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Akai MPC

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An AKAI MPC2000 sampler

Akai MPCs (originally MIDI Production Center, now Music Production Center) are a popular and well respected series of electronic musical instruments originally designed by Roger Linn and produced by the Japanese company Akai from 1988 onwards. Intended to function as a powerful kind of drum machine, the MPCs drew on design ideas from machines such as the Sequential Circuits Inc. Studio 440 and the Linn's own Linn 9000, combining a powerful MIDI sequencer with the ability to sample one's own sounds. Later models feature increasingly powerful sampling, storage, interfacing and sound manipulation facilities, which broaden the use of instrument beyond just drum and rhythm tracks.

The MPC has become a staple part of the hip hop culture with many references to it in songs, as well as being a must-have for most serious or intent hip hop producers. Claims have been made that most professional rap producers use either an MPC or an Ensoniq ASR-10, or both; it should be noted however, that the MPC design is fundamentally a pad sampler/sequencer, unlike traditional keyboard samplers such as the ASR-10. Whilst overshadowed somewhat by the emergence of computer based production techniques and increasingly cheaper interfaces, the MPC base models such as the MPC3000 and MPC2000XL maintain popularity due to their robust and reliable nature. The MPC has also become a stronghold in present studio environments, due to the fact the unit implements and utilizes the WAV file format. This allows material created on the MPC to then be further edited on more contemporary platforms (i.e. PC, Macintosh) using more recent software applications (e.g. Pro Tools, Cubase, etc.)

The basis for the MPC stems from Roger Linn's early designs, yet has continued as a marketing force after his involvement. Many claim Akai have let the MPC range down by poor service attention, lack of OS updates for popularly requested features and "chasing the field" media formats (i.e. re-releasing the MPC2000XL with a CompactFlash card reader in 2004). Despite this, few sampler/sequencers are as robust; and the MPCs' features still demand respect.

The MPC series is said to introduce a unique kind of groove on rhythmic patterns especially when using the swing function. There are several groove templates implemented in Pro Tools and other software which try to emulate the timing. Purists even claim to sense a distinctive difference in "groove" and "punch" between the models originally designed by Roger Linn (MPC60 (II)/MPC3000) and latter models that were based on Akai's S- and Z-Series Samplers.

MPC Models

feature comparison of different MPC models
Model Date Sampling Max. RAM Polyphony Timing Res. No. of Events
MPC 60 1988 40 kHz non-linear 12 bit mono 1.5 MB 16 96 ppq 60,000
MPC 3000 1994 44.1 kHz 16 bit linear PCM stereo 16 MB (32 MB unoff.) 32 96 ppq 75,000
MPC 2000 1997 44.1 kHz 16 bit linear PCM stereo 32 MB 32 96 ppq 300,000
MPC 4000 2002 96/48/44.1 kHz, 24/16 bit linear PCM stereo 512 MB 32 (64 for 44.1 kHz) 960 ppq 300,000
MPC 1000 2004 44.1 kHz 16 bit linear PCM stereo 128 MB 32 96 ppq 100,000
MPC 2500 2005 44.1 kHz 16 bit linear PCM stereo 128 MB 32 96 ppq 100,000

MPC60

The MPC60 was a 16 voice polyphonic 12-bit 40kHz sampler / 99 track sequencer designed in large part by Roger Linn after Linn Electronics closed. It was similar to the Linn 9000. Akai released it in 1988. It had 750kB memory standard, expandable to 1.5MB. The sequencer is very flexible and powerful, famous both for its "swing" setting, and its easy to use step programming. It had 2 MIDI inputs / 4 MIDI outputs, allowing it to control up to 64 devices. The sequencer itself was offered as a separate product, known as the ASQ10, also released in 1988.

Features

  • 16 velocity sensitive pads
  • 4 pad banks (64 voices per program)
  • sampling rate of 40kHz (freq response 20Hz - 18kHz)
  • 16-bit ADC and DAC, with data stored in special non-linear 12bit format (for lower noise)
  • 750kB sampling memory (13.1 seconds), upgradable to 1.5MB (26.2 seconds) (expansion card: EXM003)
  • 128 sounds in memory, 64 sounds per program, 16 voice polyphony.
  • 2 MIDI inputs, 4 MIDI outputs
  • 20 songs, 99 sequences, 99 tracks, 60,000 note capacity
  • timing resolution of 96ppq (parts per quarter note)
  • syncable via MIDI Time Code (MTC), MIDI Clock, FSK24, SMPTE, 1/4 note click.
  • SMPTE supported frame rates: 24, 25, 29.97 drop, and 30.
  • 8 assignable outputs + 1 stereo + 1 effects send/return
  • Internal 3½" floppy drive (Double Density 720 kB)
  • optional 3rd=party SCSI interface (by Marion Systems)

MPC60-II

The MPC60-II was nearly identical to the MPC60, but it featured a headphone output, and a plastic case, instead of the metal case of the original. It was released in 1991.

