Introducing The Akai MPC Renaissance (2012 NAMM Show Sneak Preview)

Akai has introduced MPC Renaissance – a new music production controller that combines Akai’s MPC workflow with the power of your computer.

Features:

  • Fuses legendary MPC production with the processing power of your computer
  • Vintage Mode changes output sound character to MPC3000, MPC60 and more
  • 16 backlit genuine MPC pads, 16 Q-Link controls, and adjustable backlit LCD screen
  • Classic MPC Note Repeat, MPC Swing and MPC transport controls
  • MPC SOFTWARE for Mac or PC with 64-track sequencing capability
  • Two XLR-1/4” combo inputs and dedicated turntable input
  • Four-channel US B 2.0 audio interface and two-port US B 2.0 hub built in
  • Up to eight pad banks?more than any other MPC ever
  • Two MIDI inputs and four MIDI outputs
  • Stereo 1/4” out, stereo assignable mix 1/4” out & S/PDIF I/O

Software:

  • 64-track sequencing capability
  • Massive 6GB+ sound library, including all of the sounds of the classic MPC3000
  • Instant mapping and real-time adjustment of VST plug-ins
  • Record each track as an MPC drum program, Keygroup program or VST plug-in
  • Runs standalone and as VST, AU or RTAS plug-in
  • Supports WAV, MP3, AIFF, REX and SND
  • Supports samples and sequences from any MPC ever made
  • Mac and PC-compatible
Details to come at the 2012 Namm Show.

13 thoughts on “Introducing The Akai MPC Renaissance (2012 NAMM Show Sneak Preview)

  1. It’s quite weird that this doesn’t work standalone, but it apparently needs to be plugged in to the software. With all those ins/outs a nice standalone machine that you can connect to you computer for extra integration would have been great.

    1. They currently do make stand alone versions: The MPC5000, MPC2500, MPC1000, and the MPC500. This one is their answer to Native Instruments Maschine (finally!). This actually looks really cool!

      1. if you visit http://www.akaiprompc.com/ there are two countdown for “MPC studio” and “MPC Fly for iPad2”.
        I’m pretty sure the MPC studio would be a standalone machine.
        This Reinassance seems a “F**K you NI Maschine my controller is bigger than yours” xD

    1. I thought we were talking about standalone hardware, not software; that it runs as standalone software is obvious, you know, it’s written…

  2. I’m not sure how to feel about this one yet… whether this thing will be successful or not is going to depend on the software…

    Questions I have : 64 tracks is good, but how does it handle plugins? Automation? Is the sampling improved from the hardware? Can you use an external midi interface to sequence multiple hardware synths? Since it lacks 8 outs, will we get drag n drop audio like on machine?

    Issues I have with this “MPC” : The “tightness” of the sequencer cannot compete with dedicated standalone hardware. Many MPC guys have refused to upgrade after playing machine/reason/ableton and noticing how the feel is not as tight. It also lacks 8 analog outs, and the standard 4 midi outs. Also, this new MPC will only be as reliable as the computer it runs on, and nowhere near as dependable/portable/sturdy as a 2000xl. As far as I know, those are the only reasons why people still choose an MPC over the software solutions… This new MPC had better bring an awesome UI and feature set to the table if it wants to be taken seriously.

    1. Your criticism of software *sequencers* doesn’t make since to me, at least for playback. Native drums inside Reason or Ableton – or a software MPC – played by their respective sequencers *should* be sample-accurate, true zero lag since each sample can be pre-rendered.

      Well-written DAW *sequencers* have the luxury of knowing exactly what sounds are required and when they are required, and they have lots of time to render whatever audio they will need and to fill the audio buffer up with samples which are played back with precise timing. If something has to go in sample 1, it goes in sample 1, whether it’s from a drum machine, a synthesizer, or a recording. When sample 1 is played back, it contains a sample of the entire sequence at that instant, synchronized across devices.

      As a result (for example), Reason’s *sequencer* can start every note in a chord at the exact same sample time – something you can’t do, for example, with a single channel of 31 KHz MIDI. (USB MIDI should be a bit better, although I would still expect some latency.)

      So the situation is different for *live* performance or recording, since Reason and Live (and the MPC) can’t start a live drum hit until they get a MIDI signal (clairvoyant sequencing is a planned for a future release.)

  3. Looks awesome to me. I always wanted to get an MPC, as someone who started out producing hiphop (or an sp1200, vastly different but still legendary in hiphop). I haven’t had a chance yet, but it still intrigues me when I see my heroes jamming on them, like 303’s and 909’s do for acid techno heads.

    NAMM rarely disappoints….

  4. This is most likely another amazing Akai production tool, but lets be honest, NI dealt a hard blow to Akai with Maschine. Many producers wanted the power of computer, and the feel of hardware. This is obviously Akai’s attempt to regain the customer base they lost when Maschine blew up.

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