AKAI Wants you on an MPC NOW… MPC ONE announced!

AKAI PROFESSIONAL® INTRODUCES MPC ONE, A POWERFUL, COMPACT ADDITION TO THE LEGENDARY MPC LINEUP

New MPC One features Akai Professional’s premier multi-core processor and delivers the ultimate in standalone performance to a new generation of beatmakers.

Fort Lauderdale, FL USA (January 15, 2020) — Akai Professional, a leading manufacturer of music equipment for performers and producers, today announced the newest addition to its industry-leading family of music production centers, the powerful standalone MPC One.

MPC One offers a world-class creative producer experience, powered by the most powerful processor found in any standalone production device. Controlled by a 7-inch multi-touch interface and an intuitive touch-key layout, it creates the best MPC experience for all producers and music makers, in a compact form factor. Because of its remarkably comprehensive feature set and small footprint, this is the perfect companion for everyone’s studio. With its unprecedented combination of sheer production power, compact size and incredible price point, the MPC One establishes an unmatched standard for capability and value.

Included as standard are network connectivity, Splice integration and CV/Gate connectors, so producers can effortlessly access the sounds they need. MPC One comes loaded with 2GB of new drum sample & loop collections, curated specifically for this new hardware, delivering a library full of hard-hitting, dynamic drum sounds, sure to impress the most demanding creators.

The MPC One features the signature synth engines Electric, Tubesynth and Bassline as well as the world-class AIR FX for mixing & mastering. With MPC One, artists have everything they need to deliver impressive, professional productions and streaming-ready records.

MPC One Hardware Features:

  • Brilliant 7-inch multi-touch display
  • 16 velocity-sensitive RGB pads
  • 2GB RAM, 4GB onboard storage
  • MIDI In/Out
  • 4 TRS CV/Gate Jacks, 8 Outputs Total
  • USB Flash & SD Card storage Additionally, MPC One incorporates control surface workflow for PC & Mac and includes a full version of MPC2 Desktop Software. Dan Gill, Senior Product Manager for Akai Professional said, “We broke new ground with the MPC X and MPC Live, the most powerful standalone music production devices ever. We’re proud to say we’ve been able to deliver that exact same power in an efficient form factor that will

be at home in any music production studio suite. This is a truly remarkable day for music creatives everywhere.”

MPC One will be available in February 2020 and will ship with a retail price of $699. For more information on MPC One, visit akaipro.com.

My Zaor Miza Jr bedroom set up

The Idea is simple… create a small bedroom set up to be able to create music, work on sample pack layouts, and have FUN with synths and samples WITHOUT my computer. I think with this set up I am off to a great start.

Everything sits atop the Zaor Studio Furniture Miza Jr desk. this helps keep the cables out of sight and the look matches the original 1960’s wall print in our bedroom. the Miza features a nice pull out tray designed for 61 key controllers and slim synths. here I have the jdxa on it which is admittedly a bit deep but, hey I just got it and wanted to feel it out. I will likely swap the Jdxa for the Deepmind 12 in the coming weeks. https://zaorstudiofurniture.com/index.php?page=miza

for monitoring I am using the Ik Multimedia iLoud micro monitors… whats great about these is that not only are they a sleek white that goes great with the wall, but they sound quite nice without being bulky or overbearing in the room. For added convenience they have bluetooth and the bluetooth MIXES with the incoming audio. so if you pair your phone to them you can still use them as monitors and a playback device. really nice!

The Arturia Minibrute 2s plus Rackbrute combo is allowing me to have a mini version of my larger modular rig for sample fodder. currently I am using the ReBach Catch vco-AB and VCF-AB along with the D-Env and TraniModule for the bulk of sound creation to add depth to the minibrute 2s sound engine. the onboard sequencer of the 2s is really quite powerful and allows me to get 3 melodic lanes of sequencing at once.

The main sequencer and overall scratch pad is the MPC live. This is a nice compact way to sample in my synth sources without having to rely on a laptop computer. Built in features like through put monitoring allow me to run all my gear through the mpc and jam in realtime. I then use the looper function to catch my sources in real time. often I like to work without midi to keep a loose human feel on the productions.

In the coming weeks I expect this set up to evolve with gear coming in and out of this set up but the goal will be for it to remain small and clean. pretty far opposite of my main studio set up.

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Who is making the SP-2400 and is it real? It’s not who you thought exclusive pictures!

