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Host Ziv Eliraz – in his latest loopop video – shares an in-depth review of the new Akai Pro MPC Sample portable Music Production Center.

Eliraz offers an overview of the MPC Sample’s capabilities, demonstrates the workstation’s workflow and shares a variety of audio demos.

Topics covered:

0:00 Intro

1:35 Overview

4:50 Workflow

8:40 Build & I/O

10:25 Sampling

11:50 Looping samples

12:05 Playback params

12:40 Warp & stretch

15:30 Pad filters

16:40 Note On

17:30 Phasing loops

18:00 Input config

18:50 Sequencing

19:10 Note repeat

19:55 Live rec

20:20 Undo tip

20:40 Seq recall

21:05 Time correct

21:25 Automation

22:20 Step edit

24:10 Half/Double

24:40 Pad FX

26:20 Flex Beat

27:10 Compressor

27:40 Knob FX

29:25 Resampling

30:20 Audio recall

31:30 Song mode

32:10 MIDI

32:55 MPC compatibility

35:10 Loopop’s Autosampler

41:00 Pros & cons

44:00 Take 5

44:50 Jam 2

Watch the review and share your thoughts on the MPC Sample in the comments!

 

 

 

 

Today, Akai Professional has introduced the MPC Sample – their most portable standalone Music Product Center ever.

With 16 velocity-sensitive MPC pads, a classic MPC sequencer, Instant Sample Chop Mode, real-time Time-Stretch and RePitch, three assignable control knobs, an old-school MPC fader, and four onboard FX engines, the MPC Sample is less a ‘stripped down’ MPC than a ‘scaled down’ one.

Features:

• Built-in Speaker
• USB-C powered with internal rechargeable lithium-ion battery (5 hours)
• Instant Sample Chop Mode
• Internal microphone
• 4 internal effects processors with dedicated knob control
• SD Card Mac/PC File Transfer via USB-C
• Real-Time Timestretch/RePitch
• 16 RGB backlit MPC pads with poly aftertouch
• Onboard sequencer
• Internal Resampling with FX
• 60 onboard effect types
• 3 real-time control/effects knobs
• microSD card storage for user samples
• Legacy MPC parameter slider
• Headphones – 1/8″ TRS
• New master compressor with retro color
• Record Gain knob
• MIDI In/Out (will require 1/8″ to MIDI?DIN adapter which is not included with product)
• USB-C Audio/Midi Connectivity
• Comprehensive rear I/O:
• Stereo In/Out – 1/4″ TRS line-level
• Internal disk-streaming sample engine (fast sample playback)
• Sync Out

Here’s an intro with West Coast beatmaker & producer Dibia$e:

Getting Started with the MPC Sample – Navigation and Sounds:

Getting Started with MPC Sample – Making a Hip Hop Beat:

Getting Started with MPC Sample – Making a House Track:

Getting Started with MPC Sample – Sampling From Vinyl:

The Akai Pro MPC Sample is available now for $399 USD.

 

Ambient Engine is an application for macOS that’s designed for creating generative music and soundscapes using samples.

You can load your samples, adjust playback range and density, add organic movement through modulation, and record the results in real time.

The developers say that Ambient Engine is designed for the following applications:

• Background music for videos
• Games and interactive projects
• Meditation music, spatial sound design, and exhibitions
• Generator for live performance
• Sound texture creation for music production

Features:

• Multi-voice sample engine
  • Up to 7 voices playing simultaneously
  • Slice range control
  • Timer-based control of playback position, density, and trigger timing
  • Import WAV / AIFF / MP3 / M4A files
• Randomization
  • Playback range control
  • Sample selection
  • Pan
  • Pitch
• Modulation (4 units)
  • Modulate Density / Pitch / Filter / Effects
  • Independent control of waveform, rate, and depth
• Effects: MicroLoop / Delay / Reverb
  • Granular textures via short-time looping
  • Built-in delay and reverb
  • Master volume and spectrum display
• Built-in recording
  • Routing to DAWs via virtual audio devices such as BlackHole
  • Real-time recording
• Export formats:
  • WAV / AIFF (16-bit, sample rate follows your audio interface)
  • M4A (192 kbps)
• Additional Features
  • UI theme switching
  • Hideable control panels

Ambient Engine is available now for $99 USD.