Music Production Center

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Music Production Center ( MPC ) is the name of a series of samplers - and sequencers - or drum computers from the Japanese electronics manufacturer Akai . Before the MPC 1000 was developed, these were known as the MIDI Production Center. However, since the devices became more technically demanding and could handle audio material better and better, it was technically no longer a classic MIDI sequencer, which is why the series was renamed.

As before, the Music Production Center is best known by the abbreviation MPC or Akai MPC and is mainly used in the field of hip-hop .

The concept of the MPC 60 and MPC 60 II was developed by Roger Linn . Characteristic of the MPC are the 16 dynamic and velocity-sensitive pads with which drum sounds and samples can be played. The MPC work pattern-oriented .

Models

In the meantime Akai has released ten MPCs and some special models, which differ primarily in terms of memory and expansion options:

MPC 60

MPC 60

The oldest device and cult device in the range. It was launched in 1988. The standard capacity of the volatile main memory of the MPC 60 is 750 kilobytes and can be doubled (1.5 megabytes) by installing a special board. Samples are recorded in mono, with 40 kHz sample rate and 12 bit (non-linear) resolution. The sound quality is clearly inferior to a CD. A maximum of 5 seconds can be recorded with it.
Used as the most modern standard in its time, the MPC 60 played a decisive role in the creation and development of the music styles that were current at the time. The sound of these musical styles with its own sound, which is now called "dirty", was shaped by the devices of that time, which is why current sound modules and software use effects that achieve a sound similar to the sound of the old samplers by reducing the sample rate and bit width of the audio signal (referred to as "LoFi", "Bit reducer", "Bit grunger" or similar).

MPC 60 II

This model is based on the MPC 60 and has a completely different housing. It was launched in 1991. In addition, a headphone output was integrated on the front. The technical details are identical to the MPC 60.

MPC 3000

In 1994, this very rare model came on the market with more expandable memory up to 32 mb and considerable firmware improvements (OS 3.10 can also be retrofitted for MPC 60). The MPC 3000 also has a display that is easier to read than the MPC 60 mk1.

MPC 2000

MPC 2000

AKAI launched this MPC model in 1997. It offers the possibility of up to 32 MB RAM memory , a pedal board as well as eight individual outputs retrofit. The individual outputs allow separate processing of the various tracks outside of the MPC, which considerably improves flexibility in production. In addition, external to SCSI - hard drives and Zip drives or card readers are connected. The MPC 2000 has an internal floppy disk drive as standard.

MPC 2000XL

MPC 2000 XL

The most popular MPC to date came onto the market in 1999. It is an extended version of the MPC 2000 and has a height-adjustable display. There are also several special models of the MPC 2000XL that differ primarily in terms of appearance. The MPC 2000XL MCD is a special feature, which is equipped with an internal card reader instead of a floppy disk drive.

MPC 4000

The MPC 4000, the flagship of the MPC series, has a very large, very easy-to-read display and can be fully managed via a connected computer. It came onto the market in 2002 and is the most powerful MPC of the entire series because it is the only one that can process samples with 24 bit and 96 kHz and the RAM can be expanded up to 512 MB.

MPC 1000

MPC 1000

The first MPC with compact dimensions came onto the market in 2003 and was supplied with an internal Compact Flash card reader as standard . The device can be connected to a PC or Mac as a mass storage device via USB , which enables fast transfer of samples. It also has four individual outputs as standard and instead of the classic square ones now has rectangular, somewhat harder pads. The device comes with 16 MB RAM memory, which can be expanded to 128 MB. An internal hard drive can also be installed with the help of an adapter. The MPC 1000 is available in a blue / red and a black version, which are technically identical (apart from the softer pads with the reliable sensor technology of older MPCs in the new black version, with the exception of the first production runs of that version). The unofficial firmware JJ OS , mainly written by a Japanese programmer who was previously involved in the development of the devices for AKAI, received a lot of attention because it extends the range of functions of the MPC 1000 to that of an MPC 2500 and beyond. Allegedly he got his nickname 'Japanese Jenius', or JJ for short, at AKAI. The firmware is available in several differently priced versions. Among other things, there is also a variant for a larger display, which is offered in online shops as an unofficial accessory and must be installed independently. As a result, the pixels expand to 240 × 128.

MPC 2500

In the MPC 2500, functions such as chop shop and grid edit have been integrated into the official firmware. It was launched in 2005. The unofficial JJ OS is also available for this model and is preferred by some users due to the changed workflow. The MPC 2500 Special Edition, which is no longer manufactured, had a striking white housing and a blue display as well as a CD burner.

MPC 500

With the option of battery operation, the MPC 500 is the first truly mobile model in the series. It was launched on the market in 2007. For the compact format, the number of pads has been reduced from 16 to 12 and the display has been made smaller. In addition, the functions of the operating system have been reduced. For example, important functions such as AUDIO INPUT THRU or CHOP SHOP (SLICING) are missing and the assignment options for the Q-Link fader are very limited.

MPC 5000

MPC 5000

As of 2009, the MPC 5000 was the top model in the MPC series. Among other things, it has a built-in 24-voice VA synthesizer, an 8-track hard disk recorder and a larger display. In addition, the basic configuration of the MPC 5000 comes with 64 MB sample ram, which can be expanded to 192 MB. Further features are the built-in ADAT interface, which allows the digital transmission of 8 audio channels. The effect equipment has also been expanded compared to the smaller models. The number of Q-Link controllers has also been doubled compared to the MPC 2500.

MPC Touch

The MPC Touch model came onto the market at the end of 2015. This is a pure controller, i.e. H. a computer is also required. This model is no longer in production.

MPC Live

MPC Live has been on the market since spring 2017. Like the earlier models, it offers the option of being used independently. But it can also serve as a controller on a computer. The MPC Live can be used on the move thanks to its built-in lithium-ion batteries. A 7 "multi-touch display is installed.

MPC X

The current top model, the MPC X, has been on the market since autumn 2017. The 8 CV / Gate outputs, which enable direct connection to modular synthesizers, are new. A 10.1 "multi-touch display is built-in, and the 16 Q-Link controllers each have a small display that shows the current function.

Known MPC users

Web links

Commons : Akai MPC series  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files