Akai Launches MPC Sample: A New Era for Portable Beatmaking

A New Standard for Portable Production

Akai Professional has officially announced the MPC Sample, a compact standalone sampler designed to distill the core of the company’s iconic beatmaking workflow into a highly portable, battery-powered unit. Priced at £349, the device is clearly aimed at both newcomers to the ecosystem and established producers looking for a dedicated, backpack-friendly sketchpad.

Drawing significant visual and functional inspiration from the legendary MPC60, the MPC Sample prioritizes tactile control and accessibility. By stripping back the complexity of larger workstations while retaining essential sampling, sequencing, and effects capabilities, Akai has created a device that feels both nostalgic and forward-thinking.

Design and Tactile Workflow

The hardware is built around 16 RGB velocity-sensitive pads featuring poly aftertouch, providing the expressive performance capabilities users expect from the brand. A 2.4-inch color display handles waveform editing and sample management, while three real-time control knobs and a parameter fader allow for immediate sound manipulation. Measuring just 23.6 × 19.4 × 5.0 cm, the unit is designed for creators on the move.

For mobile production, the inclusion of a rechargeable lithium-ion battery—offering up to five hours of continuous use—is a game-changer. The device also features a built-in speaker and internal microphone, allowing for “capture-anywhere” sampling. With 100 factory kits, 2 GB of RAM, and 8 GB of internal storage, it is well-equipped for serious mobile composition.

Advanced Sampling and Connectivity

Despite its compact footprint, the MPC Sample does not compromise on power. It offers 32 stereo voices of polyphony, disk streaming, and high-resolution sequencing at 960 PPQN. The sound design capabilities are bolstered by 60 effect types across four engines, including Pad FX, Knob FX, FlexBeat, and a Color-Compressor, allowing for complex processing without needing to export to a DAW.

Connectivity is robust, featuring stereo 1/4-inch inputs and outputs, MIDI I/O, and USB-C for power, audio, and file transfer. Perhaps most importantly, projects created on the MPC Sample are directly compatible with MPC3, ensuring a seamless transition from a portable sketch to a full-scale studio production.

By balancing affordability with the professional-grade features that have made the MPC a #1 producer staple for decades, Akai has positioned the MPC Sample as a formidable contender in the portable hardware market. Whether used as a primary instrument or a secondary creative tool, it represents a significant evolution in the brand’s long-standing legacy.