Akai XR20

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$185.00 to $328.00 Price Tier: Standard

4.0 (27)

2 Critic Reviews

4 Reviews

Find out who is using Akai XR20

2 wishlisted

48 saved

Page last updated Jun 10, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 2 stores. Prices updated June 10, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

3.9 (112)

$328.00 Used

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5.0 (25)

$185.00 8 available Used

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Average Price: $257

Standard/Professional

$150

$601+

Price Tier

In the Drum Machines category, Akai XR20 is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Standard

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Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Akai XR20". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 6, 2026.

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Description

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Embark on a rhythmic journey with the Akai XR20, a powerhouse drum machine that's both your studio companion and mobile beat factory. Compact yet robust, the XR20 is designed for creators who find inspiration in the moment and on the move. With its ability to run on both AC adapter or batteries, this machine breaks the chains that tie musicians to the studio. It's not just about beats; it's about crafting soundscapes with over 700 sounds, from punchy drums to ethereal synths, all at your fingertips. The XR20 isn't just a piece of gear; it's your musical partner, ready to bring your beats to life wherever inspiration strikes.

Key Features:

700+ sounds spanning drums, bass, synths, and more
32-note polyphony ensures a rich, layered musical experience
Battery or AC power options for making music on the go
Pattern Play mode allows for creative phrase assignment to pads
Built-in mic output for seamless vocal integration

Product specs

Brand	Akai
Model	XR20
Finish	Black
Year	2010s
Made In	Taiwan
Categories	Drum Machines, Samplers
Analog / Digital	Digital
MIDI I/O	MIDI Input, MIDI Output
Number of Pads	12 Pads
Polyphony	32 Voices

FAQs

How many sounds are included in the Akai XR20?: The Akai XR20 comes with 700 pre-loaded sounds, including drums, percussion, bass, synth, and vocal samples, making it versatile for various music genres.
Does the Akai XR20 support MIDI connectivity?: Yes, the Akai XR20 features both MIDI Input and Output, allowing it to be integrated with other MIDI-compatible devices for expanded control and functionality.
Are the pads on the Akai XR20 velocity-sensitive?: Yes, the 12 trigger pads on the Akai XR20 are velocity-sensitive, providing dynamic control over the intensity and expression of your beats.
Can the Akai XR20 be used for live performances?: The Akai XR20 is designed for both studio and live performance settings, offering features like note repeat and real-time pattern switching to enhance live beat creation.
What power options are available for the Akai XR20?: The Akai XR20 can be powered using an AC adapter, which is included with the unit, ensuring consistent performance during extended use.

Videos

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AkaiProVideo

Akai Pro XR20: Overview

AkaiProVideo

Akai XR20 ( Portable MPC ) Part B - Beat Making Basics

VJ FRANZ K - Creative Tech

Bad Gear - Akai XR-20 - The Last Digital Drum Machine???

AudioPilz

AKAI XR20 - a few demos

SynthMania

Akai XR20 ( Portable MPC ) Unboxing - Part A Intro

VJ FRANZ K - Creative Tech

Akai XR20 Drum Machine Factory Demo Song

Sound Programming

Akai XR20 #3 "Big Fingers" Dubstep Style Track August 2013

RaveTracks

Akai XR20 Demo: More than just a Hip Hop beat box

TVOD

How To Make a Beat with an AKAI XR20 Drum Machine | Tutorial

Industrial Industries World Radio

Some good features about the Akai XR20

David Shelton

Reviews

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PROS

Extensive sample library suited for all electronic music styles
Editable sounds with pitch, filter, and decay adjustments
Onboard compression/EQ and stellar reverb algorithms
User-friendly interface; great for sketching ideas quickly
Battery-powered for portability and use on the go
MIDI In/Out/Thru for controlling other devices
Organized samples for easy preview and selection
Good for a wide range of genres beyond hip hop

CONS

Lacks USB connectivity; relies on MIDI
Cannot upload your own samples
Pads are not velocity-sensitive
Feels cheap and less sturdy due to plastic build
Consumes batteries quickly

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Akai XR20.

