Akai MPC Key 37 G2 is the second generation of its 37-key keyboard MPC with four times more power, better connectivity, and more.
Akai today unveiled the second generation of the MPC One, boasting more power and other features. This marks the first major hardware (CPU/RAM) upgrade in six years. And it’s not just the MPC One that’s received a successor.
Akai has also released the MPC Key 37 G2, the second generation of its keyboard MPC.
Akai MPC Key 37 G2
The MPC Key 37 was released in red in 2024 and was somewhat underpowered right from the start. This was because it used the same specs as the MPC One+, namely the 2020-era CPU/RAM. This is now being massively improved.
The Akai MPC Key 37 G2 is the second generation of the keyboard MPC. Now in cream white, inspired by the iconic cream colorway of original MPCs from the late 1980s. Goodbye red. Still not in black, but in cream white, which is less conspicuous than the red.
Apart from the new color, nothing has changed on the outside. It still has a 37-key synth action keybed with velocity and aftertouch, pitch and mod wheels on the left side, 16 MPC pads, a 7-inch full-color multitouch display, and more.
Just like the MPC One G2, the new keyboard MPC has also received a major internal hardware upgrade.
At the core of the MPC Key 37 G2 is an 8-core processor paired with 4GB of RAM (2GB in the predecessor), delivering dramatically faster load times, greater project capacity, more plugins, and smoother standalone sessions.
It supports up to 32 simultaneous plugin instruments and up to 16 stereo audio tracks in standalone, giving producers the headroom to build full, professional productions entirely in standalone.
The internal memory has also been significantly expanded. Where the MPC Key 37 had 16GB, the Gen 2 now boasts 64GB of internal storage. The new specs suit the new MPC Key very well and finally make the instrument as powerful as one would want it to be.
MPC 3 + Plugins
MPC 3.9 also turns the Akai MPC Key 37 G2 into a powerful all-in-one standalone groove workstation, but with a keyboard. It features a full linear arranger, expanded arrangement workflows, integrated synthesis, and deeper DAW interoperability.
An optional Pro Pack unlocks Pro Stems Algorithm, Super Warp Time-Stretch, Clip Matrix, and other pro-level plug-in effects on the new MPC One.
Also the MPC Key 37 G2 also includes an impressive package of MPC plugins and sounds right out of the box. It ships with the Native Instruments Analog Dreams MPC edition at launch, featuring a premium collection of analog-inspired cinematic sounds.
Alongside this, it includes 13 instrument plugins, six curated expansion packs, and over 20GB of production-ready content, giving producers a complete professional palette from the moment they power on. The following plugins are included:
- NI Analog Dreams MPC Edition (free, included at launch)
- Bassline
- Electric
- Fabric Select
- Hype
- Mellotron
- Odyssey
- Organ
- Solina
- Tubesynth
- Drumsynth
- OPY-4
- Jura
- Sub Factory
Furthermore, it includes six expansions: Acoustic Tools, Classic Drum Machines, Apollo Retro Kits, Marco Polo Lo-Fi Book, Gemini Future Classic Synths, and Orion Future Classic Workstations.
Expanded Connectivity
The Akai MPC Key 37 G2 also benefits from improved connectivity. Not on the back, but internally. On the back, you have the same I/O (main stereo output and input, eight CV/gate outputs…) as in generation 1, except for the new USB-C port.
Better CPU, RAM, and USB-C enable new options. It introduces 24×24 multi-channel audio streaming, expanded to 32 MIDI I/O channels, and full host and device support over a single cable. A highlight is the ability to sample directly from phones, tablets, and external devices via USB-C.
Further, Ableton Live Control Mode and seamless Ableton project import/export make either machine a natural bridge between hardware creation and DAW finishing. Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz/5 GHz, 802.11ac) and Bluetooth 5 are also on board.
First Impression
The MPC Key 37 finally has the power it deserves. With this upgrade, it’s a powerful keyboard sampler, synthesizer, and workstation. Thanks, Akai, for this upgrade.
Akai MPC Key 37 G2 is now available for $999/£849/€999 through authorized dealers and select music retailers worldwide.
More information here: Akai Pro
Available from my partners
Ordered the keys. It’s gonna be my first time using a ‘modern’ MPC.
nice!
i have the red Key 37!
very good Keys imho with aftertouch.
I have purchased both MPC one and MPC 37 in the past. Now Akai decides to improve everything in a couple of years! I am pissed. Akai should offer a buy back program for all the hardware that was sold, that now is not worthy. Are they trying to follow the model of the car industry? This doesn’t make sense and it seems a money grab on unsuspecting small artist!
Wait that means your devices will break after the G2 release and you won’t be able to make music anymore.
Computer companies, etc. releases every 6 month new models. They also don’t break after the release of the new models.
Same for Akai. They even give them free OS updates. So, I suggest use them. You have them and why not making music with them.
Are you serious?
The new update to the MPC software will work with your One and 37 that you bought.
You don’t have to buy a new one.
This may be a Suprise to you, but Akai are a business. Businesses exist to make money. Money that pays a lot of people a salary that they depend on.
Akai (and Arturia with the Minifreak) have been amazing with their updates. They’ve added so much more functionality and features that it’s almost like new gear with each major update. And all completely free. And the products were already pretty damn good before any updates anyway.
It’s comupter tech, it ages fast. That’s not something Akai can do anything about. (beside the soldered RAM of course)
Firmware 3.9 will still work on Gen 1. Maybe Akai will stop support when 4.0 is released. (I’m not talking bug fixes)
Which makes sense cause if the newer plugins can’t run on the old hardware than why keep dragging it along?
The thing that everyone should be mad about (and I find this out after buying the Gen 2 is that I now have to spend an extra 200,- just to get the clip launcher. This is full greed mode by InMusic I was fearing and shows us exactly what Jack O’Donnell is really about. I hope more people including sites like synth anatomy write their articles about it.
This Pro pack will only slow down future development when only a certain percentage of users will actually buy it. Should’ve been on the device when you buy the MPC period!
And?
everybody knew some time in the (Not so distant) Future, there will be New Version.
OK, with different colors every Time, i agree a Bit to the Car comparison.
guess i am Lucky, i love my Red Key 37 and Not this Light Grey.
the blue is sick thought. 😄
i won’t Stop using it.
maybe in a few years, but i don’t know Set.
Nice! I’ve been on the fence about the MPC Key 37 for a while, but this might just prompt a “Thomann” click from me.
Noob here. Purchased the 37 a year back and I havent even scratched its potential so this new internal upgrade does nothing to itch my GAS. But good its out there.