Akai Professional Advance 61 Keyboard Controller

Got this to replace a Native Instruments S49 MK2; and I feel very happy with it.The price, compared to similar devices, is much lower; but that does not mean that quality or features are lesser. Akai has issues with quality; and that is known, so you may get the occasional lemon; but their support takes care of everything, so you will get your problem solved.With that out of the way; the rest of what I have to say is mostly positive. The hardware feel solid; good keybed with semi-weighted keys; 8 LED pads, which can be customized as you prefer, 8 infinite rotary encoders, also customizable; extra buttons also customizable, and overall a very nice coating for the top part. The LCD screen is nice and bright; and while it is not the same quality of the one on the NI S49, it does its job.The keyboard has most of the features already customized for different DAW, like Logic, Cubase, Ableton and such; you can write your own profile, if your DAW is not there. Basically you send CC midi commands from the keyboard to the DAW, so if you are using a DAW that is not ancient and is moderately popular, you will be able to configure all buttons and controls in very little time. Fundamentally the keyboard act as generic midi controller, so if you can assign a control on your DAW, you can assign it to the keyboard.The keyboard has an integrated arpeggiator and scale utility, that you can configure as you see fit. For the scales you have multiple modes, and the only thing I wish was on the keyboard is lights on the keys, to see which keys are set for each scale; but it is not essential; since I always use the keyboard in an illuminated environment anyway.The screen allow you to control all the features from the keyboard; there is a knob with push button and a 4 way directional cross, that will let you modify parameters, modes and what not. Keep in mind that these are features of the keyboard; not of the software, so these works with any software you use.Then there is the software; which is OK in my opinion. I own other VST so what I get is mostly an extra. The main thing is the VIP software; which is borderline atrocious, but does its job. Fundamentally it is a sort of library for your sounds and VST; the app scan those instruments and sounds; and create a database, so you can recall these instruments from the keyboard. Most of the advanced features of the keyboard require you to use VIP; so keep that in mind.VIP works as plugin, so if your DAW can load VST, then you can load VIP in a track and use the keyboard advanced features. To be honest there are so many, and you can watch youtube videos about those; but in short, you can create multi, which are a mix of different plugins/instruments, that play together. It is a feature that none of the other midi keyboard in the sub-500 dollars range has, so very useful. I can use VIP no problem on both Logic and Ableton.VIP also has mappings for instruments, so if you load a VST like a synth; all your controls, knobs and buttons will be pre-mapped with parameters for that instrument. You can create your own mapping of course; but it is nice to use the out of the box setup. Keep in mind that the software is lacking on the profile aspect; so if Akai did not create a profile, you won't see your instrument in VIP. To work around, use the forum and get the user-created mapping for most of the famous VST out there; otherwise, you have to make your own mapping, which is time consuming but doable. Just a warning, in case you buy this keyboard and then complain that there is no support for this or that plugin. Check on the forum what is supported. Komplete 12 is partially supported, while Komplete 10 and 11 should be fine.The rest of the software is more synths; like Loom, which is great. You can check the single apps on youtube videos; although I think the base selection is quite limited to some synths, so if you don't make RB or techno stuff, you will feel like there are not that many great sounds. I use Komplete and it works fine for me.So in the end, the hardware is great; software is so-so, but for this price, you can't find a better deal, on a keyboard with LCD screen and multi functionality to layer sounds. The UI is pretty clean and most of the features are mappable; the buttons are nicely placed, and the onboard features are a bit clunky at times, but just a matter to get used to it.It is my 5th keyboard, and second Akai product, and I could not be happier. Fits the needs of the beginner that does not want to spend 700 for a professional keyboard, and the professional that want to integrate a solid hardware midi controller to his existing setup.To be honest, unless you are into Native Instruments ecosystem and use only that; there is no reason to spend almost twice as much for an S49, which does mostly the same things, but it is severely limited by the fact that NI is not that friendly when using anything but their own apps and Ableton/Logic.

