My first impression of the M-Audio Code61 keyboard controller..

I have the Code 61 less than a week, after ordering it sight unseen.

I read a lot of comments and watched videos..

Some folks had problems but were clueless about setting up..

I have found none of the problems that some stated.

Opening the box and powering it up via USB...the Code 61 looks fantastic..

I originally wanted the white model, but M-Audio discontinued it...

they said it showed too much

and had to be cleaned often.

When I received the black unit it also looked great..

and controls were easily visible.

One of the main reasons I wanted the Code....

I wanted a good keybed, and I got it..

I read the hype about the keybed, and to my surprise... it delivered..

I was comparing key touch, namely the Akai advanced and

Native Instrument's Komplete

61 key models... but did not have the Code to compare with..

The Advance and Komplete were acceptable to me and

I hoped my Code would also

be acceptable... Bingo.. it surpassed the front runners..

In fact the action is better than other non controller keyboards...

like the Roland Junos, FA6, and all the new synth action models..

Same with the Korg and Yamaha synth actions..

It also feels better than many semi weighted piano actions from

Casio, Korg, Yamaha and Roland.. etc.


The fully weighted piano actions like the Roland RD2000 are unsurpassed..


The sliders, pads, knobs and buttons all feel good...

they do not feel cheap like lower end units..

Each of the sections (pads, sliders. knobs, buttons. and y/z control)

have multiple layers of functions ( Modes)..

The first 25 keys also have assigned functions...

The Code series has 4 zones that can be split or overlap...

Another feature..the Y/Z pad in HID mode

becomes a mouse pad and left/right click buttons..

This controller is deep....

and dos not have the gimmicky features

that Akai Advance and N.I. Komplete have..

The Code series is a players controller..


I use the Code61 with MixCraft 8 pro studio...

and I am super pleased..

Code comes with the downloaded Ableton live,

but I have no need for it..

There is a learning curve, but easily mastered..

The Code editor software helps you to easily set the programmable controls.

You can receive a preset from the Code61 ..

edit the parameters and send back to the Code61.

You can also name the preset (new). Save all 12 locations with your set ups

and rename them as you wish via the editor software.

Instread of a dozen presets that you have no need for.. replace them..


I got a bonus.... the Code 61 added control over my Roland EA7...

All CC settings work with edits,

the changes are visible on the EA7 screens...

and you can save the edited tones as user tones..

The Code adds a lot to realtime control with the EA7..


They are such a perfect match, that I am using the combo as my go to set up..


Thanks to Mike Arango at Sweetwater...

Fran congrats what a great review use it well

Thanks for your review...

Personally, i didnt like the keyboard action that much when i played it...
But then i am spoiled...

When it comes to Master controllers, i think the future is with those
That come with a dedicated VST host...
Like NI kontrol and the Akai advance
There also is an M-audio that supports Akais VIP host..

Bachus, my VST host is covered in MixCraft8...

I mentioned the weighted higher end keys were unsurpassed... but only for piano players.. other keyboardist want semi weighted, and the Code delivers here..

I am aware personal taste comes into play..

BTW: I meant to say NI Kontrol not complete.. the synth action on the Advance and Kontrol are second to Core61... The 88's are another matter, but average non piano players really don't care...

Also the lack of sliders is a foolish mistake on the Akai and NI..

They rather have the gimmicks..

https://www.google.nl/search?q=m+audio+vip&client=safari&hl=nl-nl&prmd=isvn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi6rOC825HWAhUKrY8KHXJeAcwQ_AUICSgB&biw=414&bih=628#imgdii=v8GdJ60hcFf-kM:&imgrc=aAqji5grNqxkBM:

The M-audio CTRL49 supports the VIP client and it has sliders..

Bachus why would "I" want an inferior keyboard to the Code61... to gain the VIP program .. I surly don't want or need the VIP..

MixCraft has all the same organization for me ..has better VST's and the DAW offers so much more....

I also need a 49 key controller..."Right"

Sorry we are on different pages..

