Akai FORCE User manual

User Guide
English
Manual Version 1.0

2
Table of Contents
Introduction .............................................................6
Support..............................................................6
About This User Guide.....................................6
Important Notes ...............................................6
Setup ........................................................................7
Features...................................................................8
Top Panel ..........................................................8
Display .......................................................11
Rear Panel.......................................................12
Front Panel......................................................13
Tutorial ...................................................................14
Starting Up ......................................................14
Launching Clips ..............................................14
Editing Clips & Tracks....................................17
Clip Edit Mode ...........................................18
Region View ................................................... 20
Event View...................................................... 22
List View......................................................... 23
Track Edit Mode ........................................24
Renaming & Saving ........................................27
Using the Browser .....................................29
Mixing Tracks .................................................30
Cueing Tracks............................................32
Recording Clips ..............................................33
Recording with Note Mode........................33
Recording with the Step Sequencer .........35

3
Operation...............................................................37
General Features ............................................37
Control Types ............................................37
Knobs .............................................................37
Parameter Values............................................38
Drop-Down Menus / Lists ...............................38
Selectors.........................................................39
Buttons...........................................................39
Checkboxes....................................................39
Tabs ...............................................................39
Sliders.............................................................40
Envelopes .......................................................40
Event View Tools.............................................41
Audio Region Edit Tools ..................................42
Pad Modes ................................................43
Launch Mode..................................................43
Note Mode......................................................44
Drum Note Mode ........................................44
Melodic Note Mode ....................................45
Launch & Note Mode ......................................47
Step Sequencer ..............................................48
Drum ..........................................................48
Melodic.......................................................49
Lanes .........................................................49
Tracks ........................................................50
About Tracks ..................................................50
Audio Tracks...................................................51
Drum Tracks ...................................................52
Keygroup Tracks.............................................54
Plugin Tracks ..................................................56
MIDI Tracks.....................................................58
CV Tracks .......................................................59
Menu ..........................................................60
Save............................................................... 61
Preferences .................................................... 62
Info............................................................. 62
Wi-Fi .......................................................... 62
Bluetooth ................................................... 63
Sequencer ................................................. 63
Sync .......................................................... 64
Hardware ................................................... 64
Project Defaults.......................................... 65
Project Load/Save...................................... 65
Record/Export............................................ 65
General ...................................................... 65
Sync............................................................... 66
Mode.............................................................. 66
System Resources.......................................... 67
Timing Correct (TC)....................................68
Metronome (Click/Metro)...........................70
Automation ................................................71
Arpeggiator ................................................72
Effects........................................................74
Overview ........................................................ 74
Insert Effects................................................... 76
Pads .......................................................... 76
Keygroups.................................................. 77
Tracks........................................................ 78
Masters...................................................... 79
Send/Return Effects ....................................... 80
Pads .......................................................... 81
Keygroups.................................................. 82
Audio and Plugin Tracks............................. 83
Plugins .......................................................84
Bassline.......................................................... 84
Electric ........................................................... 87
Hype .............................................................. 91
TubeSynth...................................................... 96
Standalone vs. Computer Mode..............103

4
Modes............................................................104
Matrix Mode.............................................105
Step Sequencer .......................................107
XYFX Mode..............................................111
Navigate Mode ........................................114
Browser....................................................115
Clip Edit Mode .........................................118
Clip View.......................................................118
Event View ....................................................120
Editing Events...........................................123
Region View..................................................128
List View .......................................................131
Track Edit Mode ......................................135
Drum Tracks .................................................135
Master ......................................................138
Samples ...................................................139
Pan Velocity..............................................146
Filter/Envelope ..........................................147
LFO Modulation ........................................148
Effects ......................................................150
Keygroup Tracks...........................................152
Master ......................................................153
Samples ...................................................156
Pan Velocity..............................................162
Filter/Envelope ..........................................163
LFO Modulation ........................................164
Effects ......................................................166
Plugin Tracks ................................................168
MIDI Tracks...................................................169
CV Tracks .....................................................170
Anatomy of an Envelope ...............................171
Sample Edit Mode ...................................172
Settings........................................................ 174
Trim Mode.................................................... 175
Assigning Samples ................................... 178
Processing Slices & Samples.................... 180
Chop Mode .................................................. 184
Converting or Assigning Slices.................. 187
Processing Slices ..................................... 190
Sampler....................................................193
Auto Sampler ............................................... 197
Looper......................................................199
Knobs.......................................................203
Screen.......................................................... 204
Project.......................................................... 205
Track............................................................ 208
Volume......................................................... 210
Pan .............................................................. 210
Sends........................................................... 210
Mixer ........................................................211
Volume......................................................... 212
Pan & Volume............................................... 212
Sends........................................................... 213
Inserts & I/O ................................................. 214
Pad Mixer.................................................215
Volume......................................................... 216
Pan & Volume............................................... 216
Sends........................................................... 217
Inserts & I/O ................................................. 218
Pad Color Mode.......................................219

