Akai Professional has launched the MPC Sample, a battery-powered standalone sampler priced at US$399 — the most accessible entry point the company has offered into the MPC ecosystem, and a notable addition to a market where finger drumming is attracting growing mainstream attention.
The MPC Sample draws on the design language of the MPC60, featuring 16 velocity-sensitive RGB pads with poly aftertouch — the core requirement for expressive finger drumming — in a compact, backpack-friendly unit. A rechargeable battery provides up to five hours of use, and a built-in speaker and microphone allow basic capture without additional gear.
The device operates as a fully standalone sampler with 8 GB internal storage, microSD expansion, and support for WAV, MP3, AIFF, FLAC and OGG formats. Instant Sample Chop Mode divides samples into playable pad sections automatically, while real-time timestretch and pitch tools, internal resampling, and four effects engines with 60 effect types provide reasonable depth for the price point. More than 100 factory kits span hip-hop, house, drum & bass, and lo-fi genres.
Connectivity includes stereo TRS inputs and outputs, MIDI in/out, Sync Out and USB-C for power, audio and file transfer. Projects transfer directly into Akai’s MPC3 software on Mac or PC for continued editing.
The MPC Sample is available now through authorised dealers worldwide, with a recommended retail price of £349, €399 or US$399.