A Guide to the Akai Professional MPC

Akai Professional released the MPC60 in 1988—an event that would forever reshape how music was made. Designed in collaboration with drum machine legend Roger Linn, the MPC, short for “Music Production Center,” fused a powerful sampler with a tactile 4x4 grid of velocity-sensitive pads, allowing artists to chop, trigger and sequence samples in real time. Its swing quantization and intuitive layout gave rise to a feel that no other piece of gear could replicate—it was refreshingly loose, more human and dripping with soul.

From there, the MPC became a cornerstone of modern production, constantly evolving to this day. The MPC3000 was released in 1994, giving us cleaner sampling and tighter MIDI integration; the MPC2000XL (1999) brought that workflow to a generation of bedroom producers; and the MPC5000 (2008) gave us onboard synths and hard disk recording. Through it all, the MPC became the heartbeat of hip-hop, R&B and electronic music. Think of J Dilla’s stuttered swing, DJ Premier’s chopped-up zest, RZA’s rugged soul loops, 9th Wonder’s gospel flips or AraabMuzik’s live finger drumming—all riding on the back of that MPC magic.

Pictured: Akai Professional MPC Key 37

As Roger Linn himself explained in Greg Milner’s Perfecting Sound Forever: The Story Of Recorded Music, “It was a very pleasant surprise. After 60 years of recording, there are so many prerecorded examples to sample from. Why reinvent the wheel?”

Today’s MPC series honors its iconic legacy, while being primed to continue to shape the future of music—bending and blending genres to create entirely new ones. Whether you want a keyboard-integrated studio rig like the MPC Key 37 or 61, or an elevated throwback-infused experience in the MPC X SE, every standalone model in the lineup runs on the same MPC3 software platform, including a vast library of plug-ins from Akai and Native Instruments, letting you go from raw idea to full production—all without touching a laptop, if that’s your vibe.

And if you plan on taking it on stage or using it as a DAW companion, there are purpose-built options for you, too. Let’s get to it, and take a closer look at the current MPC line-up, focusing on key specs and features of each model to determine the best choice for your creative flow, budget and use case.

Pictured: Akai Professional MPC X Special Edition Controls and Pads

Table of Contents

Comparing Modern Akai Professional MPCs
Choosing the Best Akai Professional MPC for Music Production
   Akai Professional MPC Key 37
   Akai Professional MPC Key 61
   Akai Professional MPC Live II
   Akai Professional MPC One+
   Akai Professional MPC X Special Edition
   Akai Professional MPC Studio
Get Hands-on With MPC

Comparing Modern Akai Professional MPCs

Model	Standalone	Pitch/Mod Wheels	Touchscreen	Internal Storage	RAM	Ideal For
MPC Key 37	Yes	Yes	7"	32GB	2GB	Keyboard-centric beatmakers
MPC Key 61	Yes	Yes, plus Touch Strip	7"	32GB, expandable via SSD	4GB	Studio producers and keyboardists
MPC Live II	Yes, plus battery power	No	7"	16GB, expandable via SSD	2GB	On-the-go music making and live performance
MPC One+	Yes	No	7"	16GB	2GB	Entry-level standalone MPC workflow
MPC X SE	Yes	No	10.1"	48GB	4GB	Higher-end production studios
MPC Studio	No	Touch Strip only	N/A	N/A	N/A	DAW users who want MPC feel and workflow

Choosing the Best Akai Professional MPC for Music Production

Akai Professional MPC Key 37

Why It Hits Different: MPC workflow meets a fully playable keyboard in a compact, travel-friendly package.

