Akai Professional introduce the MPC Live II, the next evolutionary step of the MPC Live line. The MPC range has been pivotal in the world of music production, and the Live II looks set to continue this trailblazing legacy.  

This outstanding unit boasts everything you'd want in a standalone, professional-grade music production toolkit. Not only does it come with an even bigger selection of effects, functions and features; it's been vastly expanded to be a versatile mobile hardware controller. CV connectivity, advanced multi-channel MIDI capabilities, built-in battery and stereo speakers - all in a single portable enclosure.

Key features

• Standalone MPC - no computer required
• Powerful sampler & sequencer
• Built-in stereo monitors
• 6.9" hi-res multi-touch display
• 16 velocity-sensitive RGB pads
• Internal rechargeable battery with up to 5 hours' power
• Phono/line-level inputs
• 3 stereo outputs (or 6 mono)
• 2 x MIDI in, 2 x MIDI out
• Quad-core processor, 2GB ram
• 16GB onboard storage, user-expandable 2.5" SATA connector
• 2 x USB 3.0 connections for sticks or controllers
• 4 x TRS CV jacks (8 outputs in total)
• Wi-fi & bluetooth enabled
• Ableton Link for cross-platform collaboration
• 3-months free access to Splice

Complex Has Never Been This Easy! 

Striking the balance between ease of use and number of features is an ongoing struggle in the world of musical equipment. It's evident with the MPC Live II, however, that Akai are at the forefront of innovation.

A crucial element of this intuitive design is MPC 2.8, the built-in DAW. Every feature you'd ever need is right there, simply a flick away, there's really nothing else to it. Expect a near-unparalleled workflow, with amazing real-time editing and a beautiful full-colour 6.9" LED-backlit touch display.

The MPC Live II is also the first MPC unit to feature built-in stereo monitors. Combined with a built-in battery and wi-fi/bluetooth connectivity, it's the perfect mobile production workhorse. Home, studio or on the move, the MPC Live II has got you covered.

MIDI & Hardware Integration

2 x MIDI inputs and outputs allows hassle-free connectivity to your MIDI-compatible hardware. Controllers, desktop synths and more.

With the latest MPC firmware update, MPC MIDI capability has been drastically upgraded. This allows connection to class-compliant MIDI devices via USB, advanced MIDI routing to any compatible gear, and even multitrack recording capabilities. The MPC Live II has the potential to be your new studio hardware centrepiece.

In addition, you get 4 x CV jacks (covering 8 outputs in total) for seamless control of modular hardware. Whether it's a semi-modular synth or a full-blown Eurorack setup, the MPC Live II will fit right in. 

In-depth Sampling and Massive Library

The MPC-X boasts a whopping 16GB vault of pre-installed sounds. Out of the box, you're equipped with everything you need to build a track in pretty much any style. This includes samples from F9 Audio and the new Sonic Boom sound set. 

It doesn't end there though; you've also got capacity to load up any samples of your own to create fresh sounds. Record them in, load them via USB or even SD card!

New in MPC Firmware 2.10 - Incredible new features and Sounds

AKAI just launched version 2.10 of the MPC firmware, their biggest update ever, with loads of new features and improvements! Let’s go through some of the amazing novelties you can enjoy with version 2.10.

USB class audio support

You can connect your standalone MPC with your USB audio interface by navigating through the preferences menu and finding your sound card. You can also up to 32 inputs/outputs (but beware of the CPU usage!)

New plugin Instruments

Version 2.10 includes loads of new instruments that you can easily download by selecting ‘Get Synth Content’ from the MPC Menu/Help Menu. Explore the new AIR collection including AIR Hype, covering everything from hard-hitting plucks to sultry melodic leads, AIR Solina, recreating the classic string machine and AIR Mellotron, a recreation of the famous tape keyboard. You can also experience a faithful reproduction of the WayOutWare Odyssey.

