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As a music producer, I know how important it is to have a streamlined workflow and access to all of your software instruments and effects in one place. That’s where Akai Pro VIP comes in. VIP, short for Virtual Instrument Player, is a software that allows you to control and organize your VST plugins and effects from a single interface. In this review, I’ll be taking a closer look at what Akai Pro VIP can do and whether it’s worth the investment.
Video Tutorial:
What does Akai Pro VIP do?
Akai Pro VIP has a few core features that make it a valuable tool for any producer or musician. Here are a few of the standout features:
Browser and Tagging System: Akai Pro VIP allows you to easily browse and search through all of your VST plugins and effects with a powerful tagging system, making it easy to find what you need quickly.
Multi-Keyboard and Pad Support: VIP is designed to work with a wide range of MIDI controllers and keyboards, allowing you to switch between different instruments and effects with a simple key press or pad trigger.
Real-Time Integration: With VIP, you can access and manipulate your virtual instruments and effects in real-time, allowing you to tweak and adjust your sounds on the fly without having to stop and switch between plugins.
Mixer and Effects Rack: Akai Pro VIP features a virtual mixer and effects rack, giving you complete control over your mix and effects chain without having to switch between different windows and plugin interfaces.
Price
Akai Pro VIP is available in three different versions: Standard, Plus, and Platinum. Here’s a breakdown of the pricing:
| Version | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard | $99.99 |
| Plus | $199.99 |
| Platinum | $299.99 |
Review Ratings
| Effectiveness | EASE-OF-USE | Support | Service | Quality | VALUE FOR MONEY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
- Effectiveness: Akai Pro VIP is a powerful tool for organizing and controlling your virtual instruments and effects, but it does have some limitations when it comes to compatibility and user customization.
- EASE-OF-USE: VIP’s interface is clean and easy to navigate, but it does take some time to set up and configure for your specific needs.
- Support: Akai Pro’s customer support is adequate, but not outstanding. There are some resources available online, but you may need to be patient to get help with more complex issues.
- Service: The software itself runs smoothly and has few bugs or issues.
- Quality: The sound quality and performance of the virtual instruments and effects is excellent.
- VALUE FOR MONEY: Depending on your needs, Akai Pro VIP may be well worth the investment. However, the higher price points for the Plus and Platinum versions may be hard to justify for some users.
What I Like
Overall, I think Akai Pro VIP is a well-designed and useful tool for any producer or musician who works with virtual instruments and effects. Here are a few things that I really appreciate about it:
First, I love the organizational features, especially the tagging system. Being able to quickly search through all of my plugins and effects in one place saves me a lot of time and frustration.
Second, the real-time integration is a game-changer for me. Being able to tweak and adjust my sounds on the fly without having to stop and switch between plugins is incredibly useful.
Finally, the virtual mixer and effects rack are well-designed and offer a lot of flexibility, allowing me to tailor my mix and effects chain to my specific needs.
What I Don’t Like
While I’m generally a fan of Akai Pro VIP, there are a few things that I don’t love about it. One is the fact that it doesn’t support every VST plugin and effect out there. While it works with most of the major ones, there are a few that it doesn’t recognize or work well with.
Additionally, I do wish that the software was a bit more customizable in terms of layout, colors, and other preferences. While the interface is clean and easy to use, it can feel a bit sterile and uninviting.
What Could Be Better
Here are a few things that I think could be improved about Akai Pro VIP:
More Customization Options: As I mentioned earlier, I wish that there were more options for customizing the interface to suit individual preferences. This could include things like color themes, font sizes, and layout options.
Better Compatibility: While VIP does work with most VST plugins and effects, it would be great to see even wider compatibility. Some of the more niche or obscure plugins may not work well with Akai Pro VIP, which can be frustrating for some users.
Improved User Guide and Tutorials: While there are some resources available online for learning how to use VIP, it would be helpful if there were more comprehensive user guides and video tutorials available.
How to Use Akai Pro VIP?
Using Akai Pro VIP is relatively straightforward, though it does take some time to set up and configure properly. Here’s a general overview of the process:
Step 1: Install Akai Pro VIP on your computer and open the software.
Step 2: Connect your MIDI controller or keyboard to your computer and make sure it’s recognized by Akai Pro VIP.
Step 3: Add your VST plugins and effects to VIP’s library by scanning your plugin folders or adding them manually.
Step 4: Create a new VIP project and start adding instruments and effects to your project. Use the tagging system to find the specific sounds you’re looking for quickly and easily.
Step 5: Use Akai Pro VIP’s mixer and effects rack to tailor your sounds and effects to your specific needs. Save your project and export it as needed.
Alternatives to Akai Pro VIP
While Akai Pro VIP is a great tool for managing and controlling your virtual instruments and effects, there are a few alternatives worth considering:
1. Steinberg Cubase
Cubase is a popular digital audio workstation that includes a wide range of features for composing, recording, and mixing music. While it doesn’t have the same level of VST management and control features as Akai Pro VIP, it does offer a comprehensive set of tools for music production.
2. Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol
Komplete Kontrol is a software suite from Native Instruments that includes a range of VST plugins and effects along with a browser and tagging system for organizing them. It also includes support for Native Instruments hardware controllers, making it a good choice for Native Instruments users.
3. Waves Central
Waves Central is a VST plugin manager and installer from Waves Audio. While it doesn’t offer the same level of control and organization features as Akai Pro VIP, it does make it easy to install and manage Waves plugins and effects.
5 FAQs about Akai Pro VIP
Q1: Does Akai Pro VIP work with any MIDI controller or keyboard?
A: While Akai Pro VIP is designed to work with a wide range of MIDI controllers and keyboards, there may be some compatibility issues with certain models. Check the Akai Pro website for a list of officially supported controllers.
Q2: Can I use Akai Pro VIP with other DAWs besides Ableton Live?
A: Yes, Akai Pro VIP can be used with any DAW that supports VST plugins.
Q3: Do I need to own an Akai Pro controller or keyboard to use VIP?
A: No, Akai Pro VIP can be used with any MIDI controller or keyboard.
Q4: Can I use Akai Pro VIP with third-party VST plugins and effects?
A: Yes, Akai Pro VIP is designed to work with most VST plugins and effects.
Q5: Is Akai Pro VIP worth the investment?
A: Depending on your needs and how you work with virtual instruments and effects, Akai Pro VIP can be a valuable tool for improving your workflow and efficiency. However, it may not be necessary for all users, especially those who use a limited number of plugins.
Final Words
Overall, I think Akai Pro VIP is a powerful and useful tool for any musician or producer who works with VST plugins and effects. While there are some limitations and compatibility issues, the organizational features, real-time integration, and controls make it well worth considering. If you’re looking for a way to streamline your workflow and improve your VST experience, give Akai Pro VIP a try.