview: Turn the data dial to scroll. Tap the Play button to preview. Enable auto-preview by tapping the Speaker icon and highlighting Auto.
4. Load: Select a file and tap Load.
5. For drum kits, select a track, enter Note mode, select a pad, and load a sample to that specific pad.

Press the Mixer button to open the Mixer.

• Adjust Volume: Tap and drag the volume slider, or tap it and use the data dial.
• Adjust Panning: Tap and drag the Pan slider, or tap it and use the data dial.
• Mute/Solo: Tap the M or S buttons.
• Insert Effects: Tap the Inserts & I/O tab. Tap an insert slot (+), double-tap to view the list, and select an effect. Tap the pencil icon to edit parameters.
• Sends: Tap the Sends tab to adjust send levels.

1. Connect headphones to the Phones output.
2. Open Mixer Config (tap Settings in Mixer or hold Shift + Mute/Solo).
3. Set Solo Button Behavior to Cue Tracks.
4. Adjust the Cue Mix knob on the front panel to blend between Master and 3/4.
5. Press the Solo button.
6. Press the Track Assign button for the desired track (an S icon with headphones will appear).
7. To disable cueing, press Solo and the Track Assign button again.

1. Create an empty clip in a track.
2. Press Rec Arm, then press the track’s Track Select button to arm it.
3. Press Note to enter Note Mode.
4. Press Rec (Overdub) to start recording.
5. Play the pads to record notes.
6. Press Rec again to stop recording.

Note Configuration: Hold Shift + Note to configure scales, chords, and root notes.

Press the Step Seq button to cycle through modes:

• Drum Mode: Top 4 rows are steps; bottom left quadrant selects drum sounds; bottom right selects velocity.
• Melodic Mode: Top 4 rows are steps; bottom 4 rows are notes in a scale.
• Lanes Mode: Each column is a step; each row is a different pad/note.

To sequence:

1. Select a track and create a clip.
2. Press Step Seq.
3. Select a sound (e.g., press a drum pad in the bottom left of Drum Mode).
4. Press pads in the step area (top rows) to insert notes.
5. Hold Shift + Step Seq to configure Step Size, Velocity, and Scale.

In Matrix Mode, tap the + icon at the top of the screen (scroll right if necessary) to open the Add Track window.

• Audio Track: Select Audio. Set Input source (Input 1/2). Check Record Enable if desired.
• Drum Track: Select Drum. Loads samples to pads.
• Keygroup Track: Select Keygroup. Plays samples chromatically.
• Plugin Track: Select Plugin. Contains an instance of a synth plugin.
• MIDI Track: Select Midi. Sends MIDI data to external devices. Set MIDI Channel and Port.
• CV Track: Select CV. Sends Control Voltage/Gate to modular gear. Set CV/Gate ports.

After selecting the type, tap Do It.

1. Open the Browser (Menu > Browser).
2. Select the storage device you wish to format.
3. Press and hold Shift and tap Format Drive at the bottom of the screen.
4. Tap OK and then Format to confirm.

Warning: This will erase all content on the drive and set it to exFAT file system.

You can install a standard 2.5” SATA drive (SSD or HDD) for internal storage.

1. Ensure the AKAI PROFESSIONAL FORCE is powered off.
2. Locate the SATA drive panel on the bottom center of the unit. Remove the screws with a Phillips-head screwdriver.
3. Gently pull the SATA connector and cable out.
4. Connect your SATA drive to the connector. Ensure a secure connection.
5. Use four 3x5mm mounting screws to secure the drive to the panel. Do not overtighten.
6. Place the panel back and secure it with the original screws.

Note: Formatting to exFAT is recommended for robustness across Windows and macOS.

1. Press Menu > Looper.
2. Set the Input Source (Input 1,2 or Resample).
3. Adjust Gain so the meter doesn’t peak.
4. Set Bars to define loop length.
5. Tap Rec/Record to arm.
6. To Record:
   • If Record To is set to Overdub: Tap the Play button (triangle) to start recording immediately.
   • If Record To is set to Play: Tap Play to start the transport, then tap Overdub or Replace to start recording.
7. To Stop Recording: Tap the Play button.
8. To Export: Tap Export to save as a sample/clip.

To enable the Arpeggiator, press the Arp button.

To configure settings, hold Shift and press Arp:

• Action: Set to Arp, Note Repeat, Rhythm, or Pattern.
• Time Division: Set note value (e.g., 1/16).
• Note Length: Adjust note duration (1–100%).
• Velocity: Set velocity behavior (As played, Full, etc.).
• Swing: Adjust swing amount (50–75%).
• Arp Mode: Set Pattern (Up, Down, etc.), Octaves, and Variation.

1. Connect the USB-B port to your computer.
2. Press Menu.
3. Tap the Computer Icon in the upper-right corner.
4. Tap Computer Mode to switch.

To return to Standalone Mode, press Standalone on the touchscreen and confirm safely ejecting drives.

• Launch Mode: Pads trigger clips. Columns are tracks, rows are scenes.
• Note Mode: Pads play musical notes or drum sounds.
  • Drum Note Mode: 4×4 quadrants for drum pads.
  • Melodic Note Mode: Chromatic, Scales, Chords, Progressions layouts.
• Launch & Note Mode: Split view. Top 4 rows launch clips, bottom 4 rows play notes. Press Launch and Note buttons simultaneously to enter.
• Step Sequencer Mode: Pads act as step buttons.
  • Drum: Top 4 rows steps, bottom left drum pads, bottom right velocity.
  • Melodic: Top 4 rows steps, bottom 4 rows notes.
  • Lanes: Columns are beat divisions, rows are different pads/notes.

Trim Mode allows cropping start/end points of a sample.

1. Go to Sample Edit Mode.
2. Tap Trim/Chop until it says Trim.
3. Use Start and End fields (or drag S/E markers) to set the active region.
4. Use Loop settings to loop a region between Loop Start and End.
5. Use Process to apply edits like Discard, Delete, Silence, Extract, Normalize, Reverse, Fade In/Out, Pitch Shift, Time Stretch, etc.

Chop Mode divides a sample into slices.

1. Go to Sample Edit Mode.
2. Tap Trim/Chop until it says Chop.
3. Select a Chop Method:
   • Manual: Insert slices manually.
   • Threshold: Auto-detect based on volume.
   • Regions: Divide into equal lengths.
   • BPM: Divide based on tempo bars/beats.
4. To convert slices to a program, hold Shift + tap Convert. You can create a new drum track using slices, assign slices to a pad, or create a patched phrase.