NAMM 2025: Akai Pro has partnered up with Native Instruments to bring new features and exclusive sound content to the MPC platform.
The modern beat production world consists of two camps: the Akai MPC and the Native Instruments Maschine. Both are proven platforms, with Akai having made massive leaps with the MPC platform in recent years.
Instead of competing battles on the music tech court, Akai Pro and Native Instruments are joining forces to bring the MPC platform even further. Both companies have announced an unprecedented collaboration for NAMM 2025.
Akai Pro Native Instruments
Yes, you read it correctly. Akai Pro and Native Instruments are now working closely together. Central to this new partnership is the integration of Native Instruments’ powerful sounds and tools into Akai’s MPC platform.
“By merging Akai Professional’s hardware innovation with Native Instruments’ software expertise, this collaboration empowers musicians, producers, and creators with unmatched creative possibilities,” says the press release.
What does this mean for MPC hardware and software users? One thing is sure: Akai and Native will not merge into one large company. However, it is a collaboration that benefits all users of the upcoming MPC 3.0 software. You will notice two exciting things in the next few months.
NKS Support
On the one hand, the new Native Instruments NKS 2.0 standard is extended to inMusic MIDI controllers. In late February 2025, Akai Pro will add NKS support to the MPK keyboard controllers, enabling seamless compatibility and offering creative flexibility.
At the same time, M-Audio’s current-generation Oxygen Series keyboards will also become NKS-compatible. Part of this Akai Pro and Native Instruments deal is that MPK Series owners will also gain access to the Komplete 15 Select software package.
This brings pre-mapped controls and intuitive navigation directly from MPK controllers, including MPK Mini Mk3, Mini Play, Mini Plus, and MPK249.
It doesn’t stop at MIDI controllers. The Native Instruments integration and sounds will also be included in the standalone MPC hardware groove boxes.
Standalone MPCs Meet Native Instruments Sounds
The Akai Pro and Native Instruments collaboration will also expand the upcoming MPC 3.0 platform. Native Instruments will bring exclusive titles from their Play Series instruments, previously for Kontakt, to the MPC platform.
According to Akai, these new MPC Edition Play Series of virtual instruments provide an accessible gateway to Native Instruments acclaimed sound catalog, blending high-quality presets with intuitive controls to create distinctive sonic palettes.
Three new Play Series instruments are available today: Analog Dreams, Cloud Supply, and Nacht. Additional instruments, including Homage and Sway, are set to launch later in February 2025.
Further, five genre-specific Expansion sound packs, Faded Reels and Hazy Days, are available now, with Lone Forest, Global Shake, and Rare Vibrations to follow. These packs feature one-shots, samples, tempo-synced loops, and exclusive FX chains.
“For over forty years, Akai Professional has set the standard for music production and performance tools, beginning with the revolutionary MPC series that transformed sampling and music creation,” said Joe Richardson, EVP, Chief Commercial Officer of inMusic, owner of Akai Professional. “This collaboration with Native Instruments marks a new era for our users, seamlessly integrating our hardware with their renowned software to deliver unmatched compatibility, creativity, and inspiration for the next generation of artists and producers.”
“This collaboration bridges two iconic brands to provide creators with a fully integrated ecosystem,” said Simon Cross, Chief Product Officer of Native Instruments. “By combining Akai Professional’s legendary hardware with our expansive sound libraries and tools, we’re pushing the boundaries of music creation. This partnership represents a milestone in our commitment to offering musicians an open, interconnected platform that unlocks new pathways for creativity and makes professional-grade technology more accessible than ever.”
First Impression
The NAMM Show can still surprise. This is definitely a surprise one day before the official start. I think it’s exciting that both companies are now working together. I always hoped the NKS format would expand to other non-NI keyboards. That’s now the case.
I’m very curious to see how far this Akai Pro Native Instruments collaboration will go and whether we’ll see plugins for the MPCs like Massive or FM8 in the future.
The new Akai Pro Native Instruments MPC Edition Play Series instruments are available now in the official NI store, starting at 29€.
More information here: Akai / Native Instruments
Wow. That s an interesting development. I like the idea of nks first being widened to other brands.
Will owners of Komplete Standard/ultimate/CE be able to use additional contents on MPC or is it only Komplete select being ported?
There are only special MPC Edition PLay Series instruments that you can buy separately for it. No other instruments from Komplete so far.
Superb. Akai has made a true workstation with these upgrades.
What if you own Kontact and an MPC one? Will I be able to put everything on the stand alone MPC?
no there are just the Play Series MPC Edition from Native Instruments that are compatible.