WNAMM08: Create Beats On The Go

Akai tell us that the XR20 is a portable beat production station loaded with a sound set that is geared towards making Hip-Hop and R&B beats wherever and whenever inspiration strikes.

More than 700 pre-loaded sounds cover a range of drums, percussion, effects and instrument samples, while an integrated effects engine includes Reverb, EQ and Compression, enabling musicians to make complete backing tracks. A microphone input is included for mixing vocals over patterns. Bright, backlit pads provide visual cues for added beat precision.

The XR20 features sounds of standard and electronic drums, single (one-shot) hits, bass and synth sounds to, say Akai, easily create the maximum mix in minimal time.

Key features of the XR20 include:

• More than 700 sounds produced by Chronic Music
• Ninety-nine Preset Patterns and 99 User Patterns.
• Backlit LCD
• Bright, glowing, backlit pads that follow the beat
• Microphone input and Headphone output
• Pattern Play Mode _ different patterns can be triggered from individual pads
• Drum Roll/Note Repeat feature
• Battery Power capability and AC Adapter

Pricing and Availability:
The Akai XR20 is coming Q2 with an MSRP of $499.

More information:

• www.akaipro.com

  More From: AKAI

  
  • WNAMM13: Akai Releases Slimline MPC 24-Jan-13
  • WNAMM13: Akai MPC Headphones 23-Jan-13
  • WNAMM13: New Akai Keyboard And Sample Launcher 23-Jan-13
  • Turn Your iPad Into An MPC 14-Dec-12
  • SonicLAB Review: Akai MAX 49 Controller With CV/Gate 06-Dec-12
  
  Even more news...
  
  
  • Comments
  • Facebook Comments  

  6 Comments...  Post a comment    original story

  ---

  frank    Said...

  I don't get it. For that price you can buy a laptop...

  Even a nintendo ds with homebrew software can do that. And with a whole lot nicer display.

  21-Jan-08 06:09 AM

  ---

  glxblt    Said...

  I think it seems nice. And you won't get much of a laptop with 500 dollars.

  ..and Nintendo DS's touch screen really doesn't match the mpc pads. :)

  21-Jan-08 08:14 AM

  ---

  Frank    Said...

  Seems a bit silly that they'd create an entirely new product like this. Why not just dump the soundset into the MPC500 and replace the tiny screen with this new, bigger one? Surely that'd be smarter (and cheaper) than building a separate model that seems to serve the same purpose.

  21-Jan-08 10:06 AM

  ---

  Zakkariah    Said...

  meh, looks like crap. once the sounds become dated your stuck, unless you can re flash the ROM via usb or midi, with a soundset of your choice. :)

  21-Jan-08 07:45 PM

  ---

  Gabe    Said...

  Man the Akai XR 20 was weak!!! The sounds are already dated and tired!!!! I played with it at namm and was shocked with how bad it sucked!! The sequencer was even bad!

  29-Jan-08 08:07 PM

  ---

  Rashad    Said...

  I played it at NAMM in Anaheim, Ca and it sounds tight! If I can get that sound set in the 5000 I'll just get a 5000. But it was a cool machine to play with to be so little and have such phat sounds.

  02-Feb-08 12:59 AM

  ---

  Post a comment