The MPC you've been waiting for!

Want to start a fight? Just ask a room full of old-school beat makers what the best MPC of all time is. Go for it — we dare you. There is no way of knowing which was the most popular. There's the sheer warmth that made the original MPC60 a classic collector's piece that's still pumping today, but there's also the incredible flexibility of the MPC2000/XL and the insane multifunctional capabilities of the MPC5000. The fact is that every classic MPC is the "best" in the eyes of one producer or another, but one thing is for sure, Akai Professional's MPC X is the modern MPC that all die-hards have been waiting for.

The latest update to Akai's MPC series, standalone firmware 2.10, introduces 14 new plug-ins to its arsenal, including four instruments (Hype, Solina, Odyssey and Mellotron), seven Insertion Effects (Half Speed, Diode Clipper, Stutter, Diffuser Delay, Sample Delay, Limiter and Granulator) and an amazing AIR Vocal Insert Effect Suite (Vocal Tuner, Vocal Harmonizer and Vocal Doubler). There's also support for any class-compliant audio interface, so you can record and mix tracks directly from your Akai MPC unit. With version 2.10, MPC X officially does it all!

Intuitive control meets unlimited depth

One of the biggest “love it or hate it” factors among MPC models is the balance between ease of use and depth of features. From the moment we met MPC X, many producers realized that this discussion was over. This music production monster packs more music production power than any MPC before it, but with a practical user interface that's so intuitive, you can probably pick one up and put it to work without even touching the manual.

This is based entirely on the integration of its built-in MPC 2.10 software and a full suite of hands-on controls. The direct surface-level access that MPC X provides means you don't have to dig deep to find the features you want. Just take a look at the control layout and you'll get the idea.

Simply put, if it's something you'd access with a mouse in a computer DAW, you can grab it on the multi-touch screen. If it's something you want to control by pressing an actual button or turning a knob, there's a knob you can press or an OLED-labeled Q-Link encoder you can reach out and turn. It's amazing how easily MPC X keeps up with your workflow!

Is it software or hardware?

Yes. More specifically, MPCs combined software and hardware from the beginning. Now, you can run the same software that is in your MPC X on your computer. This means you can stay connected to your computer if you like, taking full advantage of your computer's software and MPC X's I/O and controls, but you don't have to. Think about it — there are workflow options here that you never had before.

For example, you might go out with nothing more than your MPC X, a microphone or two, and a big smile on your face. MPC 2.0 has made it easier than ever to take your gear with you and take it wherever you feel inspired, lay down some beats, create new samples, and even record vocals along with your grooves. With version 2.10, you can now plug your favorite USB class-compliant audio interface into the MPC X to record instrument and vocal tracks directly — no DAW required! At the end of the day, you can go home with a new, more or less complete track in your pocket, ready for whatever finishing touches you might want to add in the studio. Talk about the best of both worlds!

HQ Command for all your music equipment

With the MPC1000, Akai Professional's sample workstations began to gain a reputation as exceptional sequencers, with music producers from a wide range of genres adopting them for their MIDI gear. When the MPC5000 arrived, you had 64 MIDI channels at your command and there was no contest over who ruled the hardware sequencer world.

For a minute, hardware sequencing took a backseat to software production, but in recent years, not only has MIDI sequencing taken over, the rise of Eurorack gear and other cheap analog synthesizers has brought back CV/ gate. in style — and the MPC X is ready for anything.

Not to be outdone by the '5000, the MPC X includes four MIDI output ports, but also includes eight 3.5mm CV/gate outputs. This means you can sequence your all-analog synth gear together with your MIDI sound modules, creating stunning hybrid production systems, all controlled by your MPC X and fully integrated with the rest of your tracks. Dual USB ports also support MIDI over USB, allowing you to integrate your virtual instrument collection or lock onto another DAW.

Next, consider the MPC X's analog I/O. Whether you want to sample and cut vinyl breaks, lay down vocals, or send tracks to whatever other gear you have, all the connections are right there.

It always comes down to the sounds

First of all, if you want some specific sound on your MPC X, go nuts. You can load virtually any sample you want, or record new ones on the fly. That's classic MPC power. However, if you're looking for inspiration, all you need to do is dive into the massive 10GB Vault sound library. We're talking the best that Capsun Audio, MVP Loops and CR2 Records have to offer, as well as a ton of exclusive content from the sampling gurus at Akai Professional.

But what about your sample library? If you're like some of us, you may have a sample library that some would call overkill, but you can't live without it. That's cool — just load everything onto an external hard drive (HDDs and SSDs supported) and plug it into the 2.5-inch SATA drive connector.

