At the 2014 NAMM Show, at the NAMM Media Preview event, Akai showed its MPC Element, the latest in the company’s music production controller series.
MPC Element Features Include:
- MPC beat and song creation capability fused with the power of your computer
- 16 back-lit, multicolor pads with pressure and velocity sensitivity
- MPC Note Repeat, Full Level, 16 Level, and Tap Tempo
- Includes MPC Essentials software* (download), 1GB sound library, up to 8 pad banks
- Slim low-profile design with integrated cover to protect control surface
- USB-powered: no power adapter required, USB cable included
- Compact design: just 14mm thick; fits easily into a laptop bag
- Brushed aluminum control surface with bright back-lit buttons
- Standard MIDI for use with most popular software
- 1/8-inch (3.5mm) MIDI input, 1/8-inch MIDI output, cables included
- Also works with the iMPC app and other Core MIDI apps for creating music on an iPad or iPhone (requires Apple Camera Connection Kit)
MPC Essentials Software Features:
- 32- and 64-bit music production capability
- Works standalone, no DAW required, with MPC Element for seamless music creation
- Works with your current music software (DAW) as a VST, RTAS, or AU plugin
- Run virtually unlimited instances in your DAW simultaneously
- 1GB sound library with all the essential sounds of modern music production
- Import your WAV and AIFF sound samples and assign them to any pad
- Up to 8 pad banks (assign up to 128 pads), 4 samples and 4 insert effects per pad
- Hosts VST plugins and automatically maps controls
- Export to WAV and AIFF
Pricing and Availability
The Akai MPC Element retails for a street price of about $150. For additional information, check out the product page on the Akai website.
