Akai’s New 'MPC XL' Is a Standalone Music Production Powerhouse
Designed to serve as a studio centerpiece for some – and a complete studio replacement for others.
Following on from its recently launched MPC Live III, Akai has unveiled its latest must-have studio tool – the MPC XL. Describing its new flagship as a “powerful studio centerpiece,” the brand has designed the XL to deliver pro-grade DAW-level performance in single, fully standalone format – all without the need for a computer.
At its core, the Akai MPC XL is powered by a Gen 2 8-core processor that’s paired with 16GB of RAM, offering four times the processing power of previous MPC models. It runs on the latest MPC3 OS and can handle up to 32 plugin instruments, 16 audio tracks, and 256 simultaneous voices, specs that push the device squarely into territory typically reserved for high-end computer-based setups.
On the front and center of the device is 10.1-inch HD multi-gesture touchscreen that features adjustable tilt controls. The display is bright, clear and colorful, and offers real-time visual feedback alongside one-to-one function buttons for fast, uninterrupted workflows. Sitting just below this are 16 touch-responsive Q-Link knobs, each with its own individual OLED display, as well as a dedicated step sequencer with RGB buttons, an assignable performance touch strip, and a new XL Channel Command system for quick access to mixing and recording parameters.
Perhaps the most notable update on the MPC XL is its interface. Akai has introduced new MPCe pads that introduce 3D-sensing technology to deliver the most tactile and responsive experience ever found on an MPC. Unlike the velocity-sensitive pads seen on previous models, each of these updated MPCe pads is divided into four quadrants, creating four expressive zones that allow producers to morph, layer and manipulate sounds with added depth and nuance – all of which is based how they touch the pad.
Designed to anchor both hybrid and DAWless studios, the MPC XL offer multiple connectivity options including XLR/TRS combo inputs with phantom power, dedicated instrument inputs, phono inputs for turntables, and eight assignable line outputs. For modular enthusiasts, 16 CV outputs transform the unit into a command center for synth-heavy setups, while USB-C provides extensive audio and MIDI I/O.
Out of the box, the MPC XL comes loaded with plugins, samples, and effects, including Native Instruments’ MPC Edition Play Series Analog Dreams and the Lone Forest Expansion. Akai has also baked in advanced features like pro stem separation, time-stretching, slicing, keygroup instruments, plugin layering, and a DAW-like arrangement view, features that combine to make the MPC XL a truly complete production ecosystem.
“The MPC XL represents the evolution of everything we’ve learned from decades of innovation in music production,” said Andy Mac, Akai Professional’s Creative Global Marketing and Artist Relations Manager. “It delivers DAW-like power in a standalone format, removing every barrier between inspiration and creation.”
The Akai Professional MPC XL is available now through Akai and its retail partners, priced at £2,499.99 GBP / €2,899.99 EUR / $2,899 USD.
