2009 NAMM Show: Akai has announced the MPK 25, the latest addition to its MPK series of keyboard controllers with MPC pads. Features: 25-key, semi-weighted keyboard with aftertouch 12 MPC pads Q-Link controls MPC technology Arpeggiator with six different modes USB class compliant which means it does not require custom drivers to work with Mac… Read More Akai MPK 25
audioMIDI.com‘s Tom Luer demos Akai’s new EWI USB wind controller. Akai Professional’s EWI USB is a wind controller that features a plug-and-play USB interface for use with the included Aria software with Garritan and Akai Professional samples as a sound source. EWI USB is Mac and PC compatible. Professional players will find EWI USB fully… Read More Akai EWI USB
This video demos the Akai MPK49 MIDI Controller. The Akai MPK49 features: 49-key, semi-weighted keyboard with aftertouch and full-sized keys 8 full-sized, 360 degree rotation pots, each with 3 banks for 24 pots total 12 genuine MPC pads with velocity and pressure sensitivity 8 full-sized sliders with 3 controller banks for each for 24 sliders total MPC… Read More Akai MPK49 Controller Demo
DJ EGADZ‘s reinterpretation of What We Are Destined To Do. The video was performed and recorded live – no loops or background tracks. All sounds are programmed onto the buttons and played in real time. Directed by Patrick Guera. via CrateKings
Akai has introduced a new Electronic Wind Instrument, EWI USB. The $499.00 wind controller features a plug-and-play USB interface for use with the included Aria software with Garritan and Akai Professional samples as a sound source. Features: Electronic wind instrument controller Easy to play, easy to use, and easy to own Powerful, flexible, and reliable Plug-and-play USB… Read More Akai Introduces Inexpensive Electronic Wind Instrument
SCSIforSamplers now offers a SCSI card reader designed to replace the drives on vintage samplers. The MCDISK-2 is a solid-state Media Card drive that has no moving parts and makes no noise during operation. It comes in a small beige case that is 8.5″ x 6.75″ x 2.25″ and can be used in any orientation,… Read More Solid State Drives For Vintage Samplers
MPC-Samples.com has released the SFX Collective – a samplepack containing 405 weird and brooding sound effect samples and noises. Contents: Blips & Beeps: Weird and wonderful electronic noises & pulses Hits & Explosions: Thunderous, crashing atmospheres and textures Guns: Gun shots, rifles recoils, silencers and arming sounds Perverse Reverse: Great for building tension; disturbing and brooding reversed… Read More SFX Collective for Akai MPC Samplers
It looks like Akai is responding to the scorching criticism of it’s latest workstation, the Akai MPC 5000. Akai Professional has released new Operating System firmware for all its current MPCs, including the MPC5000, MPC2500, MPC1000 and MPC500. MPC5000 OS update Operating System version 1.02 for MPC5000 resolves 14 issues, most notably enabling producers to… Read More Akai Updates OS For MPC5000, MPC2500, MPC1000 and MPC500
Remember when Just Blaze ripped Akai a new one over the state of the MPC 5000? Here’s a different view, from a What’s the 413 TV Havoc & Alchemist interview. Good to see another viewpoint – but Blaze makes a pretty harsh case. via Crate Kings
Interesting look at the history and significance of the Akai MPC, with an emphasis on hip-hop, but it also looks at some experimental stuff. Current via Crate Kings
