Music Production Center

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 onward. 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.

History

The original MPC60 was designed by Roger Linn, who was hired as a design consultant by Akai. He developed the functional design, including the panel layout and software/hardware specifications. He then created the software with a team of engineers. The hardware electronics were designed by English engineer David Cockerell and his team. Cockerell was a founding member of the synthesizer firm EMS (co-creater of their famous VCS3 along with Peter Zinovieff,), and then worked for effects manufacturers Electro-Harmonix.

Shortly after the MPC60's release, the MPC60-II was designed. Released in 1991, the MPC60-II offered most of the same features as the MPC60, with an added headphone output and a plastic housing replacing the original metal one.

MPC3000

The MPC3000 improved upon the MPC60 by adding 16-bit 44.1 kHz stereo sampling, increased memory, 32 voice polyphony, effects, filters, and SCSI. It was released by Akai in 1994. The MPC3000LE (Limited Edition) is identical to the MPC3000, except for its black custom design. It was released by Akai in 2000 and limited to 2000 units.

Features

16 velocity sensitive pads

4 pad banks (64 voices per program)

sampling rate of 16-bit 44.1 kHz stereo (freq response 20 Hz - 22.1 kHz)

2 MB sampling memory (22 seconds), upgradable to 32 MB (officially stated as 16 MB) (6 minutes)

SPIDF stereo input

32 voice polyphony.

2 MIDI inputs, 4 MIDI outputs

20 songs, 99 sequences, 99 tracks, 75,000 note capacity

timing resolution of 96ppq (pulses 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 There were 4 limited edition 2000XL SE MPCs created between 2000 and 2003. There were two versions of the SE 1, one with an improved control surface, compatible with growing number of sound libraries and one with aesthetic changes. The Limited Edition SE 2 and SE 3 also had only aesthetic changes. The 4 SE models can be seen here: http://www.loopers-delight.com/tools/akai/MPC2000/MPC2000.html. This model can also be seen in Kanye West's film titled "Runaway". He plays it as the Phoenix awakens and wanders around his backyard.

Features

Multi-Voltage operation (100-240VAC, 50/60Hz, 23W (13W w/out options))

Velocity sensitive pads with chromatic assignment for keygroups

Internal 3½" floppy drive or 100 MB Zip drive (upgradeable to a Zip 250 or MCD card reader) with folder support for storage

4 independent Pad-Bank keys

Adjustable angle screen

Time stretch with 18 presets

2 MIDI inputs, 2 MIDI outputs

Note-repeat key

300,000 note capacity 64-track sequencer

2 MB sampling memory (upgradable to 32 MB @ 3 min stereo/6 min mono)

AKAI MPC2000XL sample CD-ROM

Optional effects board (EB16)

Optional 8 outputs and digital I/O board (IB-M208)

SCSI interface

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. The MPC 4000 was replaced by the MPC 5000 in spring 2008. The MPC4000 suffered from the poorest timing of all the MPC's though because it made use of a slow internal MIDI communication between the sequencer and the samplers voice engine. This was dropped in all future MPC models MPC1000, MPC500, MPC2500 & MPC5000.

Features

16 velocity and pressure sensitive pads

2 MIDI inputs, 4 MIDI outputs

96 kHz 24bit sampling

16 MB sampling memory, upgradeable to 512 MB

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

MPC2500

The MPC2500 is the mid-range of the Akai line of MPCs. It has a 100,000 note, 64 track mixer with 64 assignable MIDI channels. It has 16 MB of RAM standard and can be upgraded up to 128 MB of RAM with the AKAI EXM128 stick of RAM. It contains a USB port for computer connectivity. It contains a CompactFlash slot for storage of samples, and can be upgraded with a variety of hard drives. The MPC2500 contains 2 MIDI inputs and 4 MIDI outputs. The MP2500 also has the Chop Shop feature, which can chop a sample into as many as 64 pieces. A CD drive can be added for burning and reading capabilities. Also comes with a 128 mb compact flash card with sound kits. MPC2500 was discontinued in 2009.

Features

USB port (Mass Storage Class)

CompactFlash card reader

16 velocity sensitive pads

2 MIDI inputs, 4 MIDI outputs

100,000 note, 64-track, MIDI sequencer

16 MB sampling memory (upgradeable to 128 MB)

Included standard effects include:Chorus, Flanger, Bit grunger, 4 band EQ, Compressor, Phase shifter, Tremolo, Flying Pan, Reverb, and Delay.

It contains 8 assignable outputs and 1 stereo output.

