Akai MPX16 Sampler - Hands on Exclusive!

BUY: gtrgtr.uk/akaim...
REVIEW: gtrgtr.uk/mpx16...
Akai sent us one of these beauties to demonstrate, so we got local finger drumming master Ed to give it a full play test. We also played with the built-in microphone and he showed us how easy it was to have an impromptu sample-jam session. The power of this little unit is immense - there's not much like it out at the moment so place a preorder with us to put your name on one, 'cause they'll sell like hot cakes!
*NOTE: Since time of shooting this video we managed to find the shortcut to increment by 10 when turning a parameter dial*

[@Thumbshifter]

I wanted one of these and, given that the prices online are all about the same, I went with you guys purely because you'd taken the time to make this video. Keep up the good work...

[@guitarguitaruk]

+Thumbshifter Thanks, we appreciate it dude! Hope you enjoying using it :)

[@gjc82071]

+GUITARGUITAR Can you IMPORT samples on this? (or can you record ONLY by using the mic or inputs?) I want a simple machine with 8-16 pads, that has sampling, sample import, & flash RAM. I just want to load/import vintage drum machine samples, & I want them to stay in memory when I power off the unit. I'm having hard time finding a device that can do that. I don't suppose the MPX16 will do that stuff?

[@guitarguitaruk]

From what it sounds like, the MPX16 would be spot on for your uses. Samples can be loaded onto the unit via SD card or USB (SD card required) some more details can be found here - www.akaipro.com/kb/article/1724

[@palasako8732]

What the heck is akai thinking? they have taken off all there amazing standalone machines off the market, replaced the mpc series with controllers, and their only standalone samplers freaking suck. The mpc 500 was absoloutely brilliant. Standalone, battery powered, with a microphone and an sd card slot!? they went 50,000 steps forward and a million steps back.

[@benduddell2686]

+Palasako I have the 500, it's brilliant. Logical next step was to give it a few more endless rotaries and a bigger screen. Akai could learn from Korg who are killing it lately.

[@DJDigitalJosh]

Palasako Totally Agree! No Battery Power, No Bueno!

[@velartt]

Does mpc500 have a built-in microphone like this one?

[@MrTomb789]

If you hold enter down as you're turning the dial/knob, you can increase/decrease in increments of 10 (might save some wear and tear on your unit) 3:50

[@scumimpaler]

Think twice before buying this stuff. I've been testing this for 3 weeks. The list of bugs in the software makes the toy useless on stage. Went frustrated and checked the Akai pro forum, where I found just a flood of complaints. And the helpdesk replying in idiotic, templated way. Ad rem: - Putting anything longer than drumbeat into pads makes kit loading ridiculously long. 14 loops (like a 8 seconds each) and 2 drumhits gives +/- 4 minutes of loading. Too long for a stage. Can't imagine switching kits between songs. - Not possible to choke one loop by launching another loop. Choking works only for short one-hits like hi-hat. Choking between two loops gives just a glitchy 'infinite loop' noise: "takatakatakataka....!". This is the most often described bug by users. - The internal memory tries to rearrange when you choose a bigger file from your SD card. The project I described gave me 3 cases of this king. After this process the device usually goes unstable. Sometimes just restarts (Hurray! You are given another 4 minutes, go, have a tea...). Not to mention that after the restarting the device is set to play a default kit. Not your kit. You have to wait for the default kit to be loaded and it is after this time you can start loading your project and watch the screen for 4 minutes.

[@palasako8732]

This sounds utterly horrible. The sad thing is that a unit like this could have so much potential.

[@scumimpaler]

Some of usability problems are possible to fix just by upgrading software one day (like choking or default kit), but the horrible performance is rather caused by the hardware they used...

[@palasako8732]

scumimpaler I wonder if they even tested it before release.

[@scumimpaler]

Tests differ, they say. Popular software testers' joke: "There is only a glass bulb mentioned in the document. Nothing written about providing light." :D

[@fredrikwaara1400]

Thanx Scumimpaler, that does it, no mpx for me. Seems manufactures these days put out unfinished shit. If it's a hit bugs get fixed within 12-18 mounth, if not they never fix it and you're pretty much screwed. These companies need to get sued, and put out of business...

