Akai MPC Sample: battery-powered hardware sampler – firmware 1.3 out now

Akai MPC Sample is a new, battery-powered portable hardware sampler inspired by the Akai MPC60: full details

The MPC Sample sold out on the first day, indicating either a huge success or an insufficient initial batch. Two pieces of good news: First, more stock is on its way. According to Thomann, the next batch of MPC Samples will arrive in 1-2 weeks.

Second, following the quick 1.2.0 and 1.2.1 updates just after the release, update 1.3 is now available with new features and improvements.

Firmware 1.3 adds a new normalize sample feature, allowing you to normalize the samples to 0dB between the sample start and sample end points. For this, you must hold the shift in the trim windows, and then it reveals the new feature on button 2.

Also new is the knob takeover knob modes with which you can change the hardware control behavior to match your workflow. You can also customize the standard parameters, knob FX, and fader differently, making it very flexible.

The following modes are available

• pickup: parameters are not editable until the control matches the parameter position
• scaled: Parameters move in the same direction as the hardware control is adjusted (at a scaled rate)
• instant: As soon as a control is adjusted, the parameter will jump to match the knob position.

While you modify the knob behavior, the default knob takeover mode for the knob parameters and knob FX is now “scaled”. The fader remains in pickup mode by default.

Alongside this, the Akai MPC Sample firmware 1.3 brings various bug fixes. There are also known issues with audio glitches in Flex Beat while changing tempo.

The new firmware 1.3 is now available on the Akai website.

 

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Thomann  Amazon.de Perfect Circuit  Sweetwater 

Article from March 24, 2026

In early March, the Akai MPC Sample leaked and went viral. Anyone who missed this news either took a hiatus from social media at that time or simply didn’t want to see it.

Finally, those under embargo can stop playing hide-and-seek. Akai officially released the MPC Sample today, and I have to disappoint everyone who thought it was an AI slop. This is what the new sampler looks like, and it’s available now! 

Akai MPC Sample

As already revealed by the leak, the MPC Sample is a compact (23.6 × 19.4 × 5.0 cm), battery-powered hardware sampler inspired by the legendary vintage MPC samplers, such as the MPC60, and their workflows. 

The core of the Akai MPC sample is a CPU with 2GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage. You can extend the memory via the built-in microSD slot on the side. It consists of two sections: a top and a middle section.

On top, you have a 2.4-inch full-color display that provides visual feedback during menu navigation and waveform editing for precise sample manipulation. There is also a VU meter, a main volume knob, buttons, and a built-in 3-watt speaker. 

The middle/bottom section is all about controlling and playing the sounds. It consists of 16 RGB-backlit velocity-sensitive MPC pads with polyphonic aftertouch. These are the same pads as those used in the new MPK Mini IV MIDI keyboards.

Three real-time control knobs and a “legacy MPC parameter” provide immediate tactile control. Particularly commendable are the numerous buttons with essential features, enabling a very fast workflow. 

You have buttons for sample chopping, muting, looping, 16 levels, the sample selection, sample record, and more. Additionally, the 16 MPC pads also cover a wide range of functions, including trim sample, half seq, double seq, half speed… 

Streamlined Engine 

At the heart of the Akai MPC Sample, unlike the other MPC standalones, is a new, streamlined engine focused on sampling and on-the-fly sound manipulations. No DAW, no clip launching, no plugins, etc.

Sampling is possible via the stereo input (2x 6.3mm), the built-in microphone, or USB-C. This allows you to sample sounds directly from an iPad or other digital sources.

Alternatively, you can import your content or use samples from over 100 built-in factory kits. It supports the file types: WAV, MP3, AIFF, FLAC, OGG, and more 

One kit has up to 32 stereo voices of polyphony with disk streaming, allowing you to stream sounds from your microSD card without importing them into the 8GB storage.

Once a sample has been imported or captured, it can be processed in depth. This includes an instant sample chop mode, real-time timestretch, and pitch adjustments.

On top of that, you have 60 different effects, including pad FX, knob FX, FlexBeat from the big MPCs, and a color-compressor. As written in the leak article, you have a granulator, ring mod, reverb, half-speed, beat repeat, and more.

Not to forget, it also has an internal resampling option that lets you resample your samples with the applied FX.

The sounds can be triggered classically with finger drumming or programmed into the MPC sequencer with real-time swing (960 PPQN) and parameter automation, but no step sequencing.

