User Guide English Manual Version 1.
Table of Contents (Click a chapter/section to skip to it.) Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ 5 Box Contents ................................................................................................................................................. 5 Support .................................................................................................................
Operation .......................................................................................................................................................... 12 Setup Scenarios .......................................................................................................................................... 13 With VIP in Your DAW ...............................................................................................................................
MIDI Mode ................................................................................................................................................ 34 Selecting Controls ................................................................................................................................. 34 Adjusting Controls ................................................................................................................................. 34 MIDI Edit Mode ...................................
Introduction Box Contents Advance 49 USB Cable Software Installation Card Quickstart Guide Safety & Warranty Manual Support For the latest information about this product (system requirements, compatibility information, etc.) and product registration, visit akaipro.com. About This User Guide This User Guide was written to help you get familiar with the Advance 49 hardware.
Initial Setup 1. Software/Driver Download and Installation To download and install the required drivers, VIP software application, and virtual instruments: 1. Go to akaipro.com and register your product. If you don’t have an Akai Professional account yet, you will be prompted to create one. 2. Download the Advance Software Package. 3. Open the file and double-click the installer application: .exe (Windows) or .dmg (Mac OS X). 4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
3. Software-Controller Configuration This section describes how to start using your Advance 49. We recommend using Advance 49 with the included VIP software which you can use to perform with, create, edit, and manage multiple plugin patches simultaneously. To learn more about how you can use Advance 49 in each kind of setup, please see the Operation chapter. Make sure you have installed the software (described earlier in 1.
With VIP in Standalone Mode (Without a DAW) To set up Advance 49 with VIP in Standalone Mode: 1. Power on your Advance 49. 2. Open VIP. By default, VIP is installed in [your hard drive] \ Program Files \ VstPlugins (Windows) or Applications (Mac OS X). 3. In VIP, click the Settings menu and select Plugin Manager. 4. At the bottom of the Plugin Manager window, click one of the Plugin Folder fields, and then select the folder where your instrument plugins are located on your computer.
Features Top Panel 17 3 4 2 19 15 20 16 5 6 21 18 12 11 10 7 7 8 9 7 8 9 7 8 9 7 8 9 7 8 9 7 8 9 7 8 9 8 9 22 14 13 1 1. Keyboard: This 49-note keyboard is velocity- and pressure-sensitive and, in conjunction with the Octave Up/Down buttons, can control a 10-octave range. 2. Octave Down/Up: Use these buttons to shift the keyboard’s range up or down. Press both buttons simultaneously to reset the octave shift to “zero.” 3.
12. Full Level: Press this button to activate or deactivate Full Level. When Full Level is active, the pads always play at their maximum velocity no matter how hard or soft you hit them. 13. Note Repeat / Config: Use this button to activate or deactivate Note Repeat. While Note Repeat is active, striking a pad causes its note to retrigger at a rate based on the current Tempo and Time Division settings. You can also sync Note Repeat to an internal or external MIDI Clock source.
Rear Panel 1. Cable Restraint: You can secure a power adapter cord to this restraint to help avoid disconnecting it accidentally. 2. Power Button: Press this button to power the Advance 49 on or off. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 3. Power Input: Connect this power input to a power outlet using an optional power adapter (6V DC, 1A, center-positive, sold separately).
Operation This chapter describes how you can use Advance 49 in your studio or performance setup. Read Setup Scenarios to learn how Advance 49 can function with software or hardware (with or without a DAW, with or without VIP, etc.). Read Display and Navigation to get a better understanding of Advance 49’s full-color display and how to move through its various menus and panels. Read Basic Functions to learn how to do some simple tasks with Advance 49.
Setup Scenarios With VIP in Your DAW The included VIP software lets you get the most control and function out of your Advance 49. VIP is essentially a host for your plugins, a hub where you can create, edit, and manage your patches (presets) for your various plugins. When VIP is used as a plugin, as in this scenario, all audio from VIP will be sent into your DAW on its track.
With Your DAW Only You can use Advance 49 as a standard USB MIDI controller for your music creation software. We’ve created presets for several popular DAWs so you can use Advance 49 with your projects in the most logical and intuitive way possible. You can use Advance 49’s MIDI Mode to control your DAW (see the Modes section for more information). MIDI Mode Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) With External MIDI Equipment (Without a Computer) You can connect an external MIDI device (synth, drum machine, etc.
