General
The Akai MPC Series has already earned legendary status. The sound and workflow encased in an iconic shell lined with 16 drum pads and comprehensive sequencer firmly nailed Akai to the electronic-music family tree. The MPC One only serves to confirm that Akai are fully and undeniably able to rework that highly influential winning-formula and bring it bang up-to-date.
The Akai MPC One: The Past Meets the Future in One Little Box
While it works quite happily with other hardware or software, the MPC one is essentially a fully independent, standalone machine. Akai have filled it with the same multi-core processor as that found in the MPC X while a generous and familiar 7-inch touch screen mirrors the one fitted to the face of the MPC Touch. This screen grants direct access to step-editing, sample shaping and the dynamic manipulation of effects that no computer-mouse could ever be capable of.
Sounds and Effects
'Splice Sounds' gives any MPC user admittance into a library of five million high-quality, royalty-free samples while original user samples can be directly recorded and saved to the internal RAM or loaded in via SD card or USB. Three powerful synths are also put at your disposal: Electric, Tubesynth and Bassline. Air FX is included for mixing and mastering, only proving that this really is a fully standalone console. Since Akai is keeping things as compact as possible, even the drum pads are a touch smaller than those of past MPCs; a small price to pay for a box of magic that also performs space-saving tricks.
An Independent Networker
Just to prove how friendly a networker the independent MPC One is, it comes loaded with no less than eight CV/Gate outputs for problem-free connection to any modular synths. This is a genius addition from Akai since the developments in the modular scene have recently become particularly interesting. Any other hardware is, of course, fully accommodated by a MIDI input and output.
Ableton Integration
Did we mention that other giant of electronic music? Ableton Live? No? Well, it might be worth mentioning that the MPC One now comes with a level of Ableton integration comparable to their very own Push controller. This is an incredible feat when you consider the generous price tag on this console; keeping it pretty close to the same price range as the Push 2. While you will be paying a little bit more for the MPC One, what you get in return is, as you've already read, more than just something extra. Besides Ableton, this machine can also be combined with any other DAW which, along with the feel of the control pots and pads, the finish and focus and everything you get in one box, takes this unit to an entirely new level.