5
Appendix..............................................................221
Effects & Parameters...................................221
Reverbs....................................................221
Delays ......................................................225
Flangers ...................................................229
Chorus .....................................................230
Autopans..................................................231
Tremolos ..................................................231
Phasers ....................................................232
HP (High-Pass) Filters..............................233
LP (Low-Pass) Filters...............................234
Filters (Other) ...........................................235
Parametric EQs........................................236
Distortions................................................238
Compressors ...........................................240
Bit Reducers ............................................241
Other ........................................................242
Glossary ........................................................249
SATA Drive Installation ................................254
MIDI Machine Control (MMC) .....................255
Technical Specifications .............................256
Trademarks & Licenses...............................257

6
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Force. At Akai Professional, we know how serious music is to you. That’s why we design
our equipment with only one thing in mind—to make your performance the best it can be.
Support
For the latest information about this product (documentation, technical specifications, system requirements,
compatibility information, etc.) and product registration, visit akaipro.com.
For additional product support, visit akaipro.com/support.
About This User Guide
This manual should help you get familiar with using the Force. For consistency, the terminology throughout is based on
the Force parameter names. We also used specific formatting to indicate particular topics of significance:
Important/Note/Tip: Important or helpful information on a given topic.
Names of buttons, controls, parameters, settings, and other options are written in bold characters throughout the manual.
Examples:Press the Play button.
Turn Knob 4.
Tap the Mute icon.
The Velocity ranges from 0to 127.
Set the Sample Play selector to One Shot.
Tap BPM, and then use the numeric keypad to enter a 120 as the tempo.
Some parts of this manual refer to other relevant chapters or sections, which are cited in bold, italic blue characters.
Click the text to skip immediately to that section.
Examples:Read the Important Notes section before proceeding.
For more information about launching clips, see Tutorial >Launching Clips.
To learn more about using send effects, see General Features > Effects > Send/Return Effects.
Important Notes
Read the included safety & warranty manual before using Force.
Before getting started and connecting devices to Force or turning the hardware on/off, make sure all devices are
switched off.

7
Setup
Here is just an example of how to use Force in your setup. Items not listed under Introduction > Box Contents of your
included Quickstart Guide are sold separately.
Remember to remove the protective film from the Force touchscreen!
Note: We highly recommend checking akaipro.com for any available updates to the Force firmware and/or drivers.
USB
Flash
Drive Power
Powered Monitors
SD
Card
MIDI Keyboard
Microphone
Headphones
Guitar
Synthesizer

8
Features
This chapter explains the features and functions of your Force.
Top Panel
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1. Display: This full-color multi-touch display shows information relevant to Force’s current operation. Touch the
display (and use the hardware controls) to control the Force interface. See Display to learn how to use some basic
functions.
2. Menu: Press this button to open the menu. You can tap an option on the menu screen to enter that mode, view, etc.
3. Master Volume: Turn this knob to adjust the volume level of the Master L/R outputs.
4. Play: Press this button to start transport playback.
5. Stop: Press this button to stop transport playback. Double-press this button to immediately stop all sound.
6. Record: Press this button to start or stop transport recording.
Press Shift and this button to view the Record Configuration window.
7. Undo: Press this button to undo your last action.
Press Shift and this button to redo the last action you undid.
8. Load: Press this button to open the Browser, where you can load projects, clips, and more.
9. Save: Press this button to save your project, sample or track, or to start a new project from scratch.
10. Matrix: Press this button to open Matrix View, an overview of your project with an 8x8 view of your clips.
11. Clip: Press this button to open Clip View, which gives you finer detail of a single clip.
Press Shift and this button to open Track Edit View, where you can edit
parameters of your drum kit, plugin, MIDI or CV tracks.
12. Mixer: Press this button to open Mixer View, where you can control each track's
volume, pan and send controls, as well as add plugin insert effects.
When using a drum track, press Shift and this button to open Pad Mixer View,
where you can control each pad's volume, pan and send controls, as well as add
plugin insert effects.
13. Navigate: Press this button to open the Navigate view, which gives you an overview of the entire project. Tap a
section to jump the Matrix view directly to that section, or use the cursors to move the Matrix View.
Press Shift and this button to open the XYFX View.
14. Cursors: Press these buttons to move the Matrix View and the pads by one row or column at a time.
Press Shift and press these buttons to move by eight rows or columns at a time.
15. Shift: Press and hold this button to access secondary functions on some buttons and display modes.
16. Data Dial: Turn this dial to scroll through the available menu options or adjust the parameter values of the selected
field in the display. Pressing the dial also functions as an Enter button.
Press Shift and turn this dial to adjust parameters in finer detail.
17. –/+: Press these buttons to increase or decrease the value of the selected field in the display.
18. Assign A/Assign B: Press one of these buttons and a Track Assign button to assign the corresponding track to
the crossfader A or B grouping.
Press Shift and press one of these buttons to clear all crossfader A or B assignments.
19. Crossfader: Use this crossfader to mix between clips assigned to the A or B grouping.
20. Assignable Knobs: Use these knobs controls track panning, track send levels, or other user-assignable
parameters. Use the Knobs button to change the active knob bank or mode (described below). The display strip
above each knob indicates the parameter it is controlling and its current value or setting.
21. Knobs Button: Press this button to cycle between up to two banks of knobs for the currently active mode. The
display strip above the knobs will indicate the currently active parameters.
Press and hold this button to quickly select one of several preset knob control modes.
Press Shift and this button to open Knobs Mode, where you can edit knob assignments.
22. Clip Launch Pads: Use the velocity-sensitive pads in this 8x8 to launch clips, play notes, and more, depending on
the active mode.
23. Scene Launch Buttons: Press one of these buttons to launch the corresponding scene, represented by the row of
clips to its left.
Press the Edit button and one of these buttons to quickly insert a new row, capture the currently playing clip(s) as a
new scene or clear a row.
Tip: While in any of the pad
modes, you can press and
hold the button for another
mode to momentarily switch
to that mode. You will return
to the previous mode when
you release the button.

