Akai Force: Beginner's Workflow Tutorial Walkthrough

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Edit: you can now download the project file for this and other tutorials, along with performances, by joining me on Patreon: / maxipokmusic
A member of the Akai Force Facebook group said the other day that they would like to see a workflow breakdown for beginners, that covered the thought process behind the various decisions you have to make when creating a track. This is my attempt at making that video - it's not so much a technical tutorial, more of a walkthrough of how I go about constructing the beginnings of a track. I did this on the fly, and the resulting music isn't great, but hopefully the workflow tutorial will provide some insight for anyone starting out on the Force.
The project file used in this video can be downloaded here: www.dropbox.com/sh/jhsfvz6fud...
Timecodes:
00:00 - Intro
15:15 - Sample building blocks and chops
10:00 - Recording drums
14:00 - Recording vocal chops
16:00 - Choosing and recording melodic synth parts
23:30 - Editing effects and panning
25:00 - Basic arrangement construction

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5 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 105

@tronlady1 2 года назад

It always bugs me how people press things quickly without explaining what they are doing on other force tutorials. This is bang on dude.

@timweakley6565 6 месяцев назад

The others like to show off their skills rather than teach like this mate is doing.

@187onasimp Год назад

This man must be a Jedi because he is one with the Force. I truly appreciate all your tutorials. I don't think that Akai realizes what puts people off on the Force is not understanding it's workflow and feeling more comfortable just getting a Live instead because it's more common place. I personally felt more at home on the MPC but the Force was completely foreign to me and Akai didn't have any tutorials that explained anything as well as you have. I again appreciate your work in making these tutorials.

@MaxipokMusic Год назад

Ha, thank you! I’m glad the videos are useful. To be honest I started making them because when I first got the Force there weren’t many good tutorials out there, so I just sort of started documenting my learning process! Akai definitely haven’t out as much support in place as they do for MPC users…

@juansanchez3140 2 года назад

Love this tutorial. Best one I’ve watched . I’m a total beginner and this really helps. Please do more , that would be greatly appreciate. Cheers from Sacramento California.

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

Hey, thanks! I’m glad you found it useful. I am working on a couple of new ones so they will be posted soon. Hope all is well in Sacramento 🙂

@CasualFPV 2 года назад

I never get sick of your voice bro

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

Thank you. My number one thing with these videos is to try and make them as concise and un-annoying as possible!

@alfreddawson3765 2 года назад

Brilliant tutorial! I'm hope for a part 2 where you go a bit more in depth with arrangements and performance.

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

Thank you, I’m glad you found it useful! Those are the exact 2 subjects I had in mind to do next, so those videos are on the way. Have a good weekend 🙂

@JohnnyJohnHub 2 года назад

Finally some put very clear tutorial how ot works. Thanks for that.

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

I’m glad you found it useful, and thanks for leaving a comment! 🙂

@ketilerichsen 2 года назад

Great tutorial. You fill a gap in the current selection of RU-vid Force videos. Please make more. Subscribed.

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

Thank you! I’m glad you found it useful. I’ve got a couple more in the works which will be out soon, so watch this space 🙂🎧

@AutisticCuriosity 2 года назад

Absolutely love this ….. so helpful definitely THE BEST tutorial on creating a track on the Force RU-vid . Not bothered about the length! Voice is clear and succinct no waffling involved! I’ve leaned so much from listening to this one time through… next to recreate it. Thank you for talking the time and effort necessary!

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

You’re very welcome! I’ve been meaning to start making longer tutorial-type videos for a while and your questions on FB spurred me to do it, and I’ve learned a lot from the process. I’m really glad it’s been useful for you! 🙂

@AutisticCuriosity 2 года назад

@@MaxipokMusic So my challenge now will be to re-create what you’ve done … add to it and post the Result… this will mean that I will actually create something rather than just buying more gear! Might be a bit slow - learning to be A & E nurse messes with my musical dreams but - stuff like this you’ve done keeps me balanced and in one piece - thank you! 😀

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

Well all the best with the nursing journey, that’s a truly important thing so I hope you nail it! Absolutely post what you come up with, I want to see that! Other people listening to your music is what it’s all about! 😀🎧

@just_pierre9730 2 года назад

This is a really great tutorial for a starter, a good basis. Hope te see a lot more tutorials, you are a good teacher with a pleasant voice. Subscribed!

