Akai MPC 3.9 Adds Built-In Oscillators, Arrange Editing Tools + Time Signature Updates
AKAI Pro has released MPC 3.9, an update that adds a new oscillator engine for Drum and Keygroup tracks, expands Arrange Mode editing, introduces per-sequence and per-clip time signatures, and extends MPC Desktop with Arrange Mode beta and AU/VST3 plug-in support.
Overview:
Akai’s MPC 3.9 update is centered on three major additions: a new oscillator engine that lets Drum and Keygroup tracks use synthesis sources instead of samples, expanded Arrange Mode editing tools, and more flexible time signature handling for sequences and clips.
The release also extends MPC Desktop with a beta Arrange Mode and new AU and VST3 plug-in formats, while MPC One G2 and MPC Key 37 G2 gain expanded USB audio and USB-C host/device capabilities.
For standalone users, the key change is that MPC can now build Drum and Keygroup sounds from internal oscillator sources including analog-style waveforms, FM, ring modulation, single-cycle, and wavetable modes.
Features:
- Drum and Keygroup tracks can now use oscillators as sound sources instead of samples
- The new MPC Oscillators include Warm Sine, Digital Sine, Saw Square, Digital Saw, Pulse, Noise, FM2, RM3, Algorithmic Waveforms, Single Cycle, and Wavetable modes
- Wavetable oscillators support custom wavetable formats using mono WAV source files and JSON wavetable definitions
- Single-cycle and wavetable oscillator assets can be saved with projects and tracks for portability between MPC systems
- Oscillator parameters can be targeted from the Modulation Matrix, including wavetable position, crossfade, and start phase
- Arrange Mode on standalone now adds touch-based Cut, Copy, Paste, and Duplicate tools tied to the Loop Brace selection
- Arrange editing now includes Clear, Delete, Insert Blank Bars, and Insert Clip Row commands directly from the Loop Brace edit menu
- Clip Matrix rows can now be inserted directly into an arrangement timeline
- MPC Desktop now includes an early beta version of Arrange Mode with Loop Brace-based arrangement editing and a Single Track Grid Editor
- Time signatures can now be assigned individually to sequences and clips
- MPC Desktop now includes plug-in versions in AU and VST3 formats
- MPC One G2 and MPC Key 37 G2 now support up to 24 channels of USB audio input and output
- MPC One G2 and MPC Key 37 G2 now support USB-C host and device operation in standalone mode
- MPC Key 37 G2 adds Ableton Live Control Mode
- Drum and Keygroup tracks add Jura LP and Iona LP low-pass filter models derived from AIR Jura and AIR Iona
- Program files saved from MPC Desktop now use the MPC3 JSON-based program file format
MPC 3.9 is available now as a free firmware update.