10
24. Launch/Config: Press this button to set the Clip Launch Pads to Launch mode. In Launch mode, each pad
represents a single clip slot. The eight columns represent eight tracks while the eight rows represent eight scenes.
You can launch the entire scene by pressing the Scene Launch buttons to the right of the row of clips.
Press Shift and press this button to configure the Launch mode settings.
25. Note/Config: Press this button to set the Clip Launch Pads to Note mode. In Note mode, you can use the pads to
play a configurable scale of MIDI notes.
When in Note mode and using a Keygroup, Plugin, MIDI or CV track, press and hold this button to select different
play modes, such as scales, chords, progressions and more. When in Note mode and using a Drum track, press
and hold this button to select a time division for note repeat.
Press Shift and press this button to configure the Note mode settings, such as scale and root note. You can also
press and hold this button to quickly select a mode.
26. Step Seq/Config: Press this button repeatedly to cycle through three different pad views for using the Step
Sequencer.
When in Step Sequencer mode, press and hold this button to quickly select a step sequencer view, select a Step
Sequence page, or change the step size.
Press Shift and press this button to configure the Step Sequencer's settings.
27. Edit Buttons: Press and hold one of these buttons to edit a clip or track according to the following:
•Select: Press and hold this button to view the currently select clip. While holding, tap another Clip Launch Pad
to select another clip. This button can also be used to select a drum pad in a drum kit or select a note in the
Step Sequencer without sounding the note.
•Edit: Press and hold this button then tap a Clip Launch Pad or Track Selector button to edit a clip or track,
respectively.
Hold this button and press any Scene Launch button to open the Edit Row window, where you can quickly add
or clear rows in the Matrix.
•Copy: Press and hold this button to copy a clip or track. While holding, tap the Clip Launch Pad or Track
Selector button of the clip or track you would like to copy, then tap a new pad or button to copy it.
•Delete: Press and hold this button then tap a Clip Launch Pad or Track Selector button to delete it.
28. Arp/Config: Press this button to enable or disable the internal Arpeggiator, whose rate is based on the current
Tempo and Time Division settings.
Press Shift and this button to configure the Arpeggiator's settings.
29. Tap Tempo: Tap this button at the desired rate to enter a new tempo.
Press Shift and this button to open the Tempo window, where you can enter a new tempo.
30. Track Selectors: Press one of these buttons to select a track, represented by the column of clips just above it. The
right-most button (labeled Master) selects the Master track.
Press and hold Shift and then press one of these buttons to select a Global Quantization setting: None, 8 Bars, 4
Bars, 2 Bars, 1 Bar, 1/4, 1/8, or 1/16.
31. Master: Press this button to view the Master and Return channels.
32. Assign Mode Buttons: Press one of these buttons to set the function of the
Track Assign buttons when pressed:
•Mute: Press this button to mute the track.
•Solo: Press this button to solo the track.
•Rec Arm: Press this button to record-arm the track.
•Clip Stop: Press this button to stop the clip that is playing in the track.
33. Track Assign: Press one of these buttons to apply an assignment to a track, represented by the column of clips just
above it. Use the Assign Mode buttons to set the assign function.
Press and hold Shift and then press one of these buttons to access secondary functions, printed below the buttons.
34. Stop All Clips: Press this button to stop all clips when they reach the end.
Tip: Hold Shift and press Mute or
Solo to open the Mixer Config
window, where you can set the solo
button and crossfader behaviors.