Display and Navigation Data Dial Mode Buttons Display Page Left/Right Cursors Advance 49’s display shows information about its current mode and operations. You can navigate its different modes, pages, etc. by using the following controls: • Data Dial: Use this dial to change a selected parameter values, settings, etc. in the display. Press the dial to enter or confirm a command or setting. You can also use this dial to scroll through lists, menus, and browsers.
Basic Functions Loading DAW Presets We’ve pre-mapped several presets that let you use Advance 49 to control your DAW in the most logical and intuitive way possible. Setup Mode will show a list of presets that let you use Advance 49 to control your DAW. If you are not using VIP, you can see this list in Main Mode, as well. To load a DAW preset: 1. Press Shift and the Main (Setup) mode button to enter Setup Mode. If you are not using VIP, you can also press Main to enter Main Mode. 2.
Controlling Your Patch or Your DAW Advance 49 has two modes that let you view and control your patch parameters in VIP or functions your DAW: Control Mode and MIDI Mode. Control Mode shows you the current settings of Advance 49’s controls in VIP. Press the Control mode button to enter it. You can access this mode only when using VIP. To adjust the value or change the state of a control, simply turn the encoder or press the switch or pad.
Modes Advance 49 has ten different modes of operation. Enter each mode by pressing its corresponding mode button (or Shift and the button, if it is a secondary button command). Note that a mode’s appearance may depend on whether or not you are using the VIP software.
Selecting the Browser or Setlists While using VIP with Advance 49, the Patch Browser (the right half of the display) will show the patches and multis that are (A) currently in VIP’s Patch Browser or (B) in a setlist. The currently selected one will be shaded grey in the upper-right part of the display. To select the Browser: 1. Use the Cursor Buttons to select Browser (at the top of the display). 2. Press the Data Dial. The patches and multis shown in VIP’s Patch Browser will appear below.
Loading and Saving DAW Presets If you are not using VIP, Main Mode will show a list of presets that let you use Advance 49 to control your DAW. We’ve pre-mapped each so you can use Advance 49 to control your DAW in the most logical and intuitive way possible. To load a DAW preset: 1. Use the Cursor Buttons to select the DAW Preset Browser (the list of DAW presets in the right half of the display). 2. Turn the Data Dial to scroll through the list. 3. Press the Data Dial to load a DAW preset.
Editing Various Global Settings Whether or not you are using VIP, you can change some of Advance 49’s global setings in Main Mode. To adjust global settings in Main Mode: 1. Use the Cursor Buttons to select any of the three fields in the lower-left corner of the display: • MIDI Ch: Advance 49 will send its messages over this MIDI channel. This is the same as the Common Channel setting in Global Mode. • Oct: Advance 49’s keyboard will be offset by this many octaves.
Setup Mode Setup Mode shows a list of available presets that let you use Advance 49 to control your DAW. We’ve pre-mapped each so you can use Advance 49 to control your DAW in the most logical and intuitive way possible. To navigate this mode: • Use the Cursors to move between different fields and tabs. You can change some global settings in this mode (MIDI channel (MIDI Ch), octave (Oct), and transposition (Trans)), as well. • Use the Data Dial to change a value or setting.
You can also save DAW presets with your own custom MIDI mappings (made in MIDI Edit Mode). You can do save over an existing DAW preset or one of the user presets (User Preset Default ##). To save a DAW preset: 1. With the desired DAW preset already selected, use the Cursor Buttons to select Save in the upper-right corner of the display. 2. Press the Data Dial. The preset’s name in the left half of the display will be highlighted. 3.
Browser Mode Browser Mode lets you browse and select patches of your plugins. You can access this mode only when using VIP. To navigate this mode: • Use the Cursors to move between different fields and tabs. • Use the Data Dial to scroll through the different lists. • Use the Page Left/Right buttons to view each category tag (Plugin, Instruments, Style, etc). See the following sections to learn more about using Browser Mode.
To deselect all tags in the currently shown category, use the Cursor Buttons to select X Category (in the lower-left corner of the display), and then press the Data Dial. To deselect all tags, use the Cursor Buttons to select X All (in the lower-left corner of the display), and then press the Data Dial. Loading Patches Browser Mode also lets you load a patch using the Patch Browser (the right half of the display), which will show all available patches or multis currently in VIP’s Patch Browser.
Global Mode Global Mode lets you set parameters and make changes to Advance 49’s general (“global”) settings that are not specific to a preset. To navigate this mode: • Use the Page Left/Right buttons to view each page of settings. • Use the Cursors to select the setting you want to edit. • Use the Data Dial to change a value or setting. Important: To retain your new settings for future sessions, save them.
