Akai Professional has announced the MPC XL, a new flagship standalone music production workstation that expands the company’s long-running MPC range. The unit is designed to operate without a computer, combining sequencing, sampling, synthesis and studio connectivity in a single hardware system.
At the core of the MPC XL is a second-generation 8-core processor paired with 16 GB of RAM. Akai says this allows the unit to run up to 32 plugin instruments alongside 16 audio tracks, with a maximum of 256 voices. Storage is handled by an internal 256 GB NVMe SSD, with an additional SATA expansion bay for extra capacity. The MPC XL runs Akai’s MPC3 operating system and features a 10.1” tilting HD touchscreen alongside dedicated hardware controls.
A key hardware update is the introduction of MPCe pads, which use 3D-sensing technology. Each pad is divided into four quadrants, allowing additional real-time control over parameters such as sound shaping, looping and effects. The front panel also includes 16 Q-Link knobs with OLED displays, a step sequencer with RGB buttons, an assignable touch strip, and a new “XL Channel Command” section intended to streamline access to mixing and recording functions.
In terms of connectivity, the MPC XL is positioned as a central studio hub. Audio inputs include two XLR/TRS combo inputs with phantom power, two dedicated instrument inputs and two phono inputs for turntables. There are eight line outputs for routing to external mixers or recorders. For users working with modular and analogue gear, the unit provides 16 CV/Gate outputs, along with four five-pin MIDI outputs and two MIDI inputs. USB-C connectivity supports multichannel audio and MIDI I/O when integrating with other hardware or software systems.
The MPC XL ships with a bundled sound library that includes plugin instruments, effects and expansion content, including Native Instruments’ MPC Edition Play Series Analog Dreams and Akai’s Lone Forest Expansion. Sampling and production features include time-stretching, slicing, keygroup instruments, resampling, plugin layering and stem separation, alongside DAW-style arrangement and clip-launching tools.
The new instrument is the first to benefit from a new strategic partnership between AKAI Professional and Spitfire Audio, which will provide MPC users access to Spitfire’s inspiring tools within MPC device. More details will be information surrounding this partnership will be announced at a later date.
The Akai Professional MPC XL is available now through authorised retailers. Pricing is set at €2,899.99, £2,499.99 and US$2,899