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

That’s very kind feedback, thank you I appreciate it! I’m working on some more Force tutorials which will be live soon 🙂

@MurderousKaburdacus 10 месяцев назад

Thats brilliant that mate. Cheers. Just bought one today and although im used to push and have a MPC X etc thats really helped me. Thanks again. Appreciate it. And great channel

@MaxipokMusic 10 месяцев назад

No problem! Really glad it was useful and hope you are enjoying Force so far 🙂

@thomk7678 2 года назад

Nice job, man

@bjh3661 2 года назад

Quantising drum loops into 1/8th notes. I thought that was MY secret for slicing! Ironic virtual high-five.

@abuelojeff9036 10 месяцев назад

thxs for sharing, I'm superb newbie

@nilesh100975 2 года назад

man, you took your time for this great tutorial, ...awesome job and it shows the power of this machine excellent 🙏🙏👍👍🎶🎶✨✨!! thank's for sharing maxipok, have a great day my friend!!

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

Cheers Raiders! Yeah it was a bit longer than my usual videos, back to normal next time! Have a good one mate 🙂🎧

@sasatakac7825 2 года назад

Very good ! Thank you !

@FRANCCO32 2 года назад

I am a total force clueless beginner This video is the best beginner tutorial I have come across so far in its presentation I understand why you did not want to bore the viewers with previewing patches and sample etc. However it would have been helpful for me to see how you selected the patch/sample and loaded it for recording and editing Thank you though all the same this was very helpful for me! I look forward to more from you👍😃

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

Hi, thanks for the comment! I’m really glad you found this useful, and I totally get the part about loading presets etc. I’m working on some more tutorials at the moment, and one of them is a ‘first day with the Force’ thing for absolute beginners, so watch this space 🙂

@dlinnoedlinnoe 2 года назад

Your voice is fine :) Thank you very much for the tutorial! All is clear and easy to repeat.

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

Thank you! I’m glad you found the video useful 🙂

@davidkelly831 2 года назад

Super content, thank you 🙏

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

Thanks for watching! 🙂

@trevormalcolm4328 2 года назад

Excellent video.

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

Thank you! 🎹

@stujay 2 года назад

Really useful, thanks

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

Thanks for watching, I’m glad you found it useful! 🙂

@lz-o3720 2 года назад

Big up! Great video!

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

Thanks, I’m glad you found it useful! 🙂

@smanseau Год назад

I don't have my Force yet (ordered but it might take a couple weeks to get it). Came on your channel to "pre-learn" and dude... you actually improved my MPC game!

@MaxipokMusic Год назад

Ha, I’m glad it helped! Have fun with your Force when it arrives, it’s a beast!

@jlnmyr 2 года назад

Thank you so much for your mistakes! Being a consummate mistake maker myself, I really need to see how you work through them. This is where I get tripped up with overly polished tutorials.

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

Ha, no problem! I make a ton of mistakes every time. I’m actually working on a tutorial video that gives a few tips on setting your project up in a way that makes it easier to perform. I’ll post that as soon as it’s finished, and I’ll put in some failed attempts to show the process at work 🙂

@jonathandent3445 2 года назад

Cheers for your video it's convinced me to buy an MC-707 the workflow looks clunky and the synths and effects I had in Pro Tools over 10 years ago and didn't like them then.

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

Well, I’m glad it helped you make a decision! Agree with you about the synths, the 707’s sound engine is fantastic. I found the sequencer / clip matrix very clunky though, and sample editing is quite limited too. There’s always a trade off I suppose…

@gossamyr 2 года назад

that groovy beat reminds me of something Carla Azar would do(AutoLux), super cool vid, ty

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

Thanks, I’m glad you liked it! I don’t know Carla Azar, I’ll look them up. Thanks for the tip! 🙏

@monsieurgatman 2 года назад

Perfect tuto thanks ;)

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

Thank you!

@strickles1960 2 года назад

Thank you from Belgium Europe

@tronlady1 2 года назад

You keep apologising for the track being bad but I think it’s really cool. A lot of modern stuff I hear all sounds the same but this sounds original!

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

Thank you! I still feel a bit weird doing tutorials about the music-making side of things rather than technical stuff 😬

@sillyworm Год назад

Getting ready to open my box.Even though you say this is for beginners it seems to be for those that have had some hands on discovery.All the steps and button pushing...how would anyone know what to do WITHOUT a tutorial? I sure hope there is an undo option.Thanks...I will rewatch many times and attempt to follow your examples.That idea for a TOTAL VIRGIN tutorial is much anticipated!

@MaxipokMusic Год назад

Hi! I made this video for a complete beginner, it assumes no prior knowledge and will get you started from scratch. Enjoy your new Force! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-0BCfk2BVa6A.html&feature=share

@luyx. 2 года назад

thanks

@colindavis2113 2 года назад

I love your approach to making music. I watched some of your video on space and think this is a very important concept and one I was applying before even watching it. The music is actually the space between the notes, not the notes you play. Forgot who said that. Subscribed and cheers!

