Note Mode; Step Sequencer; Mixing Tracks - Akai Force Quick Start Manual

Note Mode

In addition to using the clip launch pads for launching clips, you can use them to play and record notes
chromatically as you would use a MIDI keyboard, or to play and record a drum kit. This is enabled by
pressing the Note button to enter Note Mode.
1. In the Deep House – Colors project, select Track 6 – Classic Bass. When using a melodic track
such as a Keygroup or Plugin, the root note or chord will be lit in one color, and the notes or chords in
between will be lit pale blue.
2. Select Track 2 – Top Loop. When using a drum track, bottom left quadrant of 16 clip launch pads
will be lit and can be used to play the drum kit.
3. Hold Shift and press Note to configure the Note mode settings for each track.

Step Sequencer

When recording drums, you can also use Force's built-in Step Sequencer to quickly enter note events by
using the clip launch pads as "step buttons," simulating the experience of a traditional step-sequencer-style
drum machine.
1. In the Deep House – Colors project, select Track 8 – Drum Kit and select an empty clip slot.
2. Press the Step Sequencer button to cycle between step sequencer modes for the clip launch pads.
Select Drum mode.
3. In Drum Step Sequencer pad mode, the top four rows of clip launch pads represent the steps in the
sequence. The bottom four rows are split into two groups of 4 columns.
Use the bottom left quadrant to play the drum kit. The last pad played will be selected for sequencing.
Tap any pad in the top four rows to insert the selected drum sound at that step in the sequence. The
sequence will start playing automatically when a step is inserted.
The bottom right quadrant is used to set the velocity of the notes. In this quadrant, select the bottom
left pad to set the velocity as played. The remaining pads, from left to right going up, represent
minimum to maximum fixed velocity.
4. Alternatively, press Menu and then tap Step Sequencer to use the display to sequence note events.
Editing Clips & Tracks
Now that you are familiar with the basics of launching clips, let's try editing clips and tracks for even more
customization of your project.
1. Press Clip to enter Clip Edit Mode, or press Menu and then tap Clip Edit.
2. In Clip View, you can view and edit the parameters of the clip itself, such as length, launch mode, and
quantization.
To select a clip, press and hold Select and press a clip launch pad.
3. Depending on the type of clip selected, you can also edit an audio clip using Region View or edit MIDI
note events using Event View.
In addition to Clip Edit Mode, you can edit the parameters of a track using Track Edit Mode. This mode is
not available for audio tracks.
1. Hold Shift and then press Clip to enter Track Edit Mode, or press Menu and then tap Track Edit.
2. Use Note Mode to select the pad or keygroup you would like to edit, and use the tabs of pages to
edit the different parameters available.

Mixing Tracks

Force's mixer allows you to adjust parameters such as level, stereo panning and routing the same way you
would with a traditional mixer or digital audio workstation.
1. Press Mixer to open the Mixer, or press Menu and then tap Mixer.
2. The Mixer contains four tabs of pages that let you control different settings for the tracks and master.
Tap and drag your finger to scroll through available tracks, or use the cursor buttons.
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