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AKAI Advance 61 USB/MIDI keyboard

3.7 / 5

3 reviews

Discontinued, this product can no longer be ordered.

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AKAI Advance 61 USB/MIDI keyboard
Product no: 9000-0015-7498 Bax Music Warranty: This product comes with a 3-year warranty.

General

Over the years, USB/MIDI keyboards have become more and more comprehensive. There was a time when MIDI keyboards offered only a few simple options, but those days are gone. The Akai Advance 61 USB/MIDI keyboard is a perfect example - equipped with rotary encoders, backlit pads, transport buttons and more, this controller allows you to do virtually anything. The semi-weighted keys have a pleasant feel and the rubber coating of the pitch-bend and modulation wheels provides the necessary grip. It's the 4.3-inch colour display that really grabs your attention, though. Developments like these make the future seem very near, indeed!

Characteristics of the Akai Advance 61 USB/MIDI keyboard

The Advance 61 boasts a good deal of advanced - what's in a name? - technology. The USB/MIDI keyboard comes with the software package VIP (Virtual Instrument Player), a VST host for Windows and Mac that is compatible with nearly any VST. VIP functions as a stand-alone, but can also be run in your own DAW. Each VIP is capable of running eight VSTs, and you can use as many VIPs as your computer or laptop is able to support. VIP guarantees perfect integration with the Advance, opening up a world of possibilities. In essence, you'll be able to control your VSTs using the Akai USB/MIDI keyboard, which is particularly practical on stage, as you'll no longer need to have your laptop close by. Virtual controls with mapping for hundreds of common VSTs, layers, splits - you name it, the Akai Advance 61 delivers.

Additional possibilities

The more traditional characteristics of the Advance are up to the same high-end standard. Not only does the Akai Advance prove its merits on stage, it's also a great asset in the studio. This impressive piece of technology comes with no less than 16 GB of VSTs by AIR, SONiVOX and Toolroom Records. With more than 10,000 high-quality sounds, divided over nine plug-ins, at your disposal, you're able to start making music right out of the box. Are you looking for a great USB/MIDI keyboard with seamless DAW integration? The Akai Advance 61 is ready to get cracking!

Tips or comments about this product

Please note: the laptop is only pictured for illustrative purposes and will not be included with the Advance.

Specifications

Product features

Number of pads	8
Number of keys	61
Aftertouch	yes, monophonic
Functions	master section / transport, multi-coloured backlit buttons / pads
MIDI & other	MIDI in, MIDI out, MIDI over USB
Software included	yes, download
Type of keys	semi-weighted

Weight and dimensions including packaging

Weight (incl. packaging)	8,8 kg
Dimensions (incl. packaging)	102,0 x 42,0 x 21,0 cm

Product specifications

USB/MIDI keyboard
keys: 61
seamless VST integration
display: 4.3 inches (high-resolution, colour) for plug-in parameters
includes Virtual Instrument Player (VIP)
semi-weighted, velocity-sensitive keys with aftertouch
rotary encoders: 8x (with LED parameter setting indicators)
pads: 8x velocity and pressure-sensitive, with RBG lighting
transport/bank buttons
performance buttons
octave buttons
note repeat, time division and pattern arpeggiator
pitch-bend and modulation wheels (fitted with a rubber coating)
inputs for sustain and expression pedals
both USB and traditional MIDI connectors
includes sounds from Vacuum Pro, Loom, Hybrid 3, Xpand!2, Velvet, Transfuser and Eighty Eight Ensemble

Virtual Instrument Player:

compatible with nearly any VSTi
functions as a stand-alone player for PC/Mac
also serves as a plug-in in any AU/VST/AAX-compatible DAW
intuitive plug-in browser
control up to eight virtual instruments simultaneously
unlimited number of VIP instances in a DAW
key zoning: split, layer
custom mapping and mixing
mapping prepared for hundreds of common plug-ins

A review can no longer be written about this item

Reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews into English View original reviews