[@hairbear2705]

Nice to know you're still haunting the music tech scene, Steve!! I'll be in touch soon....👍👍

[@D.Z.A.-kp8lf]

Damn... This was bad

[@LiveLoopers]

Thanks for taking the time to make this. A pretty good demo for such a new machine at the time.

[@CountDoucheula]

You guys just don't get it. He's clearly a polyrhythmic musical genius, playing a different BPM with each hand

[@CountDoucheula]

Fuck off with your obvious bait

[@Deckardrick007]

The pad layout was the main reason why I didn't purchase this. Why would Akai take away the signature MPC layout? Major bummer

[@ancientmartianunderground]

Very well done demo . I was too far away to buy from you but thanks for your info...mine arrives tomorrow

[@beetledesign9517]

Where can I find the MPX16 Editor in 2023?

[@TheRealHucasys]

Damn, I want that table!

[@eachhitmedium]

Haha, you had to go to a "closed" music store to demo a product they probably sell. Fantastic intro. Very creative.

[@guitarguitaruk]

ERATICON We figured a bit of drama doesn't hurt :)

[@Synthematix]

[@battlemode]

I'd strongly advise looking at buying a refurbished MPC1000 instead of this... not quite the same price range but the extra cash gets you a powerful portable one-box studio that'll most likely outlive these new toys by years and years...

[@FoolishFlock]

At@-> 2:30 it completely! sounds! like! He! 'Spit' on-it! outta' total! disgust!... HaHaHa!! Lolz!! LMFAO!!... 😄😂😉✌

[@StephenHandley]

where in the world is carmen san diego

[@stack0413]

HA!!!

[@ottoottman6703]

man this device looks awesome if never heard about the akai device sbut now that i stumbled across them i defently need to buy one !! does anyone think there is something comperable ? i mean a standalone device with 16 pads intern mic. sd lot wtf thats fking awesome

[@mustafagokhanball7260]

İyi günler . Mpx 8 kullanıyorum , yetersiz kaldığı için mpx 16 aldım mpx 8 de kullandığım SD kartimi mpx 16 ya taktım süresi uzun olan sampılları görmüyor ama mpx 8 görüyor , bunun nedeni nedir ? Yardımcı olursanız çok sevinirim

[@kiskadar69]

Akai MPX8 and MPX16 are similar in that they create external kit files in the \KITS directory on the SD card as KIT001.KIT, KIT002.KIT, etc. But the .KIT format of MPX8 is not the same as the .KIT format of MPX16, so MPX16 does not read MPX8 .KIT files and MPX8 does not read MPX16 .KIT files. Solution: you need to create MPX16 compatible .KIT files with MPX16.

[@jeftombala1011]

great stuff, thanks for the review.

[@n.tvlogs3976]

Can we change tempo of loops on real time

[@KoolteethDeBlog]

The MPX16 isn't worth it. Loops won't run on beat, memory is restricted, file converter crashes files. And no one tells you. Don't buy it!

[@pkoziolek1]

such a great vid! it's so refreshing to watch ppl just having fun with MPX16 and exploring its functionalities instead of seeing another pretentious guy talking shit about 150$ equipment not being ideal XD

[@jbandshahayeah1862]

This kid needs rhythm

[@yunggaucho3534]

J bands Haha yeah hahahaha

[@stealthshot28]

seriously

[@mrmryouyou1141]

Sometimes the equipment is at fault. Might have a slight lag to it

[@boothbuster]

Could be auto quantizing and not picking it up right. The Toraiz is really good somehow at quantizing real-time input, for example. Usually in a DAW if it does that, a lot do notes get quantized to the next 16th or what not, sounding late.

[@thomasmanana2958]

rhythm nazis

[@7TekMedia]

the manual says that it is limited to 45seconds of sample time per bank or something like that.... did you guys test any longer samples, as in longer than 1 minute?

