Akai Force (Force - User Guide v3.9) MIDI CC chart, NRPN and OSC map
The Akai Force MIDI implementation: 13 CC, 7 SysEx commands, each named, for Claude (MCP), SuperCollider or any OSC app.
- sourcemaker's documentation
- firmware3.9
- real unitnot yet checked
Not checked on a real Akai Force yet. Own one? Load a sound or send a control, and tell us whether it worked.
- Maker
- Akai
- Version
- Force - User Guide v3.9
- Source
- maker's documentation
- OSC prefix
/force
Use it
Find the MIDI ports, then start the bridge with this driver:
osc-bridge detect # prints the ready-to-run line for what is plugged in
osc-bridge run --device akai/force.vendor.fw-3.9 --out-port <N> --in-port <M>
Then send OSC to 127.0.0.1:7777, for example:
From Claude or any MCP client, the osc-bridge mcp server exposes this driver as force: ask “what can the Akai Force do?” and it reads this map with list_routes. See the MCP guide.
MIDI controls
20 controls, each with its number, its range and the name to send
Track
| Control | CC | Range | Name to send |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modulation | 1 | 0–127 | /force/track/modulation |
| Breath | 2 | 0–127 | /force/track/breath |
| Foot | 4 | 0–127 | /force/track/foot |
| Portamento time | 5 | 0–127 | /force/track/portamento_time |
| Volume | 7 | 0–127 | /force/track/volume |
| Pan | 10 | 0–127 | /force/track/pan |
| Expression | 11 | 0–127 | /force/track/expression |
| Sustain | 64 | switch | /force/track/sustain |
| Portamento | 65 | switch | /force/track/portamento |
| Sostenuto | 66 | switch | /force/track/sostenuto |
| Soft pedal | 67 | switch | /force/track/soft_pedal |
| Legato | 68 | switch | /force/track/legato |
Channel mode
| Control | CC | Range | Name to send |
|---|---|---|---|
| All notes off | 123 | trigger | /force/all_notes_off |
SysEx commands
| Command | Arguments | Name to send |
|---|---|---|
| Sequence select | program: u7 | /force/sequence/select |
| Transport clock | /force/transport/clock |
|
| Mmc deferred play | /force/mmc/deferred_play |
|
| Mmc stop | /force/mmc/stop |
|
| Mmc pause | /force/mmc/pause |
|
| Mmc record strobe | /force/mmc/record_strobe |
|
| Mmc locate | hours: u7, minutes: u7, seconds: u7, frames: u7 | /force/mmc/locate |
Performance MIDI
Notes, pitch bend and any CC are also available: /force/note/on <note> <velocity>, /force/cc/<number> <value>, /force/pitchbend <0-16383>, /force/program_change <n>.
Limitations
Source: Akai 'Force - User Guide' v3.9 (newest guide Akai publishes; firmware 3.10.0 exists without its own guide). Incoming notes play the track whose MIDI input takes that port and channel (or the current track for a port set to Global); drum track pads follow the track's pad note map (Chromatic C1, Chromatic C2, Classic MPC or custom), and the guide prints no note numbers for these maps, so no pad trigger is listed. Pitch bend, channel pressure, aftertouch and Program Change can also be filtered per track. CC3 (Undefined) appears in the track filter list with no function, not mapped. The guide names MIDI Clock and MTC as sync sources without listing Start, Stop, Continue or Song Position, so they are not mapped. MIDI Learn and MIDI Control Mode assign controllers chosen on the unit (mixer, pad, track and insert effect parameters, saved with the project); none is fixed here, and clip and scene launching by MIDI is only through MIDI Learn. The MMC byte values are the MIDI standard's for the commands the guide names; it does not print them. No SysEx is documented. Audiofanzine lists the Force under its 2018 leaked name, APC Live. Untested on hardware.
Firmwares
The Akai Force runs 3 firmwares SynthHub maps, each with its own MIDI or another's it shares. All the devices with several: firmwares.
| Firmware | From | Licence | MIDI | Sounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Force - User Guide v3.9 | cdn.inmusicbrands.com | its own | ||
| MockbaMod bf4dcdd | github.com/MockbaTheBorg | same as Force - User Guide v3.9 | ||
| MPC-LiveXplore 4955a83 | github.com/TheKikGen | same as Force - User Guide v3.9 |
Frequently asked questions
How many parameters of the Akai Force can be controlled over MIDI?
SynthHub's map of the Akai Force lists 13 MIDI CC parameters, each with its number, range and a readable name; the full chart is on this page.
Can an AI agent like Claude control the Akai Force?
Yes: SynthHub's hosted MCP server knows the Akai Force's MIDI map, and its browser relay lets the agent send it parameter changes or load a sound, each sound change confirmed by you.