What if I told you the SP 2400 is real… its not Behringer and Its NOT E-MU/Rossum. It is going to be built as a proper spiritual successor to the classic sampler many of us have grown to love so dearly. This is no clone, this is something more…

Obviously it’s a render, but it’s coming

Recently I came across a post showing what appears to be a circuit board for a “sp-2400” this name has long been tossed about in forums and back Alley dives as to what the successor to the famed sp-1200 could be. Over the years there have been many rumors, requests and out right denials from those involved in the classic sampler.

Oh hello , nice to meet you SP 2400

So what is speculation and what is fact?

FACTS…..24bit AND 12 bit, Aluminum construction, Classic sound with the Classic workflow. Filters per output, ability to sample with filter input or direct to dac. Features both usb host and client, Each pad will play cowbells (if you sample a cowbell to it) its not behringer… it is real, and it IS COMING SOON

How do I know all of this? well I was given the info directly from the manufacturer. I have basically been given a slow stream of info… I myself still do not know the release date, the price point, what info is on the screen and how the screen functions… I will give info as I can.

I can tell you… I have heard it (audio comparisons sent to me of an early build)… it sounds fantastic. It is going to make many of us very happy… and the corksniffers… so mad. I will be dropping random tid bits about this as they fall out the back of the secret laboratory this is being built in.

Akai releases mpc 2.3 with synths and more


AKAI PROFESSIONAL EXPANDS POWER AND VERSATILITY OF MPC PLATFORM WITH RELEASE OF MPC 2.3 UPDATE
New software update enables MPC X, MPC Live and MPC Software 2 users to take advantage of three great new built-in synthesizers–TubeSynth, Bassline and Electric–and other upgrades.
Cumberland, RI USA (November 15, 2018) — Akai Professional today announced the release of MPC Software 2.3. This major software and firmware update introduces a number of user requested features and functionality enhancements, notably the addition of three powerful, versatile, and expressive built-in synthesizers by AIR Music Technology (TubeSynth, Bassline and Electric) to the MPC standalone experience. This is a landmark feature addition which elevates the MPC from a sampler to a true musical powerhouse. Also very significant is the addition of Autosampler and Arpeggiator. As a result, this update is highly recommended for all current MPC X, MPC Live and MPC Software 2 owners.

TubeSynth:
The TubeSynth emulates the sound of classic vintage analog poly-synths packaged with five integrated AIR effects. The instrument is created by AIR and is based on the same advanced analog modelling technology found in their highly acclaimed desktop plugin synth Vacuum Pro. The layout has been carefully designed for easy tweak-ability via the MPC Q-Links. The TubeSynth comes packaged with a comprehensive factory library of cutting-edge presets including sumptuous pads, hard hitting plucks, thunderous basses and screaming lead sounds.
• Flexible 3 Oscillator architecture features noise, saw, square, pulse and triangle waveforms.
• Two different unison engines offer extended possibilities for thickening the timbre of any patch.
• Users can customize the harmonic content of Oscillator 2 using the voice level EQ and Drive parameters.
• Lowpass Filter with continuously variable slope with pre and post distortion.
• Polyphonic Glide/Portamento for polyphonic pitch slides between chords.
• Envelopes included for Filter, Amp with a third specialist ramp envelope that can be assigned to different modulation destinations.
• Two LFO’s have Sine, Square, Saw Up, Saw Down, Pump, Sample and Hold and Drift waveforms.
• Explore a wide range of timbral possibilities with the Oscillator’s Ring Modulation parameter.
• AIR Chorus, Delay, Reverb, Compressor and Hype EQ.
• Almost 300 patches provide a wide selection of Synth, Lead, Pluck, Pad, Bass, Organ, FX presets.
• Oscillator 1 and 2 Env Shape parameter allows users to modulate the shape of each oscillator with the Filter Envelope

Bassline
The AIR Bassline emulates the sound of classic mono synths with a contemporary twist. Including four integrated AIR effects as well as two built-in distortion algorithms.
• Flexible oscillator with continuously variable waveshape including octave saw, saw, square and sine waveforms
• Sub and fifth oscillators for thicker layered timbres.
• Low-pass and high-pass filters.
• Over 150 presets.
Electric
The AIR Electric emulates the sound of classic electric pianos.
• Dedicated Pickup, Envelope, Bell and Noise parameter sections provide a huge amount of flexibility to configure the timbre of the electric piano sound.
• Five AIR effects Tremolo, Tube distortion, Chorus, Delay and Spring Reverb.
• Over 80 presets.