[@onethingremains_7553]

Can I record my own source ? If is it possible, how can I do that?

[@miles46100]

Can this get samples from a vinyl record or mp3 player?

[@JVJF7]

Yes

[@ildarkinildarkin]

Look, Can MPD 226 play songs without computer? I mean if I connect it's output to speakers can I play pads?

[@leewightman8619]

All as they needed to do was put a sequencer in this and pattern chaining and it would be a full sampler

[@aidanvinum]

akai mpx16 versus Korg microsampler ? How do they compare? Anybody? thanks.

[@e.o.1991]

Can mpx16 be power supplied by a power bank through USB ?

[@AlbertAagaard]

Sí, incluso podés alimentarlo con un smartphone.

[@negro2011]

when will guitarguitar begin shipiing them??? great vid!!! how's the built quality seems a little loose from the vid...can the samples be step-sequenced through a Arturia Beatstep??

[@am5790]

a Nice groovy track!

[@phuturemusic]

nice table you got there

[@LeelooHere]

Does anybody have any idea of how compatible this would be with a Korg Volca Beats? I figure you could go MIDI in and then use this as a much more convenient platform to make beats. Since the Volcas only have those small ribbon keys. And if you sampled a beat from the Volca, I'm thinking you could then use the MPX16 to make beats longer than the 16 step length the Volca limits you to. Any input would be appreciated, thanks!

[@nykretus]

I need for intros and out Roa for a band does anyone know if you can save long tracks in a pad let say 2 or 4 ,5 mnts long and would I have enough space to do the same with other pads

[@callumfrancis8581]

Does anybody know if I can edit the samples on the fly? Like, can I change the filter envelope on one of the samples as its playing?

[@guitarguitaruk]

Yep you can indeed, filter attack, decay, amplitude attack and decay can be controlled using the 4 knobs.

[@JamieClark]

with an external midi keyboard, can a sample be played chromatically across the keys?

[@dudemanxx]

awesome question, that's not even something that crossed my mind but that would be very cool

[@kiskadar69]

No.

[@peanatter]

You already lost me as he had to turn the encoder about 10 times the full 360° just to cut a kick! Usability?

[@guitarguitaruk]

aber The guys didn't realise there's a shift button to scroll through values way quicker - d'oh!

[@clftn77cw]

Buyer

[@jugopromo]

Lol. He turned it at least 17 times...

[@Pan6888]

How do you sample using the internal mic ? in mine it doesnt seem to work or i am making a mistake with the sample source.

[@siremet1009]

I was hoping these guys recorded an actual music sample on the mpx instead of recording their voice. I have a question: Can the mpx16 automatically repeat the built in sounds once the pads are pressed?? I think something was said about automatic playback using chords. What chords would that be?

[@valeriokurs]

Can Akai MpX16 reproduce tape songs as a digital recorder? I mean the samples I upload can be as long as a song?

[@acidphaze]

Is there a way to trim or truncate recorded sounds so that it can take out silence from the samples to free up memory space on the SD card from the main panel on the unit?

[@guitarguitaruk]

When you truncate a sample it frees up RAM on the pads, but it doesn't alter the original sample recorded/saved on the SD card. You cannot chop a sample in two and take out a middle part of the sample, unfortunately. This sort of thing isn't difficult with some audio software on your PC though!

[@acidphaze]

Yes, just I thought. Thank you very much for your reply.

[@45rpm.]

I thought this would have a sequencer built in (it would cost almost nothing to implement because it would just be a case of adding it to the software) but it doesn't (don't want it eating into MPC sales) - If it did I would buy it now - or pre-order one. The Korg Electribe sampler looks very weird but it looks like I will have to get that when it is available even though it has a lot of things I don't need. Rolands SP-404sx is not so good for rhythm sequencing using single drum sounds (something to do with no step sequencing and no quantising I am told) I just wanna do some good old fashioned sequencing - I don't have a desire to be a virtuoso finger drummer and I'm not a DJ, I just want the ability to make rhythms (from my samples of drum hits etc) in a self contained box (whilst away from the "studio") using traditional sequencing.