BTW: since you are spoiled by heavy action 88's let me hear you play an organ sound realistically or a realistic sax .. or any other instrument other then a piano and a Rhodes...
The only reason we have heavy action...it was a design when piano was designed and same with Rhodes...

Most players will play decent piano sounds with semi weighted keys and also play all sounds with the same comfort on the same keys... I have never heard the opposite ... great B3 on piano action

I am pretty sure I am on the right path

Its not inferior as it is supposed to have a much better keybed... which is most important in a keyboard..


Piano action, is not just great for piano sounds... it also works very well for any other piece that requires much more controll and dynamics... for all really fast actions there is the pa4x semi weighted keybed... but on my (considered light) kronos piano actiion... most organ parts and anything else is still doable...

Bachus, the CTRL 49 is interesting..
I know it is a premium line, but what I refer to as inferior...is what I would give up compared to the Code61..

12 less keys to start ( even 61 is not enough .. I like 76)

8 less pads

No Y/Z pad

The CTRL49 screen is a nice touch (the menu driven not so much)..I rather use my 15.6 touchscreen...
There is no real gain to the CTRL49 screen... you still need a PC screen to use the DAW..


The keys are the exact keys used on the Code series.... It is M-Audio's best semi weighted action.. (If you don't like the Code keys, you won't like the CTRL keys.)

My opinion .. the CTRL49 is designed to be a studio controller...
small footprint... Menu driven VIP (time consuming)...
Where the Code61 makes a better all around keyboard... studio and stage.. More control and easier operation..

Both are great controllers, but the Code is better suited to my needs..

Fran I'm confused I thought the Roland EA7 was to fill your needs not to use the G70.....
why all this controller DAW stuff on a gig? please explain..?
or is this a quick moving phase to cure boredom
until you can get a BK9?

thanx

Apples to oranges

The E-A7 was my interest... as a new toy , and a quick easy set up for hour gigs and home studio quick access..

I chose it over every available current keyboard.. including the PA4x , PA900,(yes I have my reasons ;)) Casio models etc.. What it does for so little money is still amazing..

The G70 was never destined to be "replaced".. It is my overall choice to play... The E-A7 gives me some added features(sampling, speakers , media player, pads , etc ), but lacks what I like about the G70..touchscreen, harmonizer, separate outs, key feel and range etc..

The Code 61 brings to the table, several things... It is my replacement for the PC80... It has the best control features than any other on the market,,, that I can see.. This justified my purchase..

The benefits are large... The keys are very good .. better than most keyboards...
The interaction with MixCraft8... offering all the control one would want .. Both transport and VST control...all from the Code61..

When used as a second board midied to the E-A7.... Features were available to control many parameters within the E-A7.. and visible edits shown on E-A7 screens... Fast and easy CC parameter control and able to save as user data(E-A7).. A perfect combo set up..

Just so you know, VIP 3.0 just became compatible with your keyboard
Its available as a free download trough your Maudio account.

Enjoy playing with it...

Bachus, I downloaded it and installed... but have no success either as a stand alone or within Ableton Live or MixCraft8..

I would appreciate any help...if I am doing something wrong..

It was authorized and downloaded .. It shows in Ableton as a VST (same with MC8).... I tried re install same results..

If someone else was successful... maybe let me know the steps you took..

The Code61 is a very nice looking controller. It is more appealing now that it comes with VIP 3 for free. Probably a Code 88 will never happen. Still, I want to try out VIP 3. I might as well get a $99 controller and get the software for free.

Some plug-ins do act funny. You might try to start your DAW or host in administrator mode. The fact that even the standalone version doesn't start makes me think that it might indeed have something to do with the Administrator privilege. The second thing that I am suspecting is if the VST dll and other related files are in the same folder. It happened to me with Mixcraft Pro Pianissimo. I moved the Pianissimo dll file, but it was not firing up, and then I noticed that there are other related files. I moved them all and put them in the same folder. Then it worked.

I am sorry Fran, i am still at vacation in Indonesia(what a lovely and musicall country)

Late next week i will be back in Holland, if you still have had no succes i will see what i can do to help you out..

Bachus, I got it up and running (sorta).. It is not stable.. yet.

