Description
The X is a standalone MPC featuring a beautiful, full color 10.1 in. multi-touch screen that flips up for easy viewing or lays back into the chassis for transport and times when you don’t need a front view of the screen (like when you’re playing pads live). It has 16 amazingly responsive, velocity and pressure sensitive RGB pads and 16 gigs of internal storage. To make it a truly untethered, computer-free experience, the X also features two USB slots that can be used for MIDI controller connectivity. Rounding out the controls are dedicated menu buttons, a large master encoder knob and 16 touch-sensitive 360º assignable pots (Q-Links) with OLED displays, perfect for precisely automating individual parameters and delivering expressively nuanced recordings.
To Plug or Not to Plug
Powering the X is MPC 2.0, Akai Professional’s new update to the MPC software. Capable of running natively on the MPC X in standalone mode, MPC 2.0 can also be run from a Mac or PC with the X tethered to a computer. A number of new features added to 2.0 include: audio track recording, an improved time warp algorithm, enhanced Q-Link control, audio and MIDI drag and drop.
Infinite Sounds, Unlimited Inspiration
The MPC has a reputation for sounds that hit hard and sound great right out of the box. Pre-installed with 10 gigs of world-class sounds, The Vault 2.0 features samples and kits from top-notch sound design companies including Capsun Audio, MVP Loops, CR2 Records, as well as Akai’s own. The X also features a 2.5” SATA drive connector providing more storage via external hard drive for your own samples. Additionally, sounds can be accessed and added to the library using the built-in SD Card slot or the USB thumb drive.
Above and Beyond
Onboard CV/Gate outputs enable the analog control of modular gear such as classic synths and drum machines. For vinyl users, two RCA phono inputs with RIAA preamp have been included to ensure the right levels are coming into the X directly from your turntable. The joy of sampling vinyl is at the core of what made the classic MPC workflow legendary. Akai stays true to these roots while simultaneously improving the sound and stability of the sampling process.
The MPC X is the pinnacle of lengthy research and development, detailed feedback from our passionate user base and the merging of the best technologies from across the Akai product line.
edited 9 months ago
So glad they took the time to make it right!
So glad they took the time to make it right! I started back on the mpc2000, then got a 4000... then DAMN the game changed now its all computer based VST's etc.. ALONG came another "machine" that I kept trying to like, but no matter how much I tried to use another platform I just couldn't get into it. I had a couple year period where I tried all different softwares and sequencers, but nothing could do it for me (at that time it was the renaissance). I hit a slump UNTIL Akai finally redeemed themselves with this MPCX model! I feel right back at home with the natural MPC swing, Sequencer style and song mode! not to mention you can sample directly in to it like the old MPC2000/4000. They basically took the best of the digital world and merged it with the old hardware that everyone loved.