It has two assignable Q-link sliders and knobs.

240 x 64 hinged backlit LCD screen.

The CD-M25 CD Drive can added.

JJOS compatible

MPC1000

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

There have been some reported problems with the pad sensors in the 1000 . In the original MPC1000 sensors, a thin square of carbon-impregnated rubber is glued at each corner above a copper coil. When a pad is depressed, this carbon-impregnated rubber is compressed against the copper coil, allowing current to pass through. This moving part can wear out, as the carbon-impregnated rubber sloughs away from the glue and eventually breaks loose.

In 2007, Akai offered a pad upgrade, retailing at 180 USD. The pad sensors design returned to the design of the pad sensors in previous models. This upgrade has been seen to be pre-installed on the MPC1000BK-N and some versions of the MPC1000BK, not the MPC1000 (blue outer casing). Before this change, a MPC 1000 user designed, built and sold kits of a pad fix under the name "Nym." Nym's kit is no longer available. By comparison, the more recent Akai pad fix uses better sensor technology (Sensitronic FSRs).

Features

USB port (Mass Storage Class)

CompactFlash card reader

16 velocity sensitive pads

4 pad bank keys

2 MIDI inputs, 2 MIDI outputs

100,000 note capacity 64-track sequencer

16 MB sampling memory (upgradeable to 128 MB)

Effects as standard

Multiple analog outputs as standard

Timestretch and pitch shift (added in OS 2.0)

JJOS compatible

MPC500

The MPC500 is the smallest MPC ever made and is the first truly portable MPC created. It can be run on 6 AA batteries but also can be run on a 12V DC plug. It combines a 48-track MIDI sequencer and a 32-voice stereo digital sampler. The MPC500 is the first MPC that only has 12 velocity sensitive rubber pads. It comes with 16 MB RAM but can be upgraded up to 128 MB of RAM. It has a CompactFlash slot for storage of samples. One major appeal of the MPC500 is the fact that you can take a project created on the MPC500 and transfer it to any current MPC with a CompactFlash reader. The MPC500 has a USB port for computer connectivity. It has one stereo output, making it the only MPC currently in production that does not have assignable outputs.

Features

USB port (Mass Storage Class)

CompactFlash card reader

12 velocity sensitive rubber pads

Stereo L+R in & out

1 MIDI in and 1 MIDI out

4 pad banks

2 x 16 character LCD screen with back light

Standard effects include:Chorus, Flanger, Bit grunger, 4 band EQ, Compressor, Phase shifter, Tremolo, Flying pan, Reverb, and Delay.

Approximately 4.5 hours of continuous use with LCD backlight on.

465.5 sq CM footprint.

MPC5000

With a listed MSRP of $3,500, the MPC5000 was launched at the 2008 winter NAMM trade show. Its main innovations were an 8-track streaming hard disk recorder, a 20-voice, 3-oscillator virtual analog synthesizer with arpeggiator, a new sequencing engine with 960 ppq resolution, pad and track muting and mixing, 64 continuous sample tracks. It also has a new FX engine with 4 FX buses and 2FX per bus, and is considered by Akai to be its flagship MPC.

In addition, the MPC5000 features a 64-voice drum/phrase sampler with 64MB memory, expandable up to 192MB. The display is 240x128, twice the size of the MPC2500 and MPC1000. Integrated Chop Shop 2.0 now supports stereo chops and Patched Phrases. It is also the first MPC to include Random and Cycle sample playback in addition to velocity Zone Play. As on the MPC 4000, a turntable preamp is also included.

The MPC 5000 lacks some of the sample editing capabilities of the older MPC 4000, and also some of the hardware specs are lower than the MPC 4000 (max. 192 MB RAM vs. the 4000's 512 MB, and slightly smaller screen), but with an updated and more stable operating system.

Comparison

The following table offers a side-by-side comparison of a variety of statistics across the MPC product-line. The specs for the MPC 1000 and 2500 refer to the original AKAI operating system, unless mentioned otherwise.

See also

Akai

Drum Machine

Groovebox

External links

AkaiPro.com

Roger Linn Design New Version 3.10 software upgrade and Marion Systems SCSI hard disk interface kit for MPC60 I & II

JJOS JJ OS for the MPC1000

JJOS JJ OS for the MPC2500

MPC-FORUM Discussion forum for MPCs

Akai-Talk Discussion forum for MPCs and other Akai machines

Notes

Category:Akai synthesizers Category:Samplers Category:Sequencers Category:Sound modules Category:Workstations