After the better part of two days.. I watched an old video of 2.0 VIP being installed..it was closer than what I understood to install 3.0..

It was a total fiasco.... and still glitched..

There is a learning curve... not to run VIP. but to install it

Honestly at this point I can say I prefer using MixCraft8 as the wrapper (host)..it is very similar result wise, easier to see and find, especially while playing..

I am/was interested in stand alone mode, but the boot time is actually faster in MixCraft8..

I think I have about 2,000 VST's so it is easy enough to find what I need... MC8 also has categories.. (It doesn't tell you the color of your eyes) ....

Maybe if I had to sort thru 20,000 sounds... it would have more value to me.. If it worked flawlessly

I will spend a few more days with it...and see if I can grow to like it.... so far NO!!!

At least it was a benefit from buying the Code61 (free)..

My guess AKAI is bailing out on VIP (making it available to other manufacturers).... probably another design in the works..

I can see it more valuable in the studio ...

AKAI needs to post directions to "how to install VIP 3.0"

I also had conflicts running VIP in Ableton live9 and MixCraft8..

Hi Fran

There was a big change between VST 2 & 3 instruments and most give you the option of which program (Or dll) to use, just make sure the one you choose matches your host in your DAW otherwise problems can occur, in addition many .dll come in various channel flavours (4, 8, 16 etc.) so make sure you choose one that is compatible with your DAW, finally most modern VST require at least Windows 7 (Or the latest MAC OS) to load and work correctly, as otherwise there can be operational problems. (Although in most cases if the OS is too old it won’t install)

Hope this helps

Bill

Bill, I use windows10.... I didn't have any DLL problems that I noticed... other than proprietary VST's from MixCraft..

I will still try to work with VIP... but it seems to make more sense to use MC 8.. Many other features are at hand.. recording, mixer with EQ etc all easily accessible ...

Bill, I use windows10.... I didn't have any DLL problems that I noticed... other than proprietary VST's from MixCraft..

I will still try to work with VIP... but it seems to make more sense to use MC 8.. Many other features are at hand.. recording, mixer with EQ etc all easily accessible ...

Getting around a bit more on the VIP in stand alone mode..

As you get more comfortable with the operating procedure... the flow is getting better...

VIP would be a great addition for folks that want to use VST's..
Years ago you would spend Big Bucks on hardware to do half what the software does..

If you have a decent DAW, I think the advantage is to use the DAW..

My choice between Ableton live9 lite and VIP stand alone..... I would use VIP.

While I am waiting for my M-Audio Code 61, I tried out the demo version of VIP 3.0 today. Fortunately, everything went smooth in my Surface Pro and Lenovo hybrid though I had to activate and deactivate the iLok license between the two PCs. Both the standalone and 64 bit VST version Opened just fine in in Ableton Live, Gig Performer, VSTHost, and Mixcraft 8 Pro.

It was pretty impressive to see VIP to automatically map all the patches of Kotakt, Korg M1, Korg Wavestation, many apps included NI Komplete, Omnisphere, just about every single instrument/effect plugin by Air Music Technology, and so forth. What delighted me is that between patches in a given plugin and between plug-ins many patches were switched on instantly with patch remain. Korg M1's patches are very small and they switch on instantly, but Structure 2 by Air Music? That is a sampler like Kontakt, and it takes some time for some patches to load up. However, in VIP they were instant. I just don't understand how it does that. Plug-ins load up in VIP very quickly for some reason, and I am not complaining. I'm glad that I jumped in, and I consider the Code 61 a nice bonus to this software. I'll say that VIP is a must for those who have lots of VST instruments.

Also, the future of VIP seems to be very good. Sweetwater called me and said that it would take one week before they receive another shipment of the Code 61. The Code series must be selling well.

Besides, Akai, Alesis, M-Audio, and other manufacturers actually belong the same mother company called Inmusic Brands. The software VIP is, of course, by them, too. They just updated VIP to 3.0, and the user base is growing. So I think this is a safe investment.

A screen capture of my Lenovo. You can see all the patches of a vst plugin.

