Akai Professional, part of the inMusic family, has announced Force, a new standalone instrument with clip launching, step sequencing, sampling, synths, and a 7-inch multi-touch display. This hybrid production/DJ performance device eliminates the need for a computer and is the first standalone music production device that captures a desirable clip-based workflow.

Many DJs and producers have been waiting for a device like Force to materialize. With modern functionality and an intuitive workflow, Force takes features found in units like Akai’s MPC and Ableton Push, as well functions from Ableton Live, and fits them into a single device, all while being totally free from a computer.

Force features an 8×8 RGB clip launch matrix, a 7-inch full-color multitouch display, and  touch-sensitive knobs with graphical OLED displays.

Additional features include time stretching/pitch-shifting in real time, a comprehensive set of onboard effects by AIR Music Technology, TubeSynth, Bassline, and Electric synth engines, and an additional synth called Hype that combines several different synth engines into a single easy-to-use package.

Force also has the ability to record eight stereo tracks.

All key features include:

• Standalone – no computer required
• 8×8 clip launch matrix with RGB LEDs
• 7″ color capacitive multitouch display
• Mic/Instrument/Line Inputs, 4 outputs
• MIDI In/Out/Thru via 1/8″ TRS inputs (5-pin DIN adapters included)
• (4) configurable CV/Gate Outputs to integrate your modular setup
• (8) touch-sensitive knobs with graphical OLED displays
• Time stretch/pitch shift in real time
• AIR effects and Hype, TubeSynth, Bassline and Electric synth engines
• Ability to record 8 stereo tracks
• 16GB of on-board storage (over 10 gigs of sound content included)
• 2 GB of RAM
• Full-Size SD card Slot
• User-expandable 2.5″ SATA drive connector (SATA or HDD)
• (2) USB 3.0 slots for thumb drives or MIDI controllers

Later in March, Akai says that they will introduce integration with Ableton Live and Splice. With Ableton compatibility, you’ll be able to see and command Ableton’s clip matrix, mixer parameters, and device parameters in Ableton Live’s workspace via Force’s touchscreen and rotary encoders/OLED displays. With Splice integration, users will have immediate wi-fi access to their own Splice library directly from the touchscreen.

Coming in at $1,499 USD, the Akai Force will be available in the U.S. on February 5, 2019 and available internationally later in February. To read more, visit Akai’s website or check out their YouTube page for more tutorials.

We can’t wait to see Force in action at the big NAMM 2019 show. Will you be attending? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think of this new standalone production instrument.