New AIR Vocal Audio Effects

A new suite of AIR vocal effects: Tuner to make your vocals sound perfect, Vocal Harmonizer, a four-part vocal-harmonizer effect and Doubler, to add presence to your vocal line or create realistic double effects.

New AIR insert effects

Enjoy new effects to spice up your tracks! Just to name a few, AIR Half Speed is the ultimate tool to create half-speed versions of any sound source, for supercool transitions: Air Stutter will make your sounds glitch changing in volume, pan and pitch! Discover all of them & get crazy experimenting.

New Akai insert effects

With the 2.10 firmware update, you’ll gain access to new Akai insert effects. Enjoy the power of a granulator to slice and manipulate your tracks and sample delay to add a cool stereo effect. 

Drum and Keygroup program improvements

Akai have reworked drums and keygroups to ensure a smoother workflow. Now you can add tail to any audio file to avoid abrupt and unnatural endings. There’s a new randomisation section as well, to add subtle variations to your drum samples. If that wasn’t enough, Version 2.10 adds eight effects slots for your drum pads, including bitcrush, decimator, soft clipper and many more!

Key Detection

Your MPC can now automatically calculate the key of a sample. Add any audio file with melodic content and let it do the work!

These are just some of the amazing new features you can enjoy with Version 2.10. What are you waiting for? Go download it now on AKAI Professional's website!

Here's What Akai Say About New in MPC 2.9 - Introducing DrumSynth

MPC’s iconic drum sound can’t be disputed, gracing countless productions with the nefarious snap and punch coveted by countless world-class producers. Now with MPC 2.9, MPC arms the production community with a groundbreaking selection of 8 synth engines powering 9 incredible DrumSynth plugins. Packed with must-have contemporary sounds, and backed by powerful sound generators driven by all-new FM synthesis, analogue & physical modelling and sample based algorithms, every synthesised drum sound the modern producer should have at their disposal is here. 

DrumSynth empowers MPC users with powerful synthesis, incredible presets and precise sound design sculpting capabilities to develop their own unique sounds. Like all MPC instruments, DrumSynth plugins harness the refined tactile touch user interface for an inspiring, easy-to-use workspace that accelerates workflow and puts the control you demand only a touch away! The 8 engines include Kick, Snare, Clap, Hi-Hat, Crash, Ride, Tom and Percussion. Additionally, all the engines can be accessed in one multi mode instrument for a powerful combination program. Fuse this with built in sound effects including a transient shaper, tuning, EQ, compression, delay, reverb and more, and DrumSynth is poised to supercharge the MPC workflow and elevate your creative process even higher.

Specifications

• 16 RGB-backlit velocity/pressure-sensitive pads 
• 8 banks accessible via Pad Bank buttons
• 360° touch-sensitive Q-Link Knobs
• Q-Link Knob columns accessible via Q-Link button
• 360° encoder for display navigation and selection via push 
• 27 dedicated function buttons; red, amber, or green backlit
• Full-colour 6.9" LED-backlit display with touch interface
• Processor: Quad-core ARM processor
• RAM: 2GB
• Storage: 16GB, expandable via SATA connections

Connections

• 2 x 1/4” (6.35mm) TRS inputs (1 stereo pair)
• 6 x 1/4” (6.35mm) TRS outputs (3 stereo pairs)
• 1 x 1/4” (6.35mm) stereo headphone output
• 2 x RCA inputs (1 stereo pair)
• 2 x 5-pin MIDI inputs
• 2 x 5-pin MIDI outputs
• 4 x Stereo CV/Gate outputs
• 1 x Ethernet link port
• 2 x USB Type-A ports
• 1 x USB Type-B port
• 1 x SD card slot
• 1 x power adapter input

Power

• Power adapter: 19 V, 3.42 A, centre-positive, included
• Battery: lithium-ion, rechargeable, up to 5 hours of battery life

Dimensions & weight

• Width x depth x height: 16.2” x 9.6” x 1.8” / 411.5 x 243.8 x 45.7mm
• Weight: 7.45 lb