WNAMM04: Akai's Newest MPC Ships

For those of you not aware of Akai’s little bundle of joy, the MPC1000 is small and perfectly formed (and not much bigger than a laptop), inheriting many of the major features of its older, bigger siblings but in a compact form factor that makes it ideal for carrying around… to your friends, to a gig, to a session… wherever. And it’s a creditable alternative to complex computer based systems. As part of its lineage, the MPC1000 features the sixteen characteristic velocity and pressure sensitive pads that have been an established (and essential) component of the MPC series since its inception – arguably, they are the best pads on any drum machine past or present! Also retained is the MPC's legendary 'feel' and 'groove' so that you can be sure that your beats and sequences just swing. It also features the original MPC60’s intuitive transport and locate controls, the unique NOTE REPEAT function plus new additions such as the two Q-Link sliders that allow real-time interaction with tuning, filter cutoff, layer switching, attack and decay Add to these a well established, friendly and intuitive user interface, two separate multi-effects processors (plus a master output effects processor!), two resonant multi-mode filters, 4-way sample layering and velocity switching per pad, two MIDI ins and 32 MIDI channels via the two MIDI outputs, multiple audio outputs (standard), footswitch inputs for ‘hands-free’ control and you have most of what you’d expect to find in a rugged, dependable solution to computer sequencer headaches. Behind the stunning ‘retro’ cosmetic styling that pays homage to a halcyon era of dedicated drum machines, the new MPC1000 is a thoroughly modern sampling drum machine and 64-track MIDI sequencer that is more than equipped with features, functions and facilities to let you explore new musical ideas without restriction. MPC-1000 retails for $999 and as you now know, is shipping.