Akai Professional MPX16 Sample Player

Akai Professional MPX16 Sample Player Overview

The Akai MPX16 is a compact audio sampler player with the ability to use samples straight from an SD card. Similar to the popular Akai MPX8, samples are triggered internally from the highly responsive MPC-style backlit pads or an external MIDI device via USB-MIDI and 3.5mm (1/8-inch) MIDI inputs.

This piece of kit from Akai is ideal for DJ's when performing live but is also a great addition to any studio when used as a midi controller to trigger samples in your DAW.

Akai Product Overview

MPX16 is an advanced sample player with sixteen backlit velocity- and pressure-sensitive pads. With it, musicians, producers and performers can trigger sound samples stored on standard SD or SDHC cards. Insert the SD card, assign its contents to any of the MPX16’s pads, and go. At home in the studio as part of a producer's rig or on stage as a solution for triggering critical sounds, MPX16 is a compact sampling powerhouse.

While the hyper-responsive trigger pads and backlit display make tapping into your sample library a simple task, the integrated audio inputs empower you to add to it. Two ¼-inch (6.3mm) jacks let you connect your studio gear or other sound sources to the MPX16 for sample capture. Onboard editing tools provide sample trimming and pad assignment for immediate synergy into a production or performance. Use the headphone jack to monitor your captures, or send the audio to a mixer, monitors, a recording interface, etc using the ¼-inch main outs. A built-in mic provides immediate sample capture for those times when inspiration strikes; a dedicated Record Gain knob ensures you get it right.

MPX16’s flexibility goes beyond pad-triggered audio playback and capture. The full-size rear-panel USB port lets you drag & drop samples from your computer and even use the MPX16 as an SD card reader/writer. The USB connection also provides a pipeline for MIDI data, enabling sample triggering from your DAW or computer-based sequencer. A 5-pin MIDI input means SD samples may be triggered from any MIDI-enabled gear such as keyboards, pad controllers, synths and electronic drums. A 5-pin MIDI output lets the MPX16 function as a dynamic pad controller. Layering wide-ranging sound sources during live and studio performance just got easier.

With the included Akai Pro MPX File Conversion Utility software (free download), managing computer-based samples and moving them to the SD card is intuitive. This software converts sound files into .WAV format for seamless playback on the MPX16. Samples may be edited from the MPX16's onboard sample processor; tuning, pad groups, envelopes, sample trimming, panning, and volume are tweakable right from the MPX16’s top-panel controls.

MPX16’s compact footprint means it is at home on a tabletop, music stand, lap, tray-table or in your backpack en route to the studio. Solid Akai Pro design and industry-leading pads ensure it stands up to the daily use you expect it to see.

.