Published 12/2/08
The legend continues
Sampling experts Akai announced the latest model in the MPC range of sampling workstations at the NAMM show back in January, with the MPC5000, their new flagship product.
As expected with any MPC, the 5000 features 16 of Akai's trademark trigger pads, but unlike any other MPC, it's capable of recording eight tracks of audio to hard disk. Other new features include a re-vamped sequencing engine, a 20-voice, three-oscillator synth with built-in arpeggiator, and a new effects engine with four buses, each of which can run two effects presets.
Its 64-voice drum sampler has 64MB of sampling RAM as standard, although this can be expanded to 192MB into which samples from a Compact Flash card can be loaded. The MPC5000's screen is an improvement over that of the MPC2500, being twice the size and hinged, so audio waveforms and status information can be displayed in greater detail at an angle that suits the user.
The MPC5000 has an amazing 10 analogue outputs, as well as an ADAT optical port that can be hooked up to a D-A converter for a further eight outputs. There's also an S/PDIF input and output, alongside two MIDI inputs and four MIDI outputs, an RCA turntable input (with built-in phono preamp) and combi XLR mic/line inputs.
What's more, in addition to the ability to record onto the machine, users can chose to have a CD-R/DVD drive fitted, so they can burn their tracks directly to audio CD, and there's on-board compression and EQ, so they can beef up the sound to your liking.
As you've probably noticed by now, it's a feature-packed machine, and one that we'll want to take a look at as soon as it's available. Keep your eyes peeled for an SOS review in forthcoming issues. But for now, why not check out the video that we made at the NAMM show, below.
Numark +44 (0)1252 341400
www.akaipro.com
Sampling experts Akai announced the latest model in the MPC range of sampling workstations at the NAMM show back in January, with the MPC5000, their new flagship product.As expected with any MPC, the 5000 features 16 of Akai's trademark trigger pads, but unlike any other MPC, it's capable of recording eight tracks of audio to hard disk. Other new features include a re-vamped sequencing engine, a 20-voice, three-oscillator synth with built-in arpeggiator, and a new effects engine with four buses, each of which can run two effects presets.
Its 64-voice drum sampler has 64MB of sampling RAM as standard, although this can be expanded to 192MB into which samples from a Compact Flash card can be loaded. The MPC5000's screen is an improvement over that of the MPC2500, being twice the size and hinged, so audio waveforms and status information can be displayed in greater detail at an angle that suits the user.
The MPC5000 has an amazing 10 analogue outputs, as well as an ADAT optical port that can be hooked up to a D-A converter for a further eight outputs. There's also an S/PDIF input and output, alongside two MIDI inputs and four MIDI outputs, an RCA turntable input (with built-in phono preamp) and combi XLR mic/line inputs.
What's more, in addition to the ability to record onto the machine, users can chose to have a CD-R/DVD drive fitted, so they can burn their tracks directly to audio CD, and there's on-board compression and EQ, so they can beef up the sound to your liking.
As you've probably noticed by now, it's a feature-packed machine, and one that we'll want to take a look at as soon as it's available. Keep your eyes peeled for an SOS review in forthcoming issues. But for now, why not check out the video that we made at the NAMM show, below.
Numark +44 (0)1252 341400
www.akaipro.com