[@talebuttbitchton1267]

it has a midi in as well as usb in so you could always sequence it with a free computer program like reaper or use an external midi sequencer which would probably be much cheaper than the electribe. hell might as well just get one of the old electribes if you just need sampling they are cheap on ebay. up to you though im sure the new electribe would work great it will just be more confusing

[@45rpm.]

talebutt bitchton An electribe - old or new - might be what I end up getting. I want a self contained and preferably battery operated box so that I can do things whilst away from the "studio" (studio being: pc for MIDI/Audio and way too many analogue synths drum machines and effects for one man) It will have to wait a while though - since my last post I have bought 2 synthesizers and the next purchase is 2 (for stereo) pro microphones.

[@talebuttbitchton1267]

45rpm just get the old electribe es-1 i think it is or something from electron i mean batteries can always be used even if it says it requires a dc power supply you can always use one of those phone backup batteries they are small and rechargable

[@odeytayem8902]

fk... i had one ordered and its gona be here tomorrow..

[@leewightman8619]

Exactly a sequencer and pattern chaining and it would have been a full standalone sampler

[@S-T-E-V-E]

I had an MPX8 and it was rubbish, I returned it and bought an MPC. The main problem with these is that they only play WAV samples so you have to convert every sample to WAV and there's no editing software to chop the tracks. So you are better getting an MPC this thing will only frustrate you

[@mastersage9252]

Was this a joke?

[@blacksunrise1349]

The performance was so bad I won't buy one. Akai will be filing bankruptcy next year because of ED...

[@mep6014]

+blacksunrise Yeah Ed was bad af

[@liseros9932]

There's the possibility to split each pad on 16 different keyboards keys via MIDI? Please tell me that it could be done...

[@kiskadar69]

Yes, you can do it.

[@ladyelle07]

hi could you guys advice on a good starter sampler /sequencer

[@swpenguin]

MPC 2000XL/SP404sx

[@tarifanocturnajazz7564]

Doing what you try is needed a person with a little bit experience in singing and editing drum voice. The main micro can sim a good drum simply spiting the air on the mic

[@ildarkinildarkin]

Hey , I didn't get them - has this unit got a sequencer with the update or they were talking about adding (connecting) sequencer to the MPX?

[@kiskadar69]

This unit has no sequencer.

[@JohnSAitken]

What’s the earth leek when all is quite?

[@DiviMars]

bro killed it in the beginning

[@PeterDiMeo]

it also will not accurately save my samples or kits, and won't delete re-record what i want it to. i don't get it

[@guitarguitaruk]

+Peter Dime Hey Peter, that doesn't seem right. I'd speak to the retailer you bought it off, we didn't have such problems. Hope it gets sorted!

[@kosemoja8348]

Can I record bass loop from my bass guitar.

[@airfrankenstein]

thanks for the post. any chance of a walk-through showing features and functions? Also, can the mpx16 do sample mangling?

[@guitarguitaruk]

As I understand it no, you can't do much to chop the samples up onboard, only trim them. Hmm, watch this space, I think Akai will release something soon! We had to send our unit back :(

[@JVJF7]

@@guitarguitaruk And what was it?

[@rawlrcrds1484]

do i need to get a pad upgrade or is the reaction time on point

[@okAngelface]

Harrible video!!!

[@noelreason9136]

One of the most unenthusiastic reviews and I really cannot blame them. i Had one of these and it was absolutely horrible. It felt cheap, sounded cheap, was not fun to use at all and is probably one of the worst pieces of hardware I have owned, (the worst being the Akai Rhythm Wolf....the less said the better about that thing). I would suggest you avoid it like the plague and buy something else. Akai have been throwing out a lot of crap recently, and it's damaged their rep for sure. Give or take a few things, most of their current output is shite. However, The Akai MPC touch looks amazing. Fingers crossed

[@FatalFriction]

Noel Reason what was the problem with the wolf?

