It seems like just yesterday we were ogling the launch of Akai’s inexpensive, ultra-portable standalone MPC …okay, three weeks. But Akai delivered some important updates in the 1.3 firmware, available today, on top of V1.2.1 (in case you blinked). Here’s what’s new.
MPC Sample is still about simplicity, so don’t expect big, kitchen-sink feature lists — that’s just not the point. (And if you want customizability, Ableton’s Move beckons, especially with custom firmwares and RNBO support.) But shrinking the MPC workflow down to everybody’s favorite stuff is already a big hit, and at $399, you can squeeze it next to your other favorite gear. (I’ll bet we see Move + MPC Sample!)
So here’s what they’ve added — and not bad for a device that’s three weeks old:
- Normalize Sample (Sample > Trim and then hold SHIFT + Button 2)
- Knob Takeover — Pickup, Scaled, and Instant, set individually for Standard, Knob FX, and the Fader. (SHIFT + Pad 8)
- Lots o’ fixes…
- SD Card Access (Project > SD Card Access — so you don’t even have to pop the SD out of the device)
- Export Song to Sequence. Instead of using audio, this gives you a project you can edit/record automation over.
- Loop Lock per Pad. (SAMPLE > TRIM, Loop Lock – B1). This locks the loop to the start position, per pad, so you can pick the pads that have lock states.
- Improvements to saving, disk streaming.
Firmware downloads and updated documentation
Don’t have an MPC Sample and want one? So, the USA is on preorders — Sweetwater is showing August (!). Here in Europe, things look brighter; Thomann has 1-2 weeks. That could change, of course.
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MPC Sample Portable Sampler + Sequencer @ Perfect Circuit
AKAI Professional MPC Sample @ Thomann
Akai Professional MPC Sample Portable Groovebox @ Sweetwater (with bundle options)
That’s impressive for this little device. They’re doing a great job of workflow stuff — way more than I expected, honestly, and sometimes besting more complex competitors.
Curious for more? Have some videos.
I appreciate this review from Sanjay C; he has some ways of working with it that are worth checking out (plus it’s beautifully shot). For instance, makes up for the lack of internal devices by connecting a mobile device over USB-C and using apps almost like plug-ins. He expands on control with Novation’s awesome LaunchControl XL. And he goes over features like sample chopping and actually makes some music. Plus bonus points for a cat making a cameo.
1.3 update:
And the official overview:
Previously, I looked at how the MPC Sample would compare to the original MPC60, across the decades: