Akai Professional Unveils MPC 3: The Next-Gen Operating System for MPC

Akai Professional, the brains behind some of the coolest music production gear, has just dropped something huge: MPC 3. If you know anything about Akai, you know their MPC series is legendary, a go-to for beatmakers and producers everywhere. The new MPC 3 OS is packed with awesome features like an Enhanced Main Mode, a Linear Arranger, and a Track and Pad Mixer, all designed to make your music creation process smoother and faster than ever.

Brand New Features

• Enhanced Main Mode: This new interface makes it super easy to find your way around and get to the tools you need.
• Linear Arranger: Now you can arrange your tracks in a straight line, which makes creating and editing songs a breeze.
• Track and Pad Mixer: A colourful mixer interface that gives you precise control over your tracks and pads.
• XL Channel Strip: Beefed-up channel strips with more controls for fine-tuning your sound.
• Q-Link Macro Controls: Assign multiple parameters to Q-Link knobs for tweaking sounds in real-time.
• Enhanced Drum Grid: A more detailed and vibrant grid for programming your drums.
• Disk Streaming: Stream samples straight from your disk, saving memory.
• Advanced Automation: Better automation for more expressive and dynamic music.
• Direct to Pad Sampling: Sample sounds and assign them directly to pads quickly.
• 8 Sample Layers: Layer up to 8 samples per pad for richer, more complex sounds.
• Full Instruments and Effects Plugin Compatibility: Use a wide range of plugins for endless sound possibilities.
• Legacy Project Importing: Bring in projects from previous MPC versions easily.
• MPC STEMS Standalone Compatible: (*STEMS sold separately) Supports the new MPC STEMS format.

A short history of Akai and the MPC…

Let’s take a quick trip down memory lane. Akai Professional has been changing the game since 1984, and their MPC series has been a cornerstone in music production since it hit the scene in 1988. The MPC brought sampling and sequencing into one easy-to-use device, quickly becoming a Favorite for producers. Over the years, the MPC has kept evolving, always incorporating the latest tech to keep up with the times.

The operating system is a big part of what makes the MPC so special. It’s been tweaked and improved over the years to make producing music as seamless as possible. With MPC 3, Akai is stepping things up again. The Enhanced Main Mode makes it easier to navigate, the Linear Arranger simplifies track creation, and the Track and Pad Mixer gives you detailed control over your mix. These updates are all about making your workflow smoother and more intuitive.

Highlights

The Enhanced Main Mode interface is all about making life easier, letting you get to your tools and workflows quickly. The Linear Arranger is perfect for straightforward track creation and editing.

The Track and Pad Mixer offers a vibrant, full-colour interface for precise control, and the XL Channel Strip gives you more ways to shape your sound. With the Q-Link Macro Controls, you can tweak multiple parameters in real-time.

The Enhanced Drum Grid is visually detailed, making drum programming more enjoyable. Disk Streaming frees up memory by streaming samples directly from the disk. Advanced Automation provides more expressive and dynamic performances.

With Direct to Pad Sampling, you can quickly sample and assign sounds to pads, while 8 Sample Layers allow for richer, more complex sounds. The system also supports full instruments and effects plugin compatibility, offering endless sound options.

The compatibility with the new MPC STEMS format (sold separately) adds even more flexibility and power to your setup.

Join the Public Beta

Akai Pro wants you to join the MPC 3 Public Beta. This is your chance to try out the new features and help shape the final product. Sign up now and be part of the process!

For more info and to sign up for the public beta, head over to Akai Professional’s website. Keep checking Noisegate for more updates on Akai’s latest gear and other exciting news in the music tech world.