Akai Professional: MPCs, MIDI Controllers, Drum Machines and More

When we hear "Akai," we think of the MPC -- the classic groovebox that combines a drum machine, sequencer, and sampler with a grid of 16 rubber pads, built to take the abuse of aggressive finger-drummers. The Akai MPC -- which once stood for MIDI Production Center, and now means Music Production Controller -- has seen a few updates since it first appeared in 1988.

Akai's top standalone groovebox, the MPC XL, is designed for music creation without a computer, so you can break free from the mouse and keyboard and get hands-on with your music. With the 10.1" touch display, MPCe (MPC-Expressive) pads for morphing synths, drum articulations, FX and more, 8-core processing under the hood, and tons of I/O on the back panel, it's a production powerhouse.

The slick, futuristic MPC Live III gives you the same MPCe pads and 8-core processing in a portable package with a 7" touchscreen -- plus tools designed for producers on the go, like the built-in mic, on-board stereo speakers, and a rechargeable battery.

Akai's MPC Sample is a portable groovebox that makes it easy to chop up samples for gratifyingly hands-on loop and beat creation.

An affordable alternative to the standalone grooveboxes, Akai MPC Studio brings the total MPC experience to your computer by combining intuitive hardware control and innovative, inspiring software.

Akai MPK controller keyboards have long been favorites of studio producers -- they combine great-feeling keybeds with MPC performance pads, even on small, affordable models like the MPK Mini series.

The original Akai APC40 was a big hit with Ableton producers, delivering hands-on control of all Ableton Live's functions -- clip launching, recording and mixing -- in one beast of a controller for a great price. The APC64 upped the ante with 4 RGB velocity-sensitive pads with poly-aftertouch and eight assignable touch strips.

Then there's the APC Mini and Akai MIDImix knob controller -- all amazing values on dedicated hardware controllers.

Want to play drums in your DAW? Akai Professional is at the top of their game when it comes to crafting great-feeling MIDI pad controllers. Using the same pressure-sensitive, velocity-sensitive performance pads found on MPC grooveboxes, Akai's MPD MIDI controllers give you that MPC feel when triggering drums and samples in your software. Just plug one of these Akai pad controllers into your laptop -- after the session or gig, it'll fit in your laptop bag.

The MPD218 offers MIDI-over-USB. If you're using USB MIDI, your controller will be USB-powered. If you prefer to use the 5-pin MIDI I/O, pick up the optional Akai MP6 power supply to power your MPD218.