Torch, I am glad to see you ordered the Code61....
I read earlier you were going for a cheaper controller..

When I tried to install the VIP 3.0..there were no instructions... I actually found a way via an old 2.0 install video.. And iLok was a hassle too...

Did you just save the VIP dll in a VST folder to work in Mixcraft 8 pro ?
I have yet to try it successfully..

I have made two folders in my PC; 32 bit VST folder and 64 bit vst folder so that whenever I stall a new VST plugin they don't get mixed up. So yes, I saved the 32 bit VIP dll in my "32 Bit VST folder" and the 64 bit VIP dll in the 64 bit folder. For some reason, at first the VIP was acting funny in Mixcraft 8 Pro while it behaved just fine in other VST hosts and DAWs. Then I realized that somehow Mixcraft 8 Pro opened up the 32 bit VIP 3.0. I manually deleted it within VIP 3.0, and scanned for the 64 bit version of the VIP, and everything was OK.

Initially I wanted just the software. That was the reason I was going to get the $99 controller. What a value! Then I read your post again, which convinced me to get the Code 61. I gotta thank you for your post, Fran!!! I am very happy about he VIP. It is only going to get better! I know I will be happier when I receive my Code 61.

I noticed that VIP 3.0 has cataloged 2,470 patches by a number of different categories just for Xpand! alone, which often sells for $1 or comes free with a whole bunch of controllers by M-Audio, Akai, and Alesis. Xpand!2 was at first part of Pro Tools. Extremely lean, and yet tons of great sounds. However, you can't access sounds from midi program changes. Now VIP 3.0 has made it possible to call up sounds with such ease and patch remain; Xpand!2 took on new life.

Chris

Chris, I combined the VIP 64 exc file and the VIP dll in the same folder.
I was able to get VIP running in both Ableton live9 and MixCraft8 pro.

That's great, Fran.

Finally, Sweetwater shiped my Code 61 today, but I couldn't wait, as the demo version of VIP 3.0 expires tomorrow. I was able to buy a small controller on eBay and had the seller email me the serial number. With it, I was able to activate VIP 3.0.

Don't you just love how VIP 3.0 shows all the patches of your VST plugins? You can also download plugin maps on the internet. I have been asking Akai to create a platform where users can upload and download maps. VIP 3.0 loads sounds so quick! Another killer feature is smooth sound transition; how sound patches change without the previous sound being cut off. This is a must feature for me, but oddly these days only just a few keyboards like the Kronos and the Roland FA-06/8 have this feature.

Great support from Akai, too. There is online chatting. I was chatting with someone, and he said he will have an expert call me. Someone called me right away while I was chatting with someone else!!! The guy on the phone was indeed a VIP expert. He went out of his way to help me out.

I even use 32 bit plug-ins in the 64 bit VIP 3.0 by using a bridge app called jBridge. I wanted to use the discontinued 32 Hypersonic 2. It works fine, but I have to make sure I open VIP 3.0 as administrator.

Chris, one of the problems with the VIP .... Acoustica library won't load... it is proprietary... It will list the Acoustica sounds but they are not present...

If you find a way to play them with VIP ... let me know..

Fran,

I didn't even know until now that Mixcraft Pro 8 has a few good analog VST instruments. OK, I made a copy of the whole VST folder located at Program Files/Acoustica Mixcraft 8/VST and moved it to my VST 64 bit folder. Then I had VIP 3.0 and my favorite VST host Gig Performer scan it. Except for a couple of commercial plug-ins (They wanted more money for full versions of these plugins to be used out of Mixcraft) and some other effects plugins, many were detected including two sound packs called Acoustica Instruments (264 sounds) and Expanded Instruments (68 sounds).

These too packs are more like a GM set, and even within Mixcraft the plug-ins do not even have a GUI to edit the sounds. Anyway, these plug-ins do show up in VIP 3.0 with the full lists of patch names and numbers automatically, but only the first sound plays. Gig Performer or other VST host can access all other sounds. I found out that all the sounds in the two packs do respond to midi program changes. Sure enough when I send PC messages to the sound packs within VIP 3.0, I was able to play them all. They played like a piece of hardware; instant, and also with patch remain. All other Mixcraft detected by VIP and Gig Performer played fine.

