Akai has unleashed its most formidable standalone groovebox, the MPC XL, leaving no doubt that this unit is the pinnacle of the company's evolution. With roots dating back to the 1980s, the MPC has been an integral part of hip-hop culture, and its latest iteration has catapulted it into a league of its own.
The MPC XL boasts four times the processing power of its predecessors, allowing for the simultaneous loading of up to 32 virtual instruments, courtesy of its 16GB of RAM. This is particularly noteworthy in an era where artificial intelligence has become ubiquitous. The device can handle 16 audio tracks simultaneously, more than enough to create a full-fledged song.
The MPC XL runs on a custom proprietary operating system and features a 10-inch OLED touchscreen for intuitive adjustments. A vast array of knobs and buttons provide hands-on control, including 16 interactive knobs that mirror the display for real-time feedback.
At its core, the MPC XL is an MPC – it retains the classic step sequencer, drum pads, and other defining characteristics. However, it has also been revamped to cater to modern producers. The addition of 16 programmable drum pads is a standout feature, allowing users to manipulate samples and triggers in multiple ways. Each pad can be adjusted independently across four quadrants, providing unparalleled control.
For those seeking an even more nuanced experience, the MPC XL offers two assignable touch-strips and numerous shortcut keys. Built-in microphone preamps, phono inputs for sampling, instrument inputs, and a myriad of connectivity options round out this flagship device.
While originally designed for hip-hop, the MPC XL has transcended genres to become a versatile tool for musicians across the board. It comes equipped with an extensive library of plugins, samples, and effects – including collaborations with rival company Native Instruments.
Notably, the MPC XL's software can handle advanced tasks such as stem separation, time-stretching, and more. Its workflow has been heavily influenced by modern DAWs, with a comprehensive arrangement view available on the OLED touchscreen.
The MPC XL is an uncompromisingly powerful standalone unit that doesn't require a computer, but its power requirements mean it needs to be plugged in – similar to Native Instruments' Maschine+. Available now and priced at $2,900, this device demands attention. With comparable prices to Roland's recently released TR-1000 drum machine, the MPC XL is undoubtedly a serious investment for serious producers.
The MPC XL boasts four times the processing power of its predecessors, allowing for the simultaneous loading of up to 32 virtual instruments, courtesy of its 16GB of RAM. This is particularly noteworthy in an era where artificial intelligence has become ubiquitous. The device can handle 16 audio tracks simultaneously, more than enough to create a full-fledged song.
The MPC XL runs on a custom proprietary operating system and features a 10-inch OLED touchscreen for intuitive adjustments. A vast array of knobs and buttons provide hands-on control, including 16 interactive knobs that mirror the display for real-time feedback.
At its core, the MPC XL is an MPC – it retains the classic step sequencer, drum pads, and other defining characteristics. However, it has also been revamped to cater to modern producers. The addition of 16 programmable drum pads is a standout feature, allowing users to manipulate samples and triggers in multiple ways. Each pad can be adjusted independently across four quadrants, providing unparalleled control.
For those seeking an even more nuanced experience, the MPC XL offers two assignable touch-strips and numerous shortcut keys. Built-in microphone preamps, phono inputs for sampling, instrument inputs, and a myriad of connectivity options round out this flagship device.
While originally designed for hip-hop, the MPC XL has transcended genres to become a versatile tool for musicians across the board. It comes equipped with an extensive library of plugins, samples, and effects – including collaborations with rival company Native Instruments.
Notably, the MPC XL's software can handle advanced tasks such as stem separation, time-stretching, and more. Its workflow has been heavily influenced by modern DAWs, with a comprehensive arrangement view available on the OLED touchscreen.
The MPC XL is an uncompromisingly powerful standalone unit that doesn't require a computer, but its power requirements mean it needs to be plugged in – similar to Native Instruments' Maschine+. Available now and priced at $2,900, this device demands attention. With comparable prices to Roland's recently released TR-1000 drum machine, the MPC XL is undoubtedly a serious investment for serious producers.
. I've been hearing some great things about hip-hop producers using it, but honestly, anyone who needs more than 4 drums should just get a laptop and use Ableton lol. The OLED touchscreen is super sleek, and the customizable knobs are gonna make life easier for producers. But $2,900? That's a pretty penny... I'm not sure if it's worth it unless you're already hooked on Akai products or want to level up your production game ASAP 
the fact that you can load 32 virtual instruments at once is just mind blowing 
i'm def adding this to my wishlist ASAP 
not to mention the touchscreen interface is SO intuitive. it's like they really listened to what producers wanted and delivered 
but yeah $2900 is a pretty steep price tag... maybe for those who are serious about producing, though 
- Alan Kay... but honestly, who needs to predict their future when you can just cop an MPC XL and start creating? 
With its insane processing power and intuitive interface, this thing is a beast. If you're a serious producer, the investment is worth it – it's like having your own mini studio in a box 
.
! Like, I was already obsessed with my old MPC and now it sounds like Akai has outdone themselves with this latest iteration 
. And the fact that they've kept all the classic MPC features while adding new stuff like those crazy programmable drum pads? 
. And can we talk about how fancy-schmancy the OLED touchscreen and touch-strips are? 
. With its insane processing power and 32 virtual instruments loaded up at once, you can create entire worlds with just one device 
. If you're serious about your music game, the MPC XL is like a badge of honor - you gotta have one to be considered a true producer 
.
. The price might be steep at $2,900, but trust me, this thing is worth it 
Just saw that a massive wildfire in Australia has spread to 500,000 acres and multiple homes are being destroyed. 
The smoke is so bad it's been closed off the whole city of Melbourne. 
And to make matters worse, the Aussie dollar just hit an all-time low due to droughts and trade wars. 
Can't wait to see what kind of crazy beats producers come up with using this thing 
And can we talk about the library of plugins and samples? I mean, collaborating with Native Instruments? That's like getting a VIP pass to the music production party 
can you believe how much power this thing has?! 16GB of RAM and 4 times more processing power than its predecessors? that's insane! 
. It's still an MPC at heart, which is awesome, but have you seen the size of this thing? 
We'll have to see how it shakes up the music scene, but for now... 
The new Akai MPC XL is indeed a game-changer in the music production world, but its price tag might be a stretch for many aspiring producers. I think it's cool that they've made it more accessible with an extensive library of plugins and samples, though