Onur T. August 30, 2017

Wrote the following about AKAI Advance 61 USB/MIDI keyboard

Prima om mee te werken.

maar HARTSTIKKE KUT! als je een MIDI apparaat hebt die zegt DIKKE DOEI tegen de DAW software en de hele tijd vastloopt en je van FL-Studio of AKAI forum geen support krijgt. Tevens kan BAX Shop hier niets aan doen maar ik vond wel dat de telefonische afdeling van bax shop over studio apparatuur of software toch niet alles weet, ook niet over FL STUDIO in combinatie met MIDI apparaten. Hiervoor is google.com toch een grotere vriend voor oplossingen. EN ik moet zeggen dat als je van Bax Shop telefonisch support wilt, je +/- 13 minuten moet wachten PLUS de afdeling waar je wilt belanden, kom je niet omdat alle telefoon gesprekken door de afdelingen lopen dus als je bij Studio apparatuur wilt belanden kom je bij DJ terecht die probeert je dan door te verbinden maar dat wil niet omdat alle lijnen bezet zijn en dan vraagt hij/zij je of ze je terug willen bellen wat een tegen valler is want je wacht al zo lang. Een 0800 nummer zou hier voor toepasselijk zijn en de pijn verzachten.

5 Ster voor FL studio

5 Ster voor Akai Advance 61

1 Ster voor combinatie FL Studio & Akai Advance 61

dirk d. December 30, 2015

Wrote the following about AKAI Advance 61 USB/MIDI keyboard

Ik heb de Advance 61 aangeschaft omdat ik:
- geen lichtjesbak wilden hebben :)
- kwaliteit (toetsen + draaiknoppen)
- 20% vermindering kreeg omdat de verpakking licht beschadigd was (verpakking was oké)
- softwarepakket VIP (veel mogelijkheden)
- 4.3-inch kleuren display

Met Cubase LE is dit een toptoestel !

K.C. M. August 21, 2015

Wrote the following about AKAI Advance 61 USB/MIDI keyboard

Mijn Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol omgeruild voor dit keyboard.
Omdat dat keyboard alleen maar werkt met hun eigen software.
Maar ook bij dit keyboard kom ik veel problemen tegen.

Als je bv de C1 en de D1 tegelijkertijd indrukt geeft de C#1 ook een geluid.
Keyboard al eens omgeruild voor een nieuw exemplaar maar ook het zelfde probleem.

Bij Bax weten ze dat hun voorraad advance 61 dit probleem heeft en toch staat het keyboard te koop ook al heb ik hun er voor gewaarschuwd.

De VIP software die je plug-ins aan stuurt zit vol bugs zoals het vast lopen er van.
Kort om het concept is leuk maar het werken er van een stuk minder.
Ik hoop dat mijn problemen snel verholpen zullen worden ik een nieuw keyboard krijg en het muziek maken makkelijker wordt.

Ik zal vast nu geen kans maken op een cadeaubon maar mijn ervaring delen vind ik belangrijker.

Limited Time Offer: Free Blackhole Plugin

Thursday 18 August 2016 By Lizanne

Have you always wanted a reverb plugin to play around with? And, have you always wanted to own one by renowned brand Eventide? You can, for a limited time only!

AKAI Advance Now with Free Effect Plugins

Thursday 21 April 2016 By Lizanne

Remember way back during NAMM 2015, when the AKAI Advance series was launched? You could integrate your plugins seamlessly with these comprehensive USB keyboards. Since then, they've become very popular, and AKAI has come up with an offer that's about to make them even more popular!

Akai VIP 2.0 for Advance Keyboards

Tuesday 8 March 2016 By Lizanne

Remember during the 2015 NAMM show, when Akai introduced three impressive Akai Advance USB/MIDI keyboards? These products truly usher in a new age where software seems to be gradually leaning towards hardware. The corresponding software is now available in version 2.0, and we're happy to give you an impression of what it can do.