I think I am going to send two sound packs to Akai Pro. In the meantime, if you need to go back and forth between Mixcraft and VIP, you can load VIP in Mixcraft.


I might add that I run 64 bit Mixcraft and 64 bit VIP 3.0.

Chris, ditto here too.

Acoustica sound banks are good less a few... terrible saxes..

I also run 64bit on my windows 10 and VIP 64 bit..

Honestly I don't see the gain in running VIP in MC8..
The categories are enough to find what you need quickly...and they all play..

I am going to try and find my MediaStation saxes they were some of the best... They are giga sample but I have a converter to wave..
I think one of the MC8 samplers will play giga sample..

When do you get your Code61....I feel lonely here..

If you have 10.000's or even over 100.000 vst sounds, the searchable database of VIP is so nice...

On top of that, you can make performances of up to 8 sounds including full effects setup and use them in any DAW you want...


Imagine people using cubase, bitwig, reason and V-arranger..
For thise people VIP is a godsend..

Why would someone use several of those daws? Because the daws i just described are all 3 totally different in nature...


Also the interface for realtime changing sounds and effects is far beyound what a daw can do...

And if you use the akai advance keyboard, you can close your pc and just browse select and navigate using the screen on the keyboard, makes it feel like you are playing a hardware keyboard.. but that requires an advance keyboard

Bachus , most of what you say I agree..
A lot depends on the Daw..

MixCraft8 pro can have as many layers, splits as you want.. more than VIP 's eight.. same with effects..

I think I have less than 6,000 VST patches.. again easily organized with MixCraft8..
100,000 sounds is way overkill... they will be all atmosphere and synth sounds... How many great pianos do you need?

The reason I don't have an Akai advance or a NI complete Kontrol.... I don't want to use knobs for drawbars... been there..

I do like VIP and enjoy playing with it... but it has some things that just won't work for me... As I mentioned many MC8 sounds show in a list but will not load...and not just the proprietary VST's..

To borrow your quote... I guess I am spoiled..

Bachus,

Great points as usual. I am looking at my plugins in VIP right now. VIP has cataloged 11,723 sounds for Omnisphere alone. 1,525 for the Korg M1, and 4,025 for Sampletank. The list goes on! Wonderful and ridiculous at the same time. I am not going to play every single sound but with VIP it feels like you don’t even have to open a plug-in. Just jump around among the plugins, and either click or search only the ones you are interested in by various tags.

For the first time, I can sample sounds from all the plug-ins real quick that I didn’t even know I had. Now I need to get into how all will this translate for live performance with various midi controllers. I am just impressed and delighted by the performance of VIP.

As you mentioned, I am looking into using VIP in vArranger. That’ll be a powerful combination.

Fran, you seem to be very familiar with MC8, but I am not. What sounds or plugins from MC8 do you like and play? The two sound banks in it are really not more than General MIDI sounds. I don’t think you are referring to them, correct? I liked two or three analog synths in MC8. Then again, those are readily available, and many of them are even free. Anyway, let me know what sounds of MC8 you like. I’d like to check them out myself. I agree to your point that probably there is not much benefit in running VIP in MC8, but I like the fact that not only can you run VIP as a standalone, but open it up in a live performance oriented VST host like Gig Performer. Finally, I feel like I have pretty good control over all my plug-ins.

My Code 61 will be here on Friday, and the APC Key 25 before that probably.

USINg vip in Varranger sounds like a good idea, you can select all your sounds trough the VIP interface, quite confortable

Since you can layer up to 8 sounds in a VIP channel, you could just use the 3 left and 5 right sounds from Varranger for switching between sounds...

Looks like a very good idea....

I got my Code 61 yesterday. What a good-looking controller! The keyboard action is excellent as many noted. If they make an 88 key version, I won't hesitate to get one. By the way, the first thing that I did was to update the firmware even though mine is from the latest batch. Sure enough it had an old version.

