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Controllers => KeyLab MkII => KeyLab MkII - General Discussions => Topic started by: Seattle_transplant on May 06, 2022, 03:54:53 am

Title: Key step MKii 61 vs. Akai MPK261 - noob question - sequencer
Post by: Seattle_transplant on May 06, 2022, 03:54:53 am
Hi gang, if it痴 not already obvious, I知 new here.  Returning to music after 20 years of raising kids.  My question is about using as sequencer, lots of the music I listened to in the 80痴 had sequencers.

Apparently the Akai controller has a sequencer, maybe it痴 just a gimmick, but I知 not finding anything about a sequencer for the Key Step MKii.  Is there a way to do that type of thing natively on the controller or is there a plug in / download / application someplace to use for building sequences?  I understand that the Key Step MKii has a much better keyboard, etc. and I知 leaning this way anyway.

Thank you, hope you are all having a good day.

TF
Title: Re: Key step MKii 61 vs. Akai MPK261 - noob question - sequencer
Post by: amonti on May 06, 2022, 07:09:40 am
Hi TF - welcome back to music!

Before people chime in to offer suggestions, I can't help but notice that you appear to be conflating two products - KeyLab MKII and KeyStep. The KeyLab MKII is a MIDI and CV controller, plus a control surface for your favourite DAW/synth software and does not have an arpeggiator or sequencer, while the KeyStep is also a MIDI and CV controller, but is geared towards sequencing and arpeggiation. The KeyStep keyboards are excellent for sequencing and come highly-recommended if you want to concentrate on programming sequences without a computer as opposed to using a DAW (which I think is the approach most people take these days). If you want to use a DAW, then the KeyLab MKII is an excellent controller/control surface. By their nature, almost all DAWs will act as a sequencer, and most (but not all) will have an arpeggiator. The AKAI controller you mention has an arpeggiator, but does not have a built-in sequencer.

If you can clarify what you're after workflow-wise (e.g., standalone sequence programming vs. DAW), then I'm sure the group will be able to help.
Title: Re: Key step MKii 61 vs. Akai MPK261 - noob question - sequencer
Post by: Seattle_transplant on May 07, 2022, 05:59:45 am
Hi Thanks for your reply.  I definitely meant to say Key Lab, my fault, being old is hazardous.  Good news on the DAW, it sounds like I値l be able to do what I知 after.  I really wanted a set of keys that were more than an imitation piano.  I知 quite Ill these days and I知 hoping that learning / playing will give me something to focus on other than Netflix while I知 cooped up this summer.

Thank you again.

TF