In addition to the AIR plugins. MPC 2.3 introduces many other enhancements, including:
• Autosampler – Capture and convert any plugin preset or external instrument preset into a key group sampler patch. This is great for sampling patches from synths and drum machines.
• Crossfade Looping – Realtime crossfade looping has now been added to sample playback.
• Arpeggiator – A real time arpeggiator and phrase player.
“MPC 2.3 advances the user experience in amazing new ways,” said Dan Gill, Akai Professional Product Manager. “Users will especially love the new plugins created by AIR. They definitely open up a whole new world of creative possibilities.”

This update is free for existing MPC Software 2 owners (2.0 – 2.2). MPC 2.3 is available as a new purchase for $199.99 for non-MPC product owners or as an upgrade from MPC Software 1 or MPC Essentials for $99.99.
For complete details on new features found in 2.3, visit: MPC 2.3 Release Notes.
For more information, visit akaipro.com.
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Akai introduces MPK mini play

AKAI PROFESSIONAL® ADDS BUILT-IN SOUNDS TO THE WORLD’S MOST POPULAR MIDI CONTROLLER WITH THE MPK MINI PLAY


New ultra-portable instrument is based on incredibly popular MPK Mini, but adds 128 built-in sounds and its own speaker, making it the perfect instrument to play anywhere
Cumberland, RI USA (October 11, 2018) — Akai Professional, a leading manufacturer of music equipment for performers and producers, today announced the immediate availability of their all-new MPK Min portable MIDI controller. The ultra-portable MPK Mini Play is based on the world’s most popular midi controller—Akai Professional’s MPK Mini—but now it comes packed with 128 sounds and its own built-in speaker. With 8 backlit MPC drum pads and a 4-way joystick for simple control, players have all they need to play their music anytime, anywhere. Four knobs (two banks capable of controlling eight different parameters) can be used to tweak sounds and edit multiple parameters in real-time, giving musicians even more performance possibilities. Powered by 3 “AA” batteries, the MPK Mini Play is built for hours of wireless fun.
Amazing Connections
Not just a mini keyboard, the MPK Mini Play can also connect to a computer via USB port for the same plug-and-play MIDI functionality as the classic MPK Mini controllers. If not disturbing others is a priority, players can use the mini-audio output jack to connect headphones to the MPK Mini Play. When you want a bigger sound, simply connect to external speakers using the same output jack. All-in-one, easy- to-use fun with “pro” features—that’s the MPK Mini Play!
Features/Specs
– Built-in sound module with over 128 different sounds
– 25 mini keys with arpeggiator
– 4-way joystick
– 8 red backlit drum pads (2 banks, 16 total)
– 4 knobs edit sounds or send midi (2 banks, 8 total)
– Battery powered using (3) AA batteries
“We are extremely excited to introduce the MPK Mini Play,” said Dan Gill, Product Manager for Akai Professional. “The MPK Mini was a huge hit with musicians and now having all those sounds on-board with a built-in speaker, along with its go-anywhere portability, Play opens up new musical possibilities that people are going to love.”
U.S. retail for MPK Mini Play is $129 Available for purchase October 11, 2018
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BeatMaker 3 for iPad is FREE during NAMM!

Ok so this is one of those things that you need to just jump on right now… don’t wait on this. 

BeatMaker 3 is free through out winter NAMM 2018 … yeah thats right … the $20+ app is completely free right now.

This is the full app and I have to say I have been using it for a while now, it is really deep.
If you know someone who likes to make music and has an iPad, let them know about this one. 

Pricing and Availability:
BeatMaker 3 is free to download from the App Store now until the end of NAMM.

The SynthSummitShow episode 10: Glen Darcey of Arturia

This is the full spliced together episode!
The SynthSummitShow is a live web show dedicated to synthesizers and the audio geeks that make it all happen. find out more at Fluxwithit.com

Hosted by Flux of Fluxwithi.com – Flux is a sound designer, Music technologist, consultant, and music producer.

Guest hosts today include : Corry of Bboytechreport.com – Corry is a hip hop producer and music tech blogger
Bryce aka Upright – Bryce is a hip hop producer, modular synth enthusiast and blogger.

Our Guest: Glen Darcey is VP of Product Management at Arturia. his career spans 4 decades in the music industry. Responsible for iconic products like the MPK and APC-40 controllers as well as the MiniBrute, beatstep series and much more.