I just can't get over how inexpensive this thing is for all the features and quality it has, and moreover it comes with VIP 3.0 and other software instruments. If Roland put bellows on something like this, it will be $3,500 and $4,500 it they include accordion sounds and a few orchestra sounds. That's what the junior model Roland digital accordion FR4x costs, which I have besides the flagship model.

Thanks, Fran, for being a "cheap" influence on me. I am very happy with this controller. Sometimes little things make a big difference. These days, manufacturers are trying to do away with standard 5 pin midi connectors. This one has midi in and out. Oh, yes, expression input, too. I have a Roland A49 which has a standard 5 pin midi out, but how do you turn the dumb thing on as a standalone without a computer? I had to hack it to force it to turn on without being connected to PC whereas the Code 61 has a power input and, the power switch will turn it off while it is connected to the computer. A nice touch.

Chris, I am excited about your new Code61.... I know it is a great controller...

Why no one else has commented on your excitement... who knows..

They talk for weeks over a nothing picture of the Yamaha offering, but show no interest in the Code61..

Our Code61 allow us to play far superior sounds (VST) than we have in our keyboards.. yet still no interest..

As for the software updates... your fresh new Code61 was already in the delivery system when the new firmware were released (Sept8, 2017)..

The new release was to optimize the Code to the VIP 3.0 software..

BTW: you will also need to update the Code61 editor, the old version will not work with the new firmware..

I updated both on my Code61..

I am sorry, but the Kronos is every bit as much a vst controller as the m-audio... i have 9 programmable sliders, 8 programmable knobs, 16 programmable buttons... i can assign them to external midi sources with 1 push of the ext button...

I can save 100 profiles for this external session.. and assign a profile to any combi ...

In general my main profile assigns 8 buttons to the pa4x for arranger features... and sliders, knobs, and 8 more buttons to mainstage ... or reason... still preferring reason... i will be considering vip, need to get my hands on a trial first before spending €100...

So you dont need a full featured master keyboard to comtroll vst’s... any keyboard with master key compatibillities ( like rolands rd2000, montage, and even the upcomming Genos will be great for comtrolling vst’s)
I do agree they are im a different price range, but they also have to offer a huge amount of features outside of the master keyboard features... and there is one thing these offer, not available in the master keyboards... these all function as an audio imterface for your pc...


I think having a full workstation with vst’s on top is my preferred choice...

Bachus, No one knocked the Kronos or even a 30 year old Casio that will also play VST's...

My point was no one showed any interest in Chris's post..

But since you wanted to make the comparison... No the Kronos or any other workstation can do what the $350 Code61 can....
They are not dedicated controllers.. They all lack something, some a lot...

No pads on the Kronos, No banks or layers of control for buttons, sliders, knobs, or pads...
No transport control..
No(auto) mapping benefits to all your VST's..
No bang for the buck, and free VST's along with VIP software.....ALL for $350,,,

Maybe I misunderstood your point...but I appreciate the response..

Obviously you have no clue what Kronos can do...

It has all those things you mentioned...
It even has pads with the nanopad connected..
You can program 64 pads (8 banks of 8) on the kronos

By pressing 1 button the onboard controllers function as 9msliders, 8 knobs, 16 buttons for directly comtrolling daw or vst’s
Also the onboard daw controlls also function for transport controlls in logic...

As i said, the Kronos can do everything with dedicated controlls the m-audio can do...

True, it comes at a different price, but it allows me to have the best of both worlds.

Bachus, you are an expensive influence. LOL. I almost bought the 88 limited Edition of Kronos. However, the Kronos being 53 pounds I knew that I would never take it out to gigs or whatever. Still, I'll say it is a lot of keyboard for under 4 grand.

I would think that VIP 3.0 would be the best companion to many VSTs that musicians like you yourself own. There are a number of controllers that come with VIP3. A few models run from $99 to $130.

I can see how useful and versatile the Code 61 would be for me. I can use it to drive vArranger, a small Ketron module, and VSTs.

Fran, though I don't like Facebook, someone started a VIP 3 group on it, and one or two factory employees are involved. Lots of help and cooperation between the company and users.