Key Points
- Akai has released its new flagship groovebox, the MPC XL.
- It has four times the processing power of previous models and 16GB of RAM.
- It’s a standalone unit with a 10-inch OLED touchscreen and 16 iconic drum pads.
- The MPC XL comes with a large collection of plugins, samples, and effects.
Akai has just dropped its new flagship music production machine, the MPC XL. The MPC has been a legendary piece of gear since its debut in the 1980s, and this new version is the most powerful yet. It’s a standalone “groovebox” that can do everything you need to make a full track, without ever touching a computer.
The MPC XL is a beast. It has 4 times the processing power of previous models, allowing you to run up to 32 virtual instruments simultaneously. It also comes with a massive 16GB of RAM, which is a huge amount for a dedicated music machine. It can handle 16 audio tracks at once, which is more than enough to build a complex song.
The centerpiece of the XL is its 10-inch OLED touchscreen, but it also has a ton of physical knobs and buttons for hands-on control. And of course, it has the iconic 16 drum pads that the MPC is famous for. These pads are not just for tapping out beats; they can be programmed to trigger samples, launch effects, and do all sorts of other creative things.
While the MPC is known for its hip hop roots, the new XL is a versatile machine that can be used for any genre of music. It comes with a large collection of plugins, samples, and effects, including some from rival Native Instruments. The software has also been updated with features such as a full-arrangement view of songs, making the workflow feel more like a modern digital audio workstation.
This is a true flagship product, and it has a price tag to match. The MPC XL costs a whopping $2,900. It’s a serious investment, but for producers who want a powerful, all-in-one, standalone music-making experience, it might just be the ultimate machine.