Pad Threshold This is the velocity threshold to trigger Advance 49’s pads. This setting can help prevent false triggering or make it easier to trigger the pads. The available range is 0–15. Pad Curve This is the velocity curve of Advance 49’s pads. The available settings are Linear, Exp1 (exponential), Exp2 (exponential), Log1 (logarithmic), and Log2 (logarithmic). Pad Sensitivity This is the overall velocity sensitivity of Advance 49’s pads. The available range is 1–10.
Control Mode Control Mode shows you the current settings of Advance 49’s controls in VIP. You can access this mode only when using VIP. Orange/yellow controls are assigned to parameters in VIP. Green/aqua controls are assigned to MIDI CC messages, which are sent to your DAW. To navigate this mode: • Press the Control mode button to view each set of controls (encoders, switches, and pads). • Use the Page Left/Right buttons to view each bank of that control type. • Use the Cursors to select a control.
Selecting Controls In Control Mode, you can select a control (A) to view its settings or (B) to edit it in Control Edit Mode. To select a control: 1. Select the type of control by pressing the Control mode button. Each time you press it, the display will show the next type of control: encoders, switches, and pads. 2. Use the Page Left/Right buttons to select the desired bank of that control type. For pads, you can alternatively use the Pad Bank buttons. 3.
Control Edit Mode Control Edit Mode lets you edit the parameters of your controls (minimum values, maximum values, CC or note numbers, etc.) for the current patch in VIP. You can access this mode only when using VIP. Orange/yellow controls are assigned to parameters in VIP. Green/aqua controls are assigned to MIDI CC messages, which are sent to your DAW. Because VIP lets you control multiple patches, make sure you have selected the one you want before making adjustments in this mode.
Available Control Parameters Below is a list of available parameters for each type of control. Encoders Type This determines whether the encoder controls a parameter for a plugin in VIP (VST Param; the encoders will be orange/yellow) or sends a MIDI CC message to your DAW (the encoders will be green/aqua). Parameter or CC When Type is set to VST Param, this is the parameter for a VST plugin in VIP that is controlled by the encoder.
Switches Type This determines whether the switch controls a parameter for a plugin in VIP (VST Param) or sends a MIDI CC message to your DAW. Parameter or CC When Type is set to VST Param, this is the parameter for a plugin in VIP that is controlled by the switch. When Type is set to MIDI CC, this is the MIDI CC number for (upper-left field) a parameter in your DAW that the switch controls. Min / Max These determine the lowest (Min) and highest (Max) values. The available range is 0%– 100%.
Pads Important: In VIP, the pads’ parameters are global. In other words, the pads’ MIDI note and channel assignments are not associated with a specific plugin or patch. The pads’ colors will change depending on what bank is currently selected. Note This is the MIDI note that the pad will send when you press it. Tip: You can set whether this appears as a Name (e.g., C1, F#2, etc.) or a Number (e.g., 36, 66, etc.) in Global Mode.
MIDI Mode MIDI Mode shows you the current settings of Advance 49’s controls when used with your DAW. To navigate this mode: • Press Shift and the Control (MIDI) mode button to view each set of controls (encoders, switches, and pads). • When viewing the pads, use the Page Left/Right buttons to view each pad bank. • Use the Cursors to select a control. Alternatively, turn or press a control to select it directly. • Press the Data Dial to enter MIDI Edit Mode.
MIDI Edit Mode MIDI Edit Mode lets you edit the parameters of your controls (minimum values, maximum values, CC or note numbers, etc.) when used with your DAW or external MIDI device. To navigate this mode: • Press Shift and the Control (MIDI) mode button to view each set of controls (encoders, switches, pads, footswitch, expression pedal, modulation wheel, and pitch-bend wheel). • When viewing the pads, use the Page Left/Right buttons or Pad Bank buttons to select another bank.
Available Control Parameters Below is a list of available parameters for each type of control. Encoders Type This determines whether the encoder sends a MIDI CC message or an increment/decrement message (Inc/Dec). CC# When Type is set to MIDI CC, this is the MIDI CC number that the encoder controls. The available range is 0–127. MIDI Channel This is the MIDI channel over which the encoder will send its MIDI message when you turn it.
Switches Type This determines whether the switch sends a MIDI CC message, Program Change message (Program Chn), or Program Bank message. CC# When Type is set to CC, this is the MIDI CC number that the switch controls. The available range is 0–127. Program When Type is set to Program Chn or Program Bank, this is the Program number that the switch sends. MIDI Channel This is the MIDI channel over which the switch will send its MIDI message when you press it.