Features and functionality

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The XR20 has 32-note polyphony across the entire machine, offering a flexible range for creating layered sounds.
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A foot switch can be used to toggle between two patterns live, enhancing real-time performance capabilities.
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The Akai XR20 is a ROM-pler, meaning it only uses preloaded sounds and does not support adding new samples.
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The XR20 includes a limited number of onboard effects, notably a filter, although it wasn't extensively covered in user tutorials.
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The XR20 is battery-operated, enhancing its portability and making it suitable for on-the-go music creation without needing a power outlet.
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Includes MIDI in/out, allowing integration with other MIDI-capable hardware, expanding its use in a hardware-only setup.
Source

Use cases and applications

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Ideal for hybrid music styles, such as combining rock and R&B, akin to James Blake's "Overgrown" meets Radiohead's "Kid A."
Source
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The XR20 offers a variety of drum, one-shot, and synth sounds, catering to diverse musical styles and beginner-level projects.
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Value and pricing

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The XR20 is frequently available on the secondhand market for $75-$80, making it a cost-effective option for budget-conscious musicians.
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User experience

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Owners appreciate the XR20 for its simplicity and effectiveness, particularly those not requiring the advanced features of an MPC.
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Users find the layout intuitive enough for children to start making beats within minutes, indicating its user-friendly design.
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Comparisons

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Compared to the Roland SP404, the XR20 offers more preloaded sounds and greater storage capacity but lacks the ability to load custom samples.
Source

Critic Reviews

Akai XR20

soundonsound.com

The Akai XR20 is a solid entry-level drum machine tailored for hip-hop and R&B production, offering instant creativity with its 100 ready-to-use kits and back-lit pads for intuitive pattern programming. While it lacks the sampling power of its MPC cousins, it compensates with a straightforward, portable design perfect for quick beat-making. However, its fixed sound set and peculiar velocity response can be limiting, especially for those seeking dynamic expression. The XR20 shines in live settings and as a straightforward studio tool, but its volatile settings memory might frustrate frequent users. For those seeking simplicity without heavy customization needs, it's a decent buy, but aspiring producers might want to consider investing in an MPC for greater flexibility.

positive

Full Review

Akai XR20 review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Akai XR20 is a compact, user-friendly drum machine that impresses with its solid build and great sound quality, making it a worthy tool for inspiring beat makers. It features a traditional design reminiscent of older drum machines, providing an intuitive interface with MPC-like pads and a clear display. While it shines with its high-quality urban sounds and simple editing tools, it falls short due to a lack of USB connectivity and the inability to customize sound sets. Additionally, users must set quantization prior to recording, which may limit post-production flexibility. Despite these downsides, the XR20 remains a great choice for creating unique beats both in studios and live performances.

positive

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4.0 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 27 Ratings

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jadanycoleellise

over 7 years ago

Great sounds, but overall function and make could be thought out more.

Great sounds, but overall function and make could be thought out more. I used to love this thing. It was my very first drum machine. Had some great classic hip hop sounds, synth sounds, you could customize reverb and other sound effects. It seemed really cheap though. It used batteries for portable use so that was pretty cool. But the overall plastic feel felt less than sturdy. But as a first drum machine it was great. Sold it in college when I needed some cash and now I'm honestly pondering buying another one...

zack_monroe

187

almost 10 years ago

This is a neat little thing!

Easy to use. Everything comes straight from the machine. Battery powered, so it great to use on the fly. I use this with my sp 404 for effects and more arrangements.

Only thing is that it eats up batteries, and it would be a spectacular machine if you can load in your own samples with a card or something. Plus I wish the pads were velocity sensitive But I guess that's what MPCs are for...

But still, I use it mainly for it's drums and some of the cool samples it has on it. I can get around the whole sample loading issue and combine it with my sp404.

Haven't used it as a controller yet... but i think you're better off with an actual usb midi pad. This is more of an external hardware

jaydontplay

280

over 9 years ago

Decent drum machine, great for hi-hop sounds - slightly outdated nowadays but still good.

This is great for making rap, R&B, club and hip-hop beats. It also does do things like rock and techno beats, and what have you, but it's more focused for the other stuff. One great thing is it's portable and you can run it on batteries so you can make beats anywhere you want. I've even used this flying on a plane.

lightingnerd

104

over 11 years ago

Easy, great beat machine.

Simple, easy to use. Unfortunately you cannot upload your own samples, and must use the built-in library, but it's not that bad. I enjoy the portability, and capacity to make beats with one piece of hardware and a pair of headphones while looking into the nearby city park(aka the forest). It does also have midi in/out/thru so you can utilize it to control other devices, as well! Totally worth the price.

Artist usage

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The Flashbulb (Benn Jordan)

Singer, Guitarist

Verified via YouTube

In a YouTube video titled "The Flashbulb - Improvised MIDI Guitar," The Flashbulb (Benn Jordan) is seen using the Akai XR20 drum machine.

Neon Vines

Singer, Music Producer

Verified via YouTube

can be seen at 0:20 in the video

Robert Hood

Music Producer, DJ

Underground Resistance

Verified via Redbullmusicacademy

Per his 2014 interview with (Tokyo) Red Bull Music Academy:

That’s what I use today. That and I use an Akai XR20 drum machine, a microKORG and maybe an MPC 5000 which is a monster in itself. Those are pretty much my weapons of choice. Not a lot.