Akai MPC Studio

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kai’s MPC Studio

joins the MPC

range, which

comprises the

MPC One, MPC

Live, and MPC X.

The Studio is a

USB MIDI device that connects to a

computer and controls the included

MPC 2 DAW software – the other

MPCs can also do this, but also

function as fully standalone

sequencing/sampling devices.

Consequently the Studio is more

compact and more affordable than its

buttons, a small LCD display, and a

larger data dial. At the back you’ll

ﬁnd a USB port (purposely designed

to be harder to disconnect for mid-gig

safety), and 3.5mm MIDI in and out.

It’s powered by USB, so there’s no

need for a mains adapter. Once the

device is registered, a variety of

downloads are available, most

important being the MPC 2 software.

It’s obvious that the MPCs are no

longer simple beat machines – the

MPC Software is a fully-blown DAW,

with audio and MIDI recording,

sample-based instruments aka

keygroups, time stretching, and

Ableton Link. Plugin instruments,

including Hype, Bassline, Electric,

Hybrid, Tube Synth, Solina,

Mellotron, and WayOutWare Odyssey,

reach beyond what you might expect

for a machine that still has the aura

of hip-hop around it. Having used the

Akai Force and MPC Live, we’re quite

familiar with these instruments, and

can vouch for their usability. Audio

effects include offerings from Akai

and AIR, including reverbs, delays,

ﬁlters, EQs, compressors, and so on.

The latest version of MPC 2 includes

FX Racks – where up to four effects

can be saved and recalled together

– and vocally-oriented AIR FX

including Vocal Doubler, Vocal

Harmonizer, and Vocal Tuner. MPC 2

will host AU and VST plugins,

although this can be turned on its

head, as MPC 2 will itself function as

a plugin inside other DAWs, creating

fascinating possibilities for complex

setups. A DAW within a DAW, who

wouldn’t want to try that? (See also

Reason 11). The Studio hardware still

works when MPC is acting as a

plugin, by the way.

In pure hardware terms, the MPC

Studio makes a ﬁne controller, at a

sensible size. It’s compact and

spacious enough to swing those

pad-hittin’ ﬁngers. Let’s begin by

observing that there’s something

strangely satisfying about hardware

transport controls. And the pads?

Sure, they’re proper MPC pads.

Playing beats on them is ﬁne as-is,

and they’re pressure and velocity

sensitive, though you might need

some adjustment for playing more

delicate instrument parts – there are

options for setting pad sensitivity

which will deal with this. With the

right tweaks for personal style, these

will handle anything from ﬁnger

drumming to piano performances.

There are no knobs to tweak, but the

assignable touch strip comes into

siblings, giving potential users a

choice that reﬂects their budgets and

preferred working habits. It replaces a

previous MPC Studio model, now

discontinued, which had a more

square-shaped layout, so don’t get the

two mixed up – this one is technically

the MPC Studio II.

The box includes the Studio, a

USB cable, and two 3.5mm-DIN

MIDI cable adaptors. The top panel

bears the 16 familiar MPC pads,

sturdy rubberised pieces with

coloured LED rings around each one,

a vertical control strip, an array of

THE PROS & CONS

The trademark pads

are always fun to

play, and with a

controller it’s even

more rewarding

MPC software has

matured to become

an effective DAW in

its own right

Good price for a

bundle that includes

the controller and

full MPC software

The hybrid hardware/

software approach

isn’t for everybody

Akai MPC Studio | Reviews

FMU378.rev_akai.indd 77FMU378.rev_akai.indd 77 29/11/2021 17:1629/11/2021 17:16