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

Thanks Colin that’s really nice feedback, I appreciate it! Yes I’ve heard that quote, maybe it was one of the jazz guys? Not sure, but it’s definitely true. Thanks for the sub too 🙂

@colindavis2113 2 года назад

@@MaxipokMusic hell yeah man, you’re welcome. Keep it up! My force is coming in this week so I’ll be tuning in 🤘

@pnluther 3 месяца назад

I thought you were going to start with a beginners level? Guess not. Anyway thanks for taking the time for making this. Maybe I'll eventually be able to understand.

@questube1967 2 года назад

Thank you for this, does the force have any type of song mode that would play your song start to finish with out having to manually move it along?

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

Yep, if you enable ‘record to arranger’ and play through your song once, it will capture the entire performance. You can then play it back as-is, or go in a tweak parts etc. It also allows you to bounce the song out as a stereo mix, or individual tracks.

@georgesbahia 8 месяцев назад

Merci beaucoup. Muito obrigado Bravo 👏 👏 👏

@bryantwalley 2 года назад

Thanks for the vids. Following your playlist but the next two are marked private.

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

Thanks for watching! Those are just failed uploads that won’t delete for some reason. RU-vid was quite glitchy last week. There are more videos on the way though, so watch this space 🙂

@craz1974 2 года назад

Brilliant video once again. Is that a Behringer UMC of some sorts you've got hooked up?

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

Thanks! Yep it’s the UMC404HD. I’ve had it for years and it’s always worked flawlessly, really good bit of equipment. It works great with the Force too, no clicks / pops etc.

@craz1974 2 года назад

@@MaxipokMusic Nice, I've got an UMC202HD hooked up. Mainly because of switching from PC to Force and back. And to not accidentally fry the mic input using phantom power. Only thing I dislike is that the UMC clicks quite loudly when I turn it on. My KRKs pop when it does it.

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

@@craz1974 Yep it’s a very good idea to avoid the Force XLRs I think. I had that popping with the UMC plugged into my pc. Just by accident I plugged it into a different USB port and it stopped doing it, and my monitors don’t do the thump when I turn the computer on. No idea why the ports behave differently, but it solved the issue for me!

@jmfhsmith4923 8 месяцев назад

So how many clips can you have per track? Could I record 50 drum patterns and chain them all together in a song mode or arrangement?

@ugotoscano162 Год назад

Hi I signed good work...I have a force i Need of your help. How i can play a sample that i recorded with a Akai keyboard during my dj set? Please help me

@MaxipokMusic Год назад

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ik7NyY0g8hE.html

@tronlady1 2 года назад

There seems to be a lot of steps to just record a clip? Always gets me as well. I think there’s a way to just press rec and then start playing but not sure?

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

Yes you are right, it was me being clumsy. I kept forgetting to launch the clip before hitting record. User error on my part!

@tronlady1 2 года назад

@@MaxipokMusic I think there's a way to do both with one press??

@elissitdesign 2 года назад

Bought one of these damn things as a goof after seeing the latest update. It’s been on my radar for sometime but the project didn’t seem finished. One thing they cannot fix with updates I have is a hardware issue. I wish the unit had more inputs and outputs. I have loads of hardware that I want to hook directly. One solution could be a breakout box that they make with a snake of in/out connectors.

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

If you find the main Akai Force Facebook group, the folk in there have made lists of the audio and midi interfaces that are compatible with the 3.1 update, that might help you sort your ins and outs 🙂

@bryantwalley 2 года назад

Tascam Model 12

@craz1974 2 года назад

Something I noticed is that you are using a Delay on an insert. Of course the result counts, but usually delays are used as send effects. Or you could've used the Hype synths delay on the pluck. Any thoughts on this?

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

The honest answer to this is that I don’t really know what I’m doing! I’m self taught so I don’t have that basis of knowing things like delay should be a send effect. I use sends when I run out of inserts, and I’m sure that’s all wrong, but because I think about things in groovebox terms, I rarely go above 8 tracks so my mixes aren’t very complex! 😀

@craz1974 2 года назад

@@MaxipokMusic there is only one thing that counts really: whether you're having fun making music. And I believe your videos help people do just that.

@MakingMadBeats 2 года назад

Interesting that you put the drum-roll chop on the one of the drumbeat. Confused me at first 🤣

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

You’re not the first person to say that! It was a mistake, I didn’t realise I’d done it until quite a while in, but figured it didn’t detract from the tutorial so I left it in. If I’d been making a piece of music I probably would have changed it. Nice spot though! 😀

@Rxke 2 года назад

Thank you. First impression, the 3.1 manual seems to be full of inconsistent remnants from older Firmware versions and pretty dang unusable to jump right in. 8 minutes into your tutorial and I already have a deeper insight to the innards of the beast than docilely following the manual and dicking around with that demo... Clean slate for the win, definitely!

