Akai MPC 3.0 is now in beta. It introduces a complete OS overhaul with new features, including the unique selling point of the Force hardware.
With the MPC software, Akai has developed a complete, successful ecosystem in recent years. Their current MPC hardware portfolio uses the same operating system as the associated MPC software—a hybrid system. What is striking, however, is that the Akai Force has been massively neglected in the last updates and new plugins.
Instead of announcing a Force II, Akai unveiled a massive MPC firmware update—3.0- introducing the Force hardware’s USP: the arranger.
Akai MPC 3.0
Congrats, Akai team. That’s a big surprise. MPC 3.0 is a massive overhaul of the operation system. Not only are there tons of new features, but it also changes the workflow and its look.
In detail, you get a new, redesigned main mode interface that makes the global overview easier. Also, it comes with a full-color track and pad mixer, drum grid, and more.
One of the highlights of the MPC 3.0 is not making the Akai Force community happy. It introduces the linear arranger to the MPC lineup, a feature that was previously exclusive to the Akai Force. This turns the MPC line into a DAW.
Given the decision, the future of the Force does not look good to me. Still, there is no clip launching in MPC 3.0.
Then, it ships with a new XL channel strip for each channel. Here, you can conveniently access the essential features of the plugins on the selected track.
Another highlight of MPC 3.0 is the introduction of disk streaming. Now, you can stream your sounds directly from the internal hard drive, a feature that has been long awaited. Talking about sounds, each pad can now host up to 8 layers for deeper sound design options.
Further, they extended the modulation options by implementing a more advanced automation engine. As you know, you can draw automation lines for each track, as you are used to using a classic DAW.
Other features include a new one-to-one track workflow, Q-Link and X/Y Pad macro controls, direct-to-pad sampling, and more.
Akai Pro promises that the new MPC 3.0 firmware is compatible with all instruments and effects plugins, including MPC Steams. Plus, you can import legacy projects from other devices.
First Impression
This is a massive, upcoming free update for the MPC series. The new features and improvements that the MPC 3.0 firmware brings with it are very exciting and make many things more accessible. It’s a shame, though, that this probably also means the end of the Force because it no longer has a USP. Or they surprise us with a Force 3.0 update as well. We will see it in the future.
Akai Pro MPC 3.0 is now in beta, and it will be later. The new firmware is compatible with: Live – Live II – One – One+ – X – X SE – Key 37 – Key 61.
More information here: Akai Pro
Who wants to buy my Force?
I don’t fully get it, I’ve owned both the MPC One and the Force- to me the main difference was clip launching on the Force. It was why I loved the Force and didn’t love the program-style layout of MPC One. This doesn’t seem to have changed in this beta firmware, so they still seem miles apart to me.
the arranger was the key point of Force besides the clip launching. Maybe we will see the clip launcher in MPC 3.5 or 4.0 😉
it is still the main difference. MPC cannot clip launch like the force.
Other than that, im glad i have an mpc live and akai force.
Not used the force in ages though, it oculd do with an equally nice overhaul to bring it back to life, as its pretty dead to me and boxed up in a cupboard right now.
The Force is supposed to be the DAW in a box. The MPC is simple and immediate. Why are they combining them making everyone mad?? We all love the Force it’s the best thing Akai has done in ages. To have 64 pads for sample Chops and step sequencer is next level. And you can play it like a instrument with clip launching.
I hope they have fixed the “old” Multichannel Note OFF issue, raised years ago.
I’m pretty jaded by now, and you’d think they’d fix it in a full rewrite, but at this point I feel like they’d almost intentionally write that bug IN just out of spite.
It’s the only thing that keeps me from using my MPC as the true brain of my setup.
are there anymore benefits of maschine plus now, other than the sounds?
it’s often the workflow. Two different workflows. I personally prefer the Maschine workflow over the MPC. I sold my MPC One due of the workflow but don’t know maybe it fits now better my ways of working
the Mac said “Force users be patient “
from patients virtues arrise.. listen to Mac.. Use the the force peeps
its the secuencer able to define number of steps per track? or still not? inposible to polyrythm with akai machines is a mess
and still no rex 2 import in stand alone
That’s a limitation of Rex 2, it can’t be used in Linux, so it’s never going to happen in standalone. It’s not something akai can fix in an update