[@boothbuster]

Fatal Friction mark my words, rhythm Wolf and the other two synths are going to be worth a lot more in a few years. They are already marked up a lot on any major resellers who have them still, due to being discontinued... once used ones stop selling for cheap (i.e., the people who want them have them and don’t give them up), they are going to explode in price and popularity, just like the 808/909/303 trio.

[@andreasm3244]

I recently saw the akai rhythm wolf on ebay for 100 bucks and considered almost buying it. Thank you

[@rashodlewis2918]

How do you sample vinyl records?

[@cray56]

Whats with the ground noise?

[@miss.wright3035]

What these promo videos aren't showing is the MPX's trigger samples 2ms after their start point. Meaning one hit samples are truncated from the start. Akai's sample import utility adds a silence space in the beginning but this just creates latency. The product is flawed !

[@justinnaramor6050]

Yeah right, as if 2MS is such a horrible amount of latency :/ :/ :/ 2 milliseconds is so incredibly small. like 20 milliseconds or more is when you'll really notice it. Heck, even some acoustic musical instruments can have some "latency" (if you want to call it that). Saying that that's a reason the product is flawed is flawed in itself. Again, 2 milliseconds latency is really very tiny.

[@sabotage11111]

why is this any better than just a midi controller with pads? can anyone explain to me? because it seems it isn't...

[@roasty80]

The only difference I can see is you work off a power supply and sd card without the pc turned on

[@daniilkotilevits8835]

Can it be used as a sample player when connecting it to midi keyboard via usb ?

[@guitarguitaruk]

As I understand it, no. The only way would be to output audio from the sampler and into an aux input on a keyboard, use it side by side.

[@noizekiller]

Can i record external source, add it to a pad and play it while other pads play in loop mode? Am i right that whole playback time for 16 pads will not exceed 6-7 minutes and time of each sample can`t be more than 40 seconds?

[@guitarguitaruk]

You can do that yes, you just set a pad to loop and you can record onto another at the same time. Samples can definitely be longer than 40 seconds. The limitation is that you can have 60Mb of sounds spread across the 16 pads. Hope this helps!

[@noizekiller]

GUITARGUITAR I meant that if i`m going to use all 16 pads, than samples wouldn`t exceed 40 (or even 26) seconds, because 60MB are nearly equal to 6,9 min in stereo (700mb / 80min = 8,75mb/min; 60mb / 8,75 = 6,9min; 6,9min x 60 = 414 sec; 414 sec / 16 pads = 26 sec/pad).

[@guitarguitaruk]

Александр Вромбер Yep, you're quite correct there actually. You could lower the sample rate or just use mono samples, however.

[@airfrankenstein]

@GUITARGUITAR- My experience with the machine is that when you record it stops everything else that's playing. How did you manage to make it work?

[@michanowacki9152]

i must buy;)

[@ikenfinnesethat9809]

Does this only work with voice settings

[@guitarguitaruk]

Kenny Schelich With regards to sampling into the unit, you can record directly in using the inputs on the back, so you can sample anything you like.

[@reazallykhan8614]

Oh dear

[@Skulltiki]

why did he knock on the door it was obviously open

[@alexeyblinov336]

awesome!!

[@skilletfingerz7380]

is this a controller or a drum machine

[@morgander4930]

this sucks !

[@Goth108]

Would it be possible to do a normal demo showing normal jungle or hiphop sampling using vinyls and the line in instead of weird nonstandard stuff and miniature presentation not really showing the character? Thanks if so... Also, does the stereo in saturate or not?

[@guitarguitaruk]

We probably won't be doing another video on the MPX16. Saturation is something that occurs on analogue gear, but the MPX16 will just clip/distort if the signal going in is too loud.

[@Goth108]

Well, some old MPCs are said to be saturating instead of digital clipping, hence it would be nice if you knew in detail what you review and how to work with it in real life... it's all nice funny and interesting and stuff, but I still don't know what it sounds like if you just take some kick, snare, hats and all the standard melodic stuff usually used for sampling. Also: what is that weird humming when he stops jamming at about 5 minutes?

[@guitarguitaruk]

Goth108 I'm not too sure what that noise is! Perhaps our video doesn't cover all the things you need, I hope you find what you're after from some of the other videos out there.