Connectivity 

The MPC Sample is designed for portable sampling and music making. That’s why it also features a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery that delivers up to 5 hours of cable-free operation.

On the back, you have a headphone socket, sync out but no sync in, MIDI in and out on TRS minijacks, stereo audio inputs and outputs on 6.3mm mono jacks, a record gain control, a USB-C port for audio and data, and a power button.

The device is powered by its built-in battery or via USB-C. There is no power adapter port.

Projects created on the MPC Sample can also be opened directly in the MPC3 software for continued production on Mac or PC. 

First Impression

Akai’s goal with the new MPC is clear: to compete with the hugely popular Roland SP404Mk2. For many, that was the sampler Akai never made. Now, with the MPC Sample, they’ve finally brought it to the market, and for 399€ it’s even 100€ cheaper.

The MPC Sample looks like a great, hands-on, modern hardware sampler packed with features. Its operation is relatively easy to surpass that of the SP404Mk2, and I’m sure no finger acrobatics are required to use certain deeper functions.

Other advantages over the SP include significantly more extensive sample manipulation options (60 effects), a larger display, and battery operation, making it a truly portable beat-making device.

Design is debatable. All I can think about is: Honey, I shrunk our MPC! I’m sure the MPC Sample will be a long-lasting success. The market for affordable, powerful samplers is small, and this fills the gap perfectly.

The Akai Professional MPC Sample is available now for £349, €399, and $399 USD through authorized dealers and select music retailers worldwide. 

Update from March 13, 2026

Last week, the Akai MPC Sample hardware sampler leaked online. Now, Akai itself is teasing the sampler in a post with the name and an official release date.

It seems they’ve changed their marketing campaign due to the leaks. According to the teaser, it’s coming on March 24, 2026.

One thing is now sure: this confirms the leak! You can register for release information here. 

Article from March 5, 2026

In recent years, there has been a renaissance of hardware samplers. For example, the Roland SP-404Mk2 and the Teenage Engineering EP-133 K.O II, which also functions as a goovebox, are huge successes.

At NAMM 2026, Casio also surprisingly unveiled a new sampler that goes in the same direction as the SP-404MK2. And now the legendary sampler company seems to be getting involved in this area again. The Akai MPC sample was leaked today, a portable SP-style hardware sampler.

Leak

American retailer Alto Music has leaked the new Akai MPC Sample on eBay, priced at $399.

According to the leak, the MPC Sample is a portable hardware sampler inspired by the legendary MPC60 and MPC3000. Design-wise, I’d say: Honey, I shrunk down my vintage MPC, or maybe it’s a Teenage Engineer K.O. II in MPC style.

They write: 

For nearly 40 years, MPCs have shaped the sound and culture of modern music production. MPC Sample carries this legacy forward by making the art of sampling more accessible and approachable than ever before

The leak says that the MPC Samples features a sampler engine, a sequencer, and an effects processor that puts the iconic workflow of vintage MPCs into a compact, modern format with features that empower limitless creativity. 

Among the effects, you have a granulator, ring mod, Lo-Fi, color, delay, reverb, half-speed, chorus, flanger, phaser, beat repeat, and more.

Sampling On The Go

It features classic MPC pads, a full-color display, and simple creative controls. The page says that it is designed for hands-on sampling, looping, and beatmaking right out of the box.

For immediate idea generation, this standalone hardware comes with over 100 kits, inspiring pad and knobs effects, and an intuitive chopping workflow.

Looking at the interface, you have the important features right at your fingertips, including FXs, chopping, muting, and on-the-fly looping. MPC Sample includes all the storage and connectivity options creatives need, says the leak.

This includes a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, a microSD card slot, an onboard sequencer, an internal microphone, a built-in speaker, and a USB-C connection. They promise that no computer or DAW is required.

It seems that with the MPC Sample, Akai is bringing out a complete counterpart to the actual MPC series. It’s entirely focused on sampling, without the DAW-like workflow and plugins.

On the back side, you can also see an excellent I/O setup. You get a headphone socket, sync out, MIDI in/out on TRS, stereo in and out on 6.3mm sockets, USB-C port, and a power on/off button. It looks like it’s powered either by USB-C or via the built-in battery.

Early Look

This is very surprising. I was expecting an MPC One Mk2 rather than this. If this news is true, then I find it more interesting than another large MPC, as I’ll probably prefer its workflow to the DAW-like experience of the larger MPCs. 

Akai MPC Sample availability TBA. According to the leak, it will cost $399.

More information here: Akai Pro

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