Things to Consider

• The first MPC with an integrated 37-key semi-weighted keybed
• Standalone-ready with built-in instruments, effects and sampling tools
• Ideal for keyboardists who want full production control without a computer

Shop Now: Akai Professional MPC Key 37 Production Synthesizer

Compact doesn’t mean compromised. The MPC Key 37 production synthesizer brings the signature MPC sampling and sequencing workflow into a more mobile format—one that happens to include a keyboard, pitch/mod wheels and a 7" touchscreen. With MPC3 software onboard, you get access to plug-in instruments, drag-and-drop sampling, real-time time stretching and everything else that makes the most modern MPCs tick. It’s a smart pick for producers who want to compose and perform on the same rig without going full workstation. Check out our demo and overview of the MPC Key 37, as well as another showcasing MPC Stems functionality on the Key 37, both featuring Akai Professional’s Andy Mac.

What People Are Saying About the Akai MPC Key 37: Having earned a 100% “would recommend to a friend” rating from Guitar Center customers, it’s a home run. Rob from Nashville speaks highly about its ease of use from the get-go: “Everything feels great. From the time I got it out of the box, to setting it up, exploring the sounds and learning the DAW … took probably around an hour and a half total. And this is coming from someone that's never used MPC hardware or software before this one.”

Akai Professional MPC Key 61

Why It Hits Different: This flagship keyboard production center turns sampling, sequencing and synthesis into one fluid creative process.

Things to Consider

• 25+ onboard instruments make this a standalone synth and sampler in one
• Includes CV/Gate outs for modular integration
• Designed for producers who want to write, arrange and mix with or without booting a DAW

Shop Now: Akai Professional MPC Key 61 Production Synthesizer

The MPC Key 61 production synthesizer blurs the line between standalone hardware and full-blown studio workstation. Whether you're sampling vinyl, sequencing drums or tracking plug-in synths, it all happens seamlessly on the 7" touch display with MPC3 at the core. The onboard instrument suite includes everything from pianos to synths to cinematic textures, and with expansive I/O—including MIDI, audio, four line outs and eight CV/Gate output jacks—this MPC plays harmoniously with traditional and modular setups alike.

What People Are Saying About the Akai MPC Key 61: The Key 61 rocks a 4.89-star average rating from 18 reviews on Guitar Center. Paul from Detroit raves, “The MPC is the most powerful standalone workstation bar none … Pinch and zoom, copy and paste, you name it—it's in there! I've used every type of keyboard/synth from every major manufacturer … I can tell you that nothing touches Akai MPC.”

Akai Professional MPC Live II

Why It Hits Different: The only MPC with built-in speakers and a battery, it’s ready to flip samples and get your production pumping wherever life takes you.

Things to Consider

• Rechargeable battery offers several hours of standalone operation
• Built-in stereo speakers for monitoring or impromptu sessions
• Includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless file transfers or Ableton Link

Shop Now: Akai Professional MPC Live II Production Controller

Think of the MPC Live II as the most road-ready MPC ever made. With its compact footprint, rechargeable battery and onboard speakers, it’s built for beatmaking in motion—from bedroom studios to tour buses. And just like its big siblings, it runs full MPC3, meaning you’re still getting multi-track recording, sample slicing, plug-in hosting and arrangement tools without needing to plug into a laptop.

What People Are Saying About the Akai MPC Live II: Another highly rated MPC, Live II earned some lofty praise from an experienced Portland musician: “The addition of the speaker is ingenious and in my honest opinion is a huge upgrade from the first edition. It gives you way more options. I can take it and make beats on my lunch break. I can chop samples and chop vegetables without getting tangled in my headphones, monitors, wires, etc. before serving dinner. My four year-old son loves sampling random stuff with an SM58, which is dope, too.”

Akai Professional MPC One+

Why It Hits Different: The entry-level standalone MPC packs more RAM and faster CPU than its MPC One predecessor—plus wireless connectivity.

Things to Consider

• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled for Splice integration, updates and more
• Smaller footprint but full MPC software experience
• Perfect for producers starting their MPC journey

Shop Now: Akai Professional MPC One+ Standalone Music Production Center

Don’t let its modest size and enticing price fool you—MPC One+ punches well above its weight. Now with upgraded internals, this compact unit offers the same deep sampling and arranging capabilities as higher-end MPCs, but in a smaller, more budget-friendly package. MPC3 means you can load instruments, chop samples and build out full tracks without even touching a computer.