A simpler option is to throw whatever you want onto an SD card or USB flash drive, but that's all up to you. Any way you look at it, MPC X makes it easy.

Upgrade your flow with MPC 2.10

When Akai Professional announced DAW software that looked like an MPC in 2012, the electronic music production world went wild. The immediate success of MPC Studio and MPC Renaissance paved the way for MPC X and laid the groundwork for MPC 2.10. It's no minor update — MPC 2.10 adds many user-requested features that complement the overall design philosophy of MPC X.

Many producers loved MPC 2.0's ability to record audio tracks along with their loops. This feature alone pushed MPC DAW software out of the beat-making realm into the big leagues with other loop-based DAWs. While they were at it, Akai Professional also updated their time warp algorithm, making sample stretching and clipping smoother than ever. You'll feel the enhanced Q-Link control in action from the way its Q-Link buttons respond as if they're a step in front of you, and drag-and-drop MIDI and audio take full advantage of the MPC X's touchscreen. version 2.10, you can now plug your favorite USB class-compatible audio interface into MPC X to directly record instrument and vocal tracks. Also included are 14 amazing plug-ins, such as the brand new Air Vocal Insert Effect Suite with Vocal Tuner, Vocal Harmonizer Effects and Vocal Doubler. With user-focused updates like this one, you're more equipped than ever to produce radio-ready tracks with MPC X.

Characteristics

• A complete standalone DAW that lets you disconnect from your PC;
• Everything you loved about sampling and creating beats on board;
• Offers a perfect blend of classic loop and modern track production;
• 10.1-inch multi-touch screen and all the convenient controls you need;
• 16 of the best velocity/pressure sensitive pads you'll ever feel;
• 16GB of internal storage and support for an external hard drive;
• Preloaded with an epic collection of sounds you'll actually use;
• Firmware 2.10 introduces 14 new plug-ins: 4 Instruments (Hype, Solina, Odyssey and Mellotron), 7 Insertion Effects (Half Speed, Diode Clipper, Stutter, Diffuser Delay, Sample Delay, Limiter and Granulator) and AIR Vocal Insert Set effects (vocal tuner, vocal doubler and vocal harmonizer);
• Option to connect USB class compliant interfaces directly for DAW-free recording of vocals and instruments
• MPC Drum and Keygroup Engine Enhancements such as Akai Pro Sample Tail, Dedicated Pitch Envelope and Keygroup Portamento;
• New drum effects including Ringmod, Bitcrush and Decimator
• Pro-quality, all-bases analog I/O connects to everything;
• Control all your gear with extensive MIDI, CV/Gate and USB I/O;
• Improved Q-Link control and drag-and-drop MIDI/audio also included;
• The 10GB Vault sample library includes production-ready content.

Specifications

• Type: Beat Production Workstation
• Internal sound engine: Multicore system with plug-in instruments, multi-sample key group instruments and drum expansion libraries
• Screen: 10.1-inch multi-touch screen with adjustable tilt
• Pads: 16 velocity/pressure sensitive RGB pads, full size
• Other controllers: 16 x Q-Link encoder buttons
• Sounds: 10GB pre-installed content including 3 MPC instrument plug-ins, multi-sampled key group instruments and drum expansion libraries
• Sequencer: 128-track MIDI, 8-track audio
• repeater: yes
• Sampling: Advanced sampling and audio editing/recording
• Analog Inputs: 2 x XLR-1/4 in. combo, 2 x 1/4 in. TRS, 1 x Dual RCA Stereo, 2 x 1/4 in. TS (instrument)
• Analog Outputs: 2 x 1/4 in. (master L/R), 6 x 1/4-in. TRS
• Headphones: 1 x 1/8 in., 1 x 1/4 in.
• MIDI I/O: 2 x In, 4 x Out, USB, Bluetooth
• Other I/O: 8 x 1/8 in. TRS (CV/Gate)
• USB: 2 x 3.0 Type A, 1 x 3.0 Type B
• Bluetooth: Yes (MIDI)
• Pedal Inputs: 2 x 1/4-in.
• Storage: 2GB RAM, 16GB internal storage, SD card slot, 2.5" expandable SATA bay
• Software: MPC 2 software;
• Compatibility: compatible with VST (controller mode);
• System requirements (Mac): OS X 10.10.5 or later;
• System requirements (PC): Windows 8.1 or later;
• Power source: 19V DC power supply (included);
• Dimensions (with flat screen): 50.5 x 42.4 x 8.6cm;
• Dimensions (with vertical screen): 50.5 x 38.9 x 21.3cm;
• Weight: 5.7kg.