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

Thanks, I’m glad you found it useful. Yeah the manual is a bit of a mess. Mind you, I don’t think any of the music gear companies make good manuals any more…

@Rxke 2 года назад

@@MaxipokMusic I usually *never* read manuals for musical instruments, but for once I made an exception. It was a very, very frustrating and time consuming mistake... One just feels this is a deep, well thought out machine, but the manual does its absolute best to make you think the workflow is utter garbage... Very weird.... Watching your video, I've yelled some expletives because you show basic stuff the 'getting started manual manages to actively steer one away from..... '

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

Ha, I’m glad I made you shout expletive for a good reason! I’ve had quite a few similar comments, so I think I might do an absolute beginner, ‘your first hour with the Force’ tutorial to help people get up and running with the basic concepts. Seems like that’s missing at the moment. Thanks for watching and the feedback 🙂

@SticksAandstonesBozo 10 месяцев назад

How coke just pressing save didn’t bring up the menu ? Mine doesn’t do that. I have to select save project on screen.

@MaxipokMusic 10 месяцев назад

Long press

@coreygros766 6 месяцев назад

I can’t even load samples into the drum track idk what I’m doing wrong. I wish you would have shown that step…it shows it loading but I have no sound. I can go to sample edit and see the sample waveform…

@MaxipokMusic 6 месяцев назад

If you are trying to load a sample to a drum pad, tap the pad you want. Then go menu > track edit. Tap the ‘samples’ tab at the bottom. On that page you’ll see a box that says Layer 1. Tap that, and it’ll let you navigate to the samples you have loaded into memory.

@RhymePractice 10 месяцев назад

Can i loop pads in note mode on a drum track

@MaxipokMusic 10 месяцев назад

There’s a pad loop function in the track edit screen, but I haven’t experimented with it so not entirely sure how it works…

@softsmoken 2 года назад

Is there a way to automate after you launch first row to get it to just move thorough each row after playing each row whatever number of times you set it to?

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

Not at the moment. It’s one of the most requested features though, so hopefully it will come in a future update.

@softsmoken 2 года назад

@@MaxipokMusic it seems like such a simple thing to add, i mean is there another way to have like a full "song" mode kinda thing that'll play a whole thing? I mean i guess at least you can set it to launch in set bars and hit it early and it'll time it to launch correctly right? ... but still. And thanks so much for your time and the helpful videos. I really appreciate it.

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

@@softsmoken It’s a weird omission for sure. It has launch quantise which lets you set when new clips / scenes will start after you trigger them, up to 8 bars. And you can record a performance into the arranger, so essentially you hit record to arranger and just perform the song, and everything is captured - clips and scene launches, mutes, parameter tweaks etc. You can then play that entire performance back, or bounce audio (full mix or individual tracks) out as audio. So it has a very comprehensive song mode, which makes the lack of scene chaining even weirder!

@softsmoken 2 года назад

@@MaxipokMusic haha... oh geez. I'm still learning how to use the thing right now with microfreak minibrute 2s hydrasynth desktop and a i dunno what to call it a "capable" eurorack, and ableton on a Mac and cubase on a pc the computers I haven't used at all really other than firmware/content. I need to learn more of the deep synth functions in general. I come from playing bass guitar for years but wanted to create entire songs/ projects things by myself or contribute to a variety of work.

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

@@softsmoken I came to it the same way, I was a bass player for years. My advice would be to disconnect everything and just spend a couple weeks making music on the Force. Use its internal synths and the sampler, properly get your head around its sequencer etc. Then add the external stuff back in. The Force is a great central hub, but there are always quirks and little problems that pop up when using it with external gear, and I think if you don’t know the Force well, sometimes you won’t know whether you’ve hit a limitation or if it’s just a case of a setting being wrong somewhere. I see that happen all the time on the Facebook groups!

@user82938 2 года назад

Found it odd that you started the measure with that fill. It was like you put the 1 on the 2. You played everything else along to it, so it sounded right, but it was kind of a strange choice.

@MaxipokMusic 2 года назад

Yep you are absolutely right. That was basically a mistake and if I’d been making a piece of music I probably would have changed it, but I figured it didn’t detract from the tutorial so I stuck with it. It bothers me though! 😬🙂

@user82938 2 года назад

@@MaxipokMusic Haha, yeah the track came out sounding good. It was just a technical thing no one could ever notice just from listening to the final product :)