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For decades, the MPC has been one of the most recognizable tools in music production. From classic beatmaking to modern sample-based production, it has been at the center of how countless producers build tracks. Now, Akai Professional is bringing that experience into a more compact and approachable format with the new MPC Sample.
Built as a portable sampler, sequencer, and effects processor, MPC Sample takes inspiration from the legendary MPC60 and reworks that classic workflow for creators who want to move fast, stay hands-on, and make music just about anywhere. It is compact, standalone, and designed to make sampling feel immediate right out of the box.
At the heart of MPC Sample are 16 RGB-backlit MPC pads with poly aftertouch, giving players the responsive feel the MPC name is known for in a smaller footprint. A 2.4-inch full-color display keeps chopping, editing, and playback easy to follow, while the simplified layout helps keep the workflow quick and intuitive. This is the kind of gear that encourages experimenting, building loops, and turning ideas into something real without getting bogged down in menus.
Akai also loaded MPC Sample with plenty to get started. It includes over 100 factory kits, along with onboard effects, real-time controls, and creative tools that make it easy to shape sounds on the fly. Features like Instant Sample Chop Mode, Real-Time Timestretch and RePitch, and internal resampling with FX make it easy to take a simple sound and flip it into something completely new.
One of the biggest draws here is portability. MPC Sample features a built-in speaker, internal microphone, onboard sequencer, and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that offers up to 5 hours of continuous playback. That means users can sample, sketch beats, edit audio, and play ideas back without needing a computer, interface, or full studio setup. Whether inspiration hits at home, backstage, or on the move, MPC Sample is ready to go.
It is also built with the connectivity today’s creators need. MPC Sample includes 8GB of internal storage, 2GB of RAM, and microSD card support for expanding sample storage. USB-C handles power and data while also opening up smart device sampling, audio and MIDI connectivity, and file transfer with Mac and PC. It is a flexible setup that works well for musicians who want standalone hardware convenience without giving up modern workflow options.
Around the back, MPC Sample offers a useful set of connections, including stereo 1/4-inch TRS audio input and output, 1/8-inch headphone output, 1/8-inch MIDI In/Out, and sync out. That makes it easy to use on its own or work it into a larger hardware setup when the time comes.
Under the hood, MPC Sample has plenty of power for serious creative work. It offers 32 stereo voices of polyphony, fast onboard disk streaming, and support for importing a wide range of audio formats including WAV, MP3, AIFF, FLAC, and OGG. The advanced sample editing tools go far beyond simple playback, with chopping, auto-snapping, looping, warping, and re-pitching all built in.
The effects section is another big part of what makes this unit fun to use. MPC Sample includes 60 onboard effect types, four internal effects processors, and dedicated knob control for real-time hands-on sound shaping. From performance effects to the new master compressor with retro color, there is plenty here for adding movement, texture, and character without slowing down the creative process.
And when an idea grows into something bigger, MPC Sample is ready for that too. Projects created on the unit can be loaded into MPC3, giving users a path to continue working in-the-box when they want to take a sketch further.
For producers, beatmakers, and creators looking for a true standalone MPC experience in a smaller package, Akai Professional MPC Sample brings together the feel of classic MPC workflow with the convenience of modern portability. It is a fun, flexible piece built for capturing ideas, flipping samples, and staying creative wherever the moment hits.