Akai MAX49 USB Controller Keyboard: Akai ’s new 49-key controller the Akai MAX 49 – set to be debuted at NAMM 2012 – could be the perfect solution for those of you looking for serious control over the DAW of your choice built into a pro-musician-level keyboard design.
Notably, Akai has seen fit to arm it with AkaiConnect auto-mapping software, intended to help you set every fader and MPC pad on the unit to your exact specifications, and making the endless jog wheels and mouseclicks a thing of the past while you’re putting together your arrangements.
Akai MAX 49 reaches new heights
The MAX 49 has been designed as a professional studio controller keyboard, sporting MIDI, USB MIDI, and CV & Gate connections depending on the system it’s being integrated into, and as well as boasting velocity-sensitive keys and touch faders also comes with a full range of DAW transport controls – you won’t have to step away from this keyboard while you’re concentrating on your production, then.
Akai has built in eight faders in total (which, in conjunction with four recallable banks, brings your total possible control to a healthy 32 functions), making use of an ingenious touch design that allows you to neatly bring your mapped parameters up and down as you wish. Alternatively, you can also touch any point of the fader to immediately jump to a value, illuminated by the LED design, for a little extra convenience.
In addition, there are 12 MPC pads for quick beat and sample triggers, and again a four-bank system means that as many as 48 individual triggers can be accessed quickly and easily – the mapping of course comes in handy here too, so you can have your drum and sample library allocated properly in no time at all.
In addition, there are 12 MPC pads for quick beat and sample triggers, and again a four-bank system means that as many as 48 individual triggers can be accessed quickly and easily – the mapping of course comes in handy here too, so you can have your drum and sample library allocated properly in no time at all.
As a keyboard it’s a powerhouse in its own right, with smooth rubberised wheels to control pitch and modulation and a latched arpeggiator for good measure. Those who prefer to program entirely with hardware will also be particularly pleased with the on-board step sequencer.
For powerful levels of creation and levelling the MAX 49 is already streets ahead of a great many competitors – that it’s also a musician-quality studio controller keyboard can only be a good thing. If it’s time to start seizing hold of your audio projects, this is one of the first places to look.