What People Are Saying About the Akai MPC One+: Kenrick loves its adaptability as the hub of his setup: “I needed it for the versatility, and for it to be the center of my music inspiration—whether shredding with my guitars or just putting the beats together with my keyboards.” The One+ has scored a perfect 5/5 stars from Guitar Center reviewers.

Akai Professional MPC X Special Edition

Why It Hits Different: Akai’s most powerful MPC yet boasts vast I/O, expansive storage and a 10.1" screen.

Things to Consider

• 4GB RAM and 48GB storage for serious session-building power
• 10.1" multi-touch display makes editing, sampling and arranging effortless
• A flagship option with a price to match

Shop Now: Akai Professional MPX X SE Standalone Sampler and Sequencer

If you're the type to build entire albums in a single box, the MPC X SE is your production powerhouse. With CV/Gate, USB, MIDI and line-level ins and outs, it’s built to be the brain of any setup—from analog synths to mic inputs. And with the full MPC3 suite onboard, you get pristine audio recording, plug-in hosting, sampling tools and advanced MIDI sequencing—all from that massive touchscreen. Plus, one look at it harkens back to the MPCs of old—its gray and red color scheme is an homage to the original MPC60.

What People Are Saying About the Akai MPC X SE: Max from San Jose, CA has this to say about the X SE: “Used in studio with multiple synths, this sequencer really rocks … Plenty of control at your fingertips. Sound quality is great. MPC workflow takes a bit to get used to, but is very intuitive.”

Akai Professional MPC Studio

Why It Hits Different: This extremely affordable controller has the feel of an MPC, streamlined into a slick chassis that brings the MPC2 experience to your DAW.

Things to Consider

• Slim profile takes up minimal desk real estate
• MPC2 software for your computer gives you full sample editing, sequencing and plug-in hosting
• Ideal for beatmakers who work in the box but want tactile control

Shop Now: Akai Professional MPC Studio Music Production Controller

MPC Studio isn’t standalone like the rest in this guide, but it brings that familiar MPC feel to your DAW workflow with a clean interface and responsive pads. While there’s not a desktop software for MPC3 as of this writing, MPC2 paired with your DAW offers a full virtual MPC setup with features like real-time pitch shift, sample layering and automation. If you want that iconic swing and pad layout without going all in on a hardware box, this is your bridge. For an in-depth look at the conception and creative flow of this controller, check out our exclusive MPC Studio interview with Andy Mac.

What People Are Saying About the Akai MPC Studio: Aaron from Jacksonville is head over heels about his MPC Studio: “Akai has done a great job of making the MPC a modern hybrid instrument. I have used almost every incarnation of the MPC over the years. This box is just the right mix of features and usability to make the experience genuinely MPC. It’s all about that workflow. Love being able to work with VSTs within the MPC environment—it's the best of hardware and software.”

Get Hands-on With MPC

Pictured: Akai Professional MPC Key 37 Pads and Modulation Wheels

From the MPC60 to the MPC X SE, Akai has consistently evolved the MPC to meet the demands of producers without losing what made the legacy MPCs so revolutionary. Whether you’re recreating old-school classics, injecting your own twist on trap, boom bap or lo-fi, or concocting a whole new world of rhythm and melody, there’s an MPC built to meet you where you create.

With the release of MPC3 and a partnership with Native Instruments, Akai’s latest MPCs offer seamless workflows, plug-in instruments and expansive sampling tools—all while honoring the legacy of those 16 iconic pads that changed music forever. Be sure to watch Andy Mac’s walkthrough on all the exciting features on MPC3, and head over to Guitar Center in-store or online to pick out your next beatmaking machine.