Pads Important: Remember that you can use the Page Left/Right buttons or the Pad Bank buttons to select the desired bank, which is shown in the upper-left corner of the display. Note This is the MIDI note that the pad will send when you press it. Tip: You can set whether this appears as a Name (e.g., C1, F#2, etc.) or a Number (e.g., 36, 66, etc.) in Global Mode. MIDI Channel This is the MIDI channel over which the pad will send its MIDI note when you press it.
Footswitch Type This is the type of message that the footswitch will send when you press it. The footswitch can send a Sustain message, send a MIDI CC message, or act as a switch for Tap Tempo, Play, Record, Stop, Play/Stop, or Arp On/Off. Mode When Type is set to Sustain or MIDI CC, this determines whether the footswitch’s operation is Toggle or Momentary: MIDI Channel • Toggle: Each time you press the footswitch, it will turn on or off and remain in that state until you press it again.
Modulation Wheel MIDI Channel This is the MIDI channel over which the modulation wheel will send its MIDI message when you turn it. You can select the Common Channel (Common:##) or any one of Channels A1–16 or B1–16. CC# When Type is set to MIDI CC, this is the MIDI CC number that the modulation wheel controls. The available range is 0–127. Min / Max When Type is set to MIDI CC, these determine the lowest (Min) and highest (Max) values. The available range is 0–127.
Multi Mode About Multis Multi Mode lets you use your Advance 49 to control a multi in VIP. A multi is collection of 2–8 patches (from 1 or more plugins). Each patch is assigned to a slot, and each slot has an assigned color. When using a multi, you can simultaneously control volume, panning, solos, and mutes for each slot in a mixer-style interface. You can do this only when using VIP. To navigate this mode: • Use the Page Left/Right buttons to switch between each view of 4 slots.
Adjusting Multi Slots Use the following Advance 49 controls to adjust the volume, panning, solos, and mutes for each slot in a multi. The 8 slots correspond to the 8 encoders, switches, and pads. • To solo a slot, press its switch. The S button will light up in the display and its pad will flash. Any unsoloed slots’ pad lights will turn off. • To mute a slot, press its pad. The M button will light up in the display, and its pad light will turn off. • To adjust the volume of a slot, turn its encoder.
Multi Edit Mode Multi Edit Mode lets you edit the various settings of each slot when using Advance 49 (keyboard range, transposition, MIDI channel, and mute or solo status). To navigate this mode: • Use the Cursors to select the parameter you want to edit. • Use the Data Dial to change a value or setting. • Press the Multi mode button or Data Dial to return to the normal Multi Mode (described earlier). See the following sections to learn more about using Multi Edit Mode.
Available Multi Slot Parameters Below is a list of available parameters for each multi slot. Lo Key / Hi Key These fields indicate (respectively) the lowest and highest incoming MIDI notes that the slot will use to play its patch. The slot will ignore any incoming notes outside of this range. Tip: This is also useful for playing multiple patches simultaneously. Set certain slots’ regions so they overlap others, causing multiple patches to play at the same time, creating new sounds and tonalities.
Timing Functions Overview Between your VIP, your DAW, and/or an external MIDI device, your Advance 49 will be working within a setup that requires a MIDI clock source. Here are some things to keep in mind when (1) selecting the MIDI clock source and (2) adjusting/editing any timing-related settings in your setup. Tempo External MIDI Clock Source: To use your DAW or external MIDI device as your MIDI clock source, set Advance 49’s Clock Source (in Global Mode) to External.
Arpeggiator Advance 49’s Arpeggiator separates chords whose rate is based on the current tempo and time division settings. The Arpeggiator will function on notes being played on the keyboard only. You can sync the Arpeggiator to an internal or external MIDI clock source. To edit the Arpeggiator’s parameters, press and hold Shift and then press Arp. The Arpeggiator’s parameters will appear in the display. Type This is the type of arpeggio a played chord will produce when the Arpeggiator is on.
Technical Specifications Keyboard 49 velocity- and pressure-sensitive keys 10-octave range with Octave Down/Up buttons Pitch-bend wheel Modulation wheel Encoders 8 360° assignable encoders 1 360° encoder with push function for display navigation Pads 8 velocity- and pressure-sensitive pads; multicolor-backlit Switches 8 assignable switches; amber-backlit 23 function switches; amber-backlit 4 directional cursor buttons Display 3.75” x 2.125” (95.3 mm x 54 mm) full-color LCD Connections 1 1/4” (6.
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