Akai Professional has combined their legendary MPC platform with a keyboard workstation for the first time! The new MPC Key 61 is one of the most feature-packed standalone production tools ever produced. Akai's MPC changed music forever in the late '80s once pop and hip-hop luminaries got their hands on it, and this MPC Key 61 features refined versions of MPC tools with additional pressure-sensitive velocity pads, pad memory, 63 function buttons, and much more. Use the MPC Key 61 as a standalone workstation; a controller/input for DAWs, MIDI devices, or hardware synths; as a sampler; and almost anything else. The onboard LED display features a spacious 8.5-inch x 5.5-inch touchscreen that can be set flat or upright to suit your playing, and the MPC’s 16GB flash storage comes loaded with 10GB of pre-installed content ready for use right out of the box. Plus, it’s easy to expand the MPC’s storage thanks to a built-in drive bay for solid-state or hard disk drives, a feature that Music Experience MPC enthusiasts are excited to embrace. Legions of devotees are lining up to snag this piece of MPC innovation — order yours today.

Akai Professional MPC Key 61 Production Synthesizer at a Glance:

• Expressive Keybed with aftertouch
• Vibrant 7” Color Touch Screen with Multi Touch & Gestures
• Sounds Button for Fast Browsing
• 25 Cutting-edge Instrument Plugins
• Powerful 128 Track Midi Sequencer
• Assignable Touch Strip Controller
• 16 RGB Velocity-Sensitive MPC Drum Pads with Note Repeat
• 2 Mic/Line Inputs with high-end preamps
• Audio Interface with high-quality AD/DA converters
• Accepts Class Compliant Audio Interfaces and MIDI devices
• Onboard Wi-Fi/Bluetooth
• 4 Assignable Q Link Controller knobs
• 4GB Ram / Quad Core ARM Processor / 32 GB Internal Storage
• Pitch Bend/Modulation Wheels
• Dedicated Transport Section
• 4 Discrete Line Outputs
• 8 Audio Tracks
• 8 CV/Gate Output Jacks for modular integration

Endless ways to sample and create

Together, MPC software and keyboard workstation tools are a force to be reckoned with. There are endless ways to apply the MPC Key 61. You can use it as a sampler, as a controller for analog synths, as a MIDI controller in a DAW, or simply as a standalone production studio using onboard sounds, instruments, and software plug-ins. The device has a plethora of I/O options: turntable inputs for vinyl samples, two MIDI ins, four MIDI outs, two USB-A slots, eight CV/Gate outputs for connecting modular analog gear, XLR, TRS, and much more. Plus, the MPC Key 61 supports Ableton Link over Wi-Fi so you can wirelessly connect with and use Ableton Link supported apps.

Tailor-made for production with dedicated OS and RAM

With so many features onboard, the Akai MPC Key 61 ensures lightning-fast performance via onboard RAM and a dedicated operating system powering its tools. In short, it’s a standalone computer built for music production — no PC, extra software, or purchases necessary. And while it's a fiercely independent device, the MPC Key 61 also plays well with others with endless ways to connect analog and digital devices.

Modular storage with limitless sample size

The MPC Key 61’s 16GB flash storage comes preloaded with roughly 10GB of classic Akai content. Expanding the onboard storage with your samples, sequences, and more is easy by using the two USB 3.0 slots for thumb drives or a built-in slot for adding a dedicated solid-state or hard disk drive. Such features make the MPC Key 61 practically future proof with plenty of ways to ensure storage never runs low. What's more, the MPC Key 61 places no limit on sample sizes — the only thing that will ever restrain your sample size is available storage space, which means more room for experimentation and high-quality audio.

Generous track allotments

The MPC Key 61’s sky-high track count gives creators incredible room for self-expression. Hardware sequences can contain up to eight audio tracks, while a sequence in the MPC software can contain 128 audio tracks. Up to 128 MIDI/drum/VST tracks at 16-, 24-, or 32-bit resolutions up to 96kHz are possible as well. And that’s far from this device’s limit. There’s additional support for up to eight stereo tracks and another 128 MIDI/drum/VST tracks from external hardware. Subtle features like these are just one peek at what’s made the MPC essential hardware for producers, beat creators, and artists of all kinds for decades.

The MPC legacy.

Picture this: the year is 2007. A 60 Minutes camera zooms in on Kanye West as he taps out a simple beat on an Akai MPC. Interviewer Bob Simon remarks, “I don’t think anyone would believe you’re doing that all from this one rhythm machine.” And yet, it was true. Indeed, the MPC platform’s tools built some of the most memorable hip-hop tracks of all time, a big reason why it continues to be a popular choice for both beginners and professionals. Now, the Key 61 version builds on that MPC’s legacy with an array of features not found on previous models.

What Akai Says...

Introducing the Akai Professional MPC Key 61, the revolutionary new standalone production synthesizer keyboard powering the next chapter of the MPC legacy. Building on the history of powerful sequencing and revolutionary sampling, MPC Key 61 adds the most advanced next-generation virtual instruments and effects to MPC, adding to its arsenal of industry-leading music production tools. And now, with the addition of a 61-key semi-weighted keybed with aftertouch, the MPC experience ascends to an unprecedented level of creative interaction and expression, delivering the world’s most powerful and complete standalone workflow!