MPC3000

The MPC3000 improved upon the MPC60 by adding 16-bit 44.1kHz stereo sampling, increased memory, 32 voice polyphony, effects, filters, and SCSI. It was released by Akai in 1994.

Features

  • 16 velocity sensitive pads
  • 4 pad banks (64 voices per program)
  • sampling rate of 16-bit 44.1kHz stereo(freq response 20Hz - 22.1kHz)
  • 2MB sampling memory (22 seconds), upgradable to 32MB (officially stated as 16MB) (6 minutes)
  • 32 voice polyphony.
  • 2 MIDI inputs, 4 MIDI outputs
  • 20 songs, 99 sequences, 99 tracks, 75,000 note capacity
  • timing resolution of 96ppq (parts per quarter note)
  • syncable via MIDI Time Code, MIDI Clock, FSK24, SMPTE, 1/4 note click.
  • SMPTE supported frame rates: 24, 25, 29.97 drop, and 30.
  • 8 assignable outputs + 1 stereo + 1 effects send/return
  • Internal 3½" floppy drive
  • SCSI

MPC2000

The MPC2000 is a 64-track sampler/sequencer introduced in 1997 and discontinued in 2000. It comes with 2MB sample memory as standard, and can be expanded to 32MB. It supports sampling rates of 22 or 44.1 kHz, in stereo or mono.

Features

  • 16 velocity sensitive pads
  • Internal 3½" floppy drive(upgradable to zipdrive or flashcardreader)
  • 1 pad bank
  • 2 MIDI inputs, 2 MIDI outputs
  • 100,000 note capacity 64-track sequencer
  • 2MB sampling memory (upgradable to 32MB)
  • Optional effects board (EB16)
  • Optional 8 outputs and digital I/O board (IB-M208)
  • SCSI interface

MPC2000XL

The MPC2000XL is similar to the MPC2000 but with added features; including four pad-bank keys, time stretch and resampling along with others new features. In 2004 the 2000XL-MCD version was released, which features a CompactFlash card reader as standard in place of the floppy drive or Zip drives used in earlier models.

Features

  • 16 velocity sensitive pads
  • Internal 3½" floppy drive or 100MB Zip drive
  • 4 Pad Bank keys
  • Time stretch
  • Resampling
  • 2 MIDI inputs, 2 MIDI outputs
  • Note-repeat key
  • 300,000 note capacity 64-track sequencer
  • 2MB sampling memory (upgradable to 32MB)
  • Optional effects board (EB16)
  • Optional 8 outputs and digital I/O board (IB-M208)
  • SCSI interface
MPC2000XL SE-2 (Special Edition)

MPC4000

Released in 2002, the MPC4000 was intended by Akai as a "top-of-the-range" flagship product. Not only was it the most fully-featured MPC product yet (building on the MPC60, 3000 and 2000XL), but it also incorporated the sampling engine from the latest model in Akai standalone sampler range (the Z8, building on the legacy of Akai's well-respect S-series samplers).

The MPC4000 gained some notoriety amongst users for having a bug-ridden OS and poor product support, with some originally advertised product features still not implemented in 2006.

Features

  • 16 velocity and pressure sensitive pads
  • 2 MIDI inputs, 4 MIDI outputs
  • 96kHz 24bit sampling
  • 16MB sampling memory, upgradeable to 512MB
  • IDE bays for installation of internal hard disk drive and CD-ROM drive.
  • Optional plug-in boards: Effects board, ADAT board, S/P-DIF & wordclock board, 8 analogue outputs board
  • SCSI interface

MPC1000

The MPC1000 is a 64-track sampler/sequencer. It comes with 16MB sample memory as standard, and can be expanded to 128MB. It supports sampling rates of 22 or 44.1 kHz, in stereo or mono. Its features include an USB port, an internal CompactFlash card reader, 2 MIDI inputs and outputs and effects and multiple analog outputs as standard. 96 ppq.

Features

  • USB port (Mass Storage Class)
  • CompactFlash card reader
  • 16 velocity sensitive pads - known to go bad over time. very easy to repair using contact cement.
  • 4 pad bank keys
  • 2 MIDI inputs, 2 MIDI outputs
  • 100,000 note capacity 64-track sequencer
  • 16MB sampling memory (upgradable to 128MB)
  • Effects as standard
  • Multiple analog outputs as standard
  • Timestretch and pitch shift (added in OS 2.0)
      • NOTE - 3rd Party OS coded by a Japanese team of programmers. This os includes grid edit, better zone/chop implimentation, a better save/load interface, and numerous bug fixes. download the 3rd party os here - http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~mpc1000/

Other MPC Models

  • MPC2000XL SE(3 variations)
  • MPC2500
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