Akai MPC workstations: the complete guide

The Sample is an excellent choice for newcomers to the MPC. As the most affordable entry and one of the most compact in the range, it’s also a great option for beatmakers and producer who want a simple machine to jump straight into crafting songs and sample on the go, to essentially use as a sketchpad. As a standalone piece of kit, you’re fully able to control the Sample without connecting to a PC. It’s still built on the same framework as the higher models, so Akai isn’t skimping out on sound quality with access to the MPC software ecosystem.

You get the famous 16 RGB velocity-sensitive performance pads to tap in beats and play in real-time, plus a 2.4-inch colour display. The effect controls are stripped back to just the three for fast sound shaping. There are over 100 factory kits to delve into for sequencing and clipping samples. Simple, intuitive but still powerful.

Best for:

•   First-time MPC buyers
•   Bedroom producers
•   Students
•   Focusing on sampling and sequencing
•   Use as a travel-friendly sketchpad

The MPC One is, for most producers ready to dip into MPC or looking to upgrade, the most optimal workstation in the line-up. Great value, exceptional flagship features without the intense complexity of larger machines, and all the benefits of the new Gen 2 improvements. Generation 2 MPC’s bring the most up-to-date experience with an 8-core processor, which means faster loading times, smoother performance and increased processing capacity for sprawling projects. The workflow is sharper too with an arrange mode to drop in different section of your songs, and a helpful Super Timestretch – an algorithm letting you change the tempo across multiple audio samples at different BPMs without significantly affecting pitch or sound quality.

Just a handful more highlights of the MPC One include a gorgeous 7-inch full-colour multi-touch display, a massive 64GB and support for 16 stereo audio tracks and 8 CV/Gate outputs, all in a compact case. Full track production, hands-on beat-making and all the great little touches of the most technologically advanced MPC One yet.

Best for:
•   Home producers
•   Hip-hop and electronic music producers
•   Musicians upgrading from MPC One/One+
•   Producers after flagship software without the price
•   Studio-based music production

The MPC Key 37 G2 is a notable standout in the line-up, as it’s the only MPC with a keyboard! Any musician who wants to get more hands-on with the playing side of things both live and recording will love the 37-key aftertouch keys, giving you yet another option to imprint your style into the classic MPC sound and workflow. You also get dedicated pitch and modulation wheels to add a splash of panache as you perform. No need to connect to an external synth engine either, as it’s all onboard with over 10GB of factory sounds.

As part of the Gen 2 revisions to the range, the Key 37 benefits from all the latest tweaks the same as the MPC One. That includes USB-C audio streaming, MIDI integration and Ableton project compatibility. The Key 37 saves you from buying an external keyboard and you'll be better off for it if your musical style depends on playing classical piano, electric piano and synth pad sounds.

Best for:
•   Keyboard players and songwriters
•   Producers using software synths
•   Performers after a compact keyboard workstation
•   Producers who create melody-heavy music

Akai’s Live III is the premium portable MPC for producers who want access to the famously smooth standalone production wherever you go, all without sacrificing the top professional features.

It’s made to head out of the studio to use where inspiration strikes best. That’s exactly why the Live III is battery powered, contains built-in stereo speakers and even boasts a condenser microphone to record samples out in the world. To run a fully wireless machine you need exceptional processing power. The Live III also debuts Akai’s most advanced MPCe pads. They enable X/Y control of one-shot layers, seamless sample blending, and dynamic note repeats and articulations. As with the MPC One, there’s 32 plugin tracks and 16 stereo tracks to build out your songs. Combine all this with the expressive touch strip and you’ve got an incredibly flexible live workstation.

If you’re already a big fan of the MPC and someone with refined taste and appreciation for retro aesthetics, then the Live III Retro is a must pick-up. Identical to the standard Live III but in a cool, vintage-inspired colourway. A great collector’s item.

Best for:
•   Touring musicians
•   Live performers
•   On-the-go producers away from the studio
•   An all-in-one portable workstation

The XL is the flagship standalone MPC sampler and sequencer. This is the best collection of sounds and functions Akai can concoct and a worth centrepiece for a professional studio, offering maximum processing power, connectivity and control.

As the most loaded MPC, the XL boasts a large 10.1-inch touchscreen to map out all your tracks and samples with ultimate precision. What makes the MPC XL a great studio hub is the excellent 16GB RAM and Gen 2 8-core processor for effortless speed and capacity, and the 256GB NVMe SSD card (with expandable SATA storage), allowing you to hold all the samples you want.

You won’t have trouble connecting to everything you need either as the XL acts as a super powerful audio interface. It’s got a whopping 8 individual line outputs, 8 CV/Gate outputs, dual XLR/TRS combo inputs with mic preamps and phantom power and dedicated instrument inputs for guitars and keyboards.

The performance side of the XL is exceptional too, with the same new and expressive 16 MPCe pads and touch strip as the Live III. Control all parameters and editing across 16 Q-Link knobs, each with its own OLED display providing clear visual feedback. There’s a comprehensive library of premium plugin instruments, effects, and samples to pick from. In short: the ultimate DAWless producer workstation.

Best for:
•   Professional producers
•   Commercial recording studios
•   Hardware synth users and modular/CV setups
•   Hybrid DAW + hardware workflows
•   Advanced sound designers