Akai Pro intros MPC for Synth Players, The MPC Key 37
Akai Pro’s MPC Key 37 is a standalone synth and sampling keyboard that promises to blend portability with power.
Today, AKAI Pro introduced a new MPC for synth players, the MPC Key 37.
The MPC Key 37 packs a lot of power into a compact and – at $899 – relatively affordable instrument. It features 37 full-size synth-action keys, 16 RGB MPC pads, 32GB of internal storage, support for the MPC Stems and more. It’s designed to be a portable and powerful MPC for synthesist, electronic musicians and producers.
The keys support aftertouch, and there are dedicated pitchbend and modulation wheels. Further control comes via the four assignable Q-Link knobs.
This being an MPC, you get a bank of velocity-sensitive pads, as well. These sit alongside a 7-inch touchscreen that enables you to navigate the now well-established MPC standalone workflow, which includes both sampling and sequencing.
MPC Keys 37 contains more than 8GB of sounds and sample content, and new owners also get a voucher for one additional plugin from the available range. This includes classic synth and other keyboard emulations and the Flex Beat plugin, and you can also bolster your content selection via MPC Expansion packs. There’s a direct link to Splice over Wi-Fi, too, and support for the MPC Stems music separation feature is on the way.
Effects are also included, and MPC Key 37 ships with the MPC2 desktop software so that you can continue to work on projects on your computer, adding more tracks and using VST/AU plugins.
In terms of hardware specs, MPC Key 37 offers a quad-core ARM processor, 2GB RAM and 32GB of storage, 16GB of which is available as user storage. There’s audio and MIDI I/O, CV/Gate connectivity and an SD card slot. The MPC Key 37 is available now for $899
Features:
- Standalone MPC
- 37 key synth-action keybed w/ Aftertouch / Pitchbend and Modulation Wheel
- 16 Velocity and pressure-sensitive pads, RGB-backlit
- 8 Banks accessible via 4 Pad Bank buttons
- 4 360° touch-sensitive Q-Link knobs for parameter adjustment
- 1 Data encoder for value adjustment and selection via push buttons
- 38 Dedicated-function buttons
- Full-color LED-backlit display with touch interface
- Processor: Quad-core ARM® processor
- RAM: 2 GB
- Storage: 32 GB (over 22 GB available for user storage)
- Connections
- (2) 1/4” (6.35 mm) TRS Inputs (1 stereo pair)
- (2) 1/4” (6.35 mm) TRS Outputs (1 stereo pair)
- 1/4” (3.5 mm) stereo headphone Output
- 1/4” Sustain Input
- 1/4” Expression Input
- 1/4” FS2 Input
- (1) 5-pin MIDI Input
- (1) 5-pin MIDI Output
- (4) 4 TRS CV/Gate Jacks, 8 Outputs Total
- USB Type-A port
- USB Type-B port
- SD Card slot
- Power Adapter Input