Breaking Sound Barriers

Inside MPC Key 61, experience a new dimension of sound like never before. Powered by 25 plugin instrument engines at your fingertips, and with over 6000 cutting-edge presets, MPC Key 61 delivers the most modern-day sound pallet ever programmed in a production synthesizer. Each plugin instrument features advanced synthesis, deep parameter editing, and modern effects developed for a truly inspiring musical experience—all designed with a fast and vibrant touch interface for an intuitive and compelling workflow. Immerse yourself in a world of sound.

Keys To Expression

The MPC Key 61 features an incredibly expressive and playable semi-weighted keybed with aftertouch to drive its world-class sounds with dynamic responsive control. With players and producers in mind, technology and artisanship were combined to breathe inspiration into every performance. The MPC Key 61’s keybed is designed to deliver the highest performance experience possible connecting the dots between sound and feel.

Plugin To A World Of Effects

MPC Key 61 includes over 100 state-of-the-art effects ready to load across your music productions for mixing and mastering. Insert lush and spacious Reverb & Delay effects to your tracks, add bounce and punch to your drums and mix using modern or vintage style compressors and limiters. Experience plugin FX like never before only inside MPC Key 61.

Perfect Tune & Harmony

MPC Key 61 is the world's first production synthesizer incorporating modern day vocal FX plugins which can also be used for the most creative sound design. Fully record and mix the perfect vocals directly inside MPC Key 61’s standalone environment with 2 onboard high-end preamps. From modern-day vocal tuning FX, to doubling, to adding 4-part harmonies to your vocals—the AIR Vocal Suite delivers.

Touch Strip For Hands-on Control

The onboard assignable Touch Strip Controller is a catalyst for new ways to control, create and interact with your own signature sounds. Bend, warp and manipulate sounds in real-time in ways no other synthesizer can. Touch capacitive assignable real-time Q-Link controls also allow for endless artistic ingenuity opening worlds of new creative energy for production and performance.

Dynamic Expression

Dedicated Pitch Bend and Modulation Wheels mean an added touch of expression to elevate your compositions. Bend the notes of your synth and lead sounds in Fabric XL, add gentle vibrato to your stringed instruments in Session Strings, or dial in the speed of the Organ’s rotary Leslie cabinet and hear your parts swell with a wide chorused tremolo. The Mod and Pitch wheels bring depth and dimension to any MPC Key 61 keyboard part.

Ultimate Sequencing Workflow

The MPC sequencing workflow is simply unmatched. With 128 tracks of internal and external MIDI, Keygroup Instruments, Clip Launching and 8 plugin instruments and audio tracks, MPC standalone has the power to capture any musical production.

30 Years Of Legendary Sampling

From over 30 years of genre-defining sampling technology, MPC Key 61 brings the Full MPC sampling experience only Akai Professional can deliver. MPC Key 61 is the world's first true “sampling production synthesizer” with unparalleled MPC sampling features.

The Ultimate Feel And Groove

The 16-velocity sensitive RGB pads on MPC Key 61 are the same award-winning pads as the MPC One. In addition to the iconic MPC pads are the renowned Time Correct, Swing, and Quantize features of MPC that continue to endure as mainstays of modern music production.

Surround Your Creativity

MPC Key 61 will connect your entire creative studio and workflow together. Connect up-to 32 MIDI devices via USB with MIDI Multi, expand your Audio I/O to 32 inputs and outputs using Class Compliant audio interfaces, or connect your vintage synths using MIDI In/Out/Thru. 8 CV/Gate jacks allow connections to a wide variety of modular gear and more. Onboard WI-FI/Bluetooth allows for wireless synchronization with Ableton Link and MPC OS Updates, and an additional SATA storage bay allows for volumes of expandable sounds and tracks.

Standalone Vocal Production And Recording

The MPC Key 61 has an onboard 24-bit Audio Interface with high-end preamps and AD/DA converters. Individual gain knobs control the input of the combo XLR/TRS ¼" inputs with phantom power for driving condenser microphones. 2 main outputs, 2 sub outputs and an additional headphone output further allow for expansive connections. Capture pristine vocal tracks and process them with the onboard AIR Vocal Suite, or record guitars, bass, or any instrument for the ultimate in recording and sampling capabilities.

DAW Integration With MPC2 Software

The bundled MPC2 Desktop DAW for Mac and PC supercharges the MPC experience with expanded track counts and support for 3rd party AU/VST plugins. MPC2 is the optimum platform for unrestricted creative versatility, delivering unprecedented surgical control and integration with the MPC Key 61 system. Run it as a DAW or as a VST/AU plugin in 3rd party DAWs like FL Studio, Logic, Ableton, Pro Tools, Studio One and more.

Standalone Power At Your Fingertips

The powerful features integrated inside MPC Key 61 were engineered for a seamless standalone creative workflow. Powered by 4GB of Ram, MPC 2.11 Operating System, 32 GB internal storage, a world-class 16GB onboard Factory Library, comprehensive I/O Connectivity, and a dedicated SATA bay for SSD Expansion, the MPC Key 61 comes packed with everything needed for modern music production.