//UPDATE: I have reduced my rating from 5 stars to 3 stars because the VIP Software crashes very frequently. Fantastic product, I just hope AKAI listens and fixes the crashing problems (reported by many others as well). FWIW, I use the VIP Software as a plugin in Ableton Live on a Mac//start original review//Amazon reviews are really underselling this keyboard. I tried both the Akai Advance 49 and the Komplete Kontrol 49, and the Akai was *way* better IMHO. Not sure what happened with a couple of the negative reviewers here, but for me the Advance did an incredible job recognizing all my Native Instruments Komplete 10 presets, and also presets from the included plug-in package. You do have to go into settings and make sure the VIP software is scanning all the appropriate plugins -- takes 5 minutes. Google it. I'd say even (especially!) if you have Komplete, the Akai is a better purchase, because the Akai is that much better... and because you get new plugins with the Akai. Here's a quick comparison of the advantages of each, and areas where they tie.AKAI Advance advantages:+ Much smaller footprint -- with the AKAI I can leave it on my desk and it's not a big deal. The Kontrol is too big and I'd have to keep it somewhere else and get it out when I want to use it+ Much better plugin support. Read other reviews, even though both keyboards support third parties, Akai has much better coverage right now. Partly because Akai can write all the presets in-house. NI is relying on third party developers to support the NKS standard... Notably, none of the plugins included with the Advance were supported by the Kontrol.+$100 cheaper+Big playable knobs and pads. I love these knobs. Kontrol has no pads.+Monitor free browsing. This is a big deal for me. I want to use this like an instrument, not a computer input -- I put my monitor to sleep and jam away.+Fantastic GUI and browsing user experience. This is not easy to do, but Akai really nailed it. I did *not* expect it to be anywhere near as intuitive and powerful. Browsing is tag based, so I can look up, say, all my Massive and Hybrid presets with a synth sound. I'm a stickler for design, and it's not perfect, but it far exceeded my expectations.+Pitch bend wheel. I much prefer this to the pad on the Komplete Kontrol. I also have a touchpad style control on my Ableton Push 2, so I didn't need another that style.+USB powered. Less cables for the win.Komplete Kontrol Advantages:+Slightly better support for NI presets. I did encounter a few NI Komplete presets on the Advance where the macros were not set up correctly. This was rare...+More minimalist on-screen UI+Light guide for scales+Screens right under knobs - easier to see what knob does immediately.AKAI + Kontrol tie:+ Both keybeds feel very similar to me. The Akai is not "stiff" as some reviewers have said. Reading reviews I expected the Kontrol to be much better -- it's absolutely not+ Included plugins. For me, because I own Komplete 10, the included bundle for the Advance was a huge benefit. But, if you don't own Komplete yet, the Komplete Kontrol includes a great starter set of plugins.AKAI with Ableton Push:I want to add that I'm currently using the Akai Advance alongside the Ableton Push 2, and they are a great complement to each other. The Push is great when you want to cheat and play key-locked, for drumming, step sequencing, using session view. The Akai is better for browsing presets, and for playing a traditional instrument. The hardest thing for me to give up on the Komplete Kontrol was the light guide, but with the Push I can see the keys played on the Advance light up in real-time on the Push... or, I can just play melodic parts on the Push if I want to cheat and have things locked-in-key. It's a killer combo, plus they look super sexy together (see pic).

I've been using this for a few months now for live performances. It works well (with a few software glitches that have generally been quickly corrected through updates). I primarily use Ivory and Omnisphere , but have found some good sounds in the libraries that Akai provides.I like VIP, but find myself foregoing that for Mainstage more often than not. I like the organs in Mainstage and the ability to quickly lay things out the way I want. Having all the knobs, buttons, and pads available on the keyboard to map the way I need is a big win. And when I want to use VIP, I can just load it up as a patch in Mainstage. Very cool.Update 04/2017: I see a couple of people didn't care for my review for whatever reason. Some additional context: I use this regularly (maybe 2 weekends a month) performing live with a Macbook Pro and a Peavey USB audio DAC (to plug in to the sound system). I use Synthogy Ivory, Omnisphere, and the odd patch included in the VIP bundle. As I noted above, I use Mainstage primarily (VIP has had some minor stability issues, but generally works okay - I just like the flexibility of Mainstage better). I also use a Mission EP expression pedal to control some of the sound parameters while I'm playing. That took a little time to find (supported pedals are not well-documented), but was well worth the effort to track down.I mean, I sort of get it - it's a ton of software (many gigabytes). Some of those plugins have to use the dumb iLok thing - but as crappy as that is, it's standard for pro-level audio packages.I still think this is underrated and don't really understand the vitriol. It works well.

It's amazing product if you're looking high-end midi device just go for it

1) Inside the box there is no ac adapter2) There is no disc for VIP software3) If you want Vip software it you can only download from their website, but their server is slow and unstable, so everytime i try to download the file, it just fails.4) I contacted the support and i asked if i could get the file from an alternative source, but they just told me they cannot (which is just their policy, not a technical limit).So there is ZERO customer careStay away from this crappy company. They are a total scam.1) il pacco arriva senza l'adattatore2) non c e' cd con il VIP software3) Il software si deve scaricare dal loro sito, ma il loro server e' instabile e lento e il file cade continuamente4) Ho contattato il supporto, chiedendo se avessi potuto scaricare il file da altra fonte, ma mi hanno detto che non e' possibile, (la ragione e' solo burocratica, tecnicamente non ci sarebbe stato alcun problema)La loro assistenza tecnica e' assolutamente ZERO.State lontani da questa azienda ridicola. Sono ai limiti della truffa.

Amazing unit. Easy to get lots of functionality even if you're not fluent in computers. Using mine with FL studios and Playground Sessions. Basic functionality is pretty much plug and play.

nach 3 Jahren geht nichts mehr. Angeblich Lizens Irrtum. Laut ilok software aber ohne Ablaufdatum. 💩💩💩💩💩💩💩 Nie mehr Akai!!!!!!!!!

Oh NO ! It's there !!!!!In Looooove ..... looooooooove !