[@45rpm.]

Goth108 There has to be an analogue input for the analogue signals to go in before all the digital stuff. They could have made this nicely distort before the digital got a chance to but I think it would mean losing a bit of the dynamic range and signal to noise ratio of the digital circuits. Oh well.

[@ankurshah233]

can we apply wav samples to this pads?

[@kiskadar69]

Yes, you can.

[@ankurshah233]

Ok can u send any link of this video

[@neisfernandafernandez948]

Cómo agosto para adartar una memoria dela grande Asia de 8 teclas

[@hairbear2705]

Steve: You wouldn't by any chance be the same Steven James that used to work in Soundwave?

[@guitarguitaruk]

Nick Waterson The very same! Well spotted ;)

[@StevenJamesPro]

Nick Waterson I am that Nick! Now here with guitarguitar ;)

[@jjlacey1970]

whhhhaaaaatttt ! no step sequencer ????

[@robertandarson5669]

NO SEQUENCER ?????? FUCK !!

[@nokjutsu8834]

RZA and Beatthang all over again...

[@brokemanmusic2587]

no tutorial on how to work this machine then I will not buy it

[@remycooreman6256]

can you record your voice with a microphone ?

[@JVJF7]

No only farts

[@sr7bbird]

bought one off these last summer used. if anyone is in the Lexington n.c area, I wii take $40 bucks for it happily!!

[@calbertstrong1354]

It was like ed was trying to KOBE! While finder drumming at the beginning But missed horribly! This was really bad

[@neisfernandafernandez948]

Porque esa micro molestano mucho se le va el sonido carato

[@alexriesenbeck]

just get some jack to jack cables and truncate using headphones in your demo video. perfect recipe for an awful video

[@ube-23s]

Is this a joke.? Does this play music? I think this is high bold pressure meter. I will buy one for my Grandmother, she is diabetic.

[@andrewhortoncomms]

4.54 let's take it away....lol

[@TheMadisonHang]

they say fake it till you make it he didn't even fake it, he didn't even make it i hope he still got paid. oh well.

[@sirgashmbe_nwa5397]

sounds life african music

[@cupomusic]

I really would like to buy this product for live looping during an acoustic live. BUT (JESUS) how can you NOT put the battery implementation in a portable device like that! TERRIBLE MISTAKE. AKAI WHAT THE FUCK

[@soylentgreen4812]

Can we record something via jack input and play it thru the jack output at the same time ?

[@soylentgreen4812]

I mean do we hear directly what we record ? :)

[@airfrankenstein]

Lu Cas No and it's a real disappointment and the main eason why i'm probably sending mine back.

[@soylentgreen4812]

I see... :/

[@airfrankenstein]

you can only hear once you've saved your recording

[@Elmer1953]

Something for the kids I guess lol

[@mrmryouyou1141]

I can mimic anyone n everyone . Now I'm going mpc. Yeah cheap toy, but I started with a cheap guitar. Make it sound like a day dream, then get good equipment make it sound like a nightmare come true. Don't bite off more than you can chew. It's too frustrating and discouraging . I've been building dexterity in my fingers for decades. One week playing a cheap mpc. I was ready to move on up to a better one. When before someone threw me on abelton push 2 n all this other junk it irritated me I ran away from it. Now I can understand it better. Once you start going cv and building effect chains exactly like people unknown to you made a lot of money with. You realize you Don't want to get locked in a contract till the day you die.

[@ltnationradio8348]

this guy had no Rhythm in his soul

[@hydorah]

Should really have got a musician to demo it. I expect he's listening to Miley Cyrus in those cans, He can't be listening to what he's doing, surely?

[@sinutubb]

A toy...

[@nickhaldin8674]

This is why I hate buying used gear. After a couple years of treating the machine the way he is, it’ll be completely destroyed.

[@BenNCM]

Worst timing I think I've ever seen. This guy playing is delusional.

[@oakiron6455]

lol!!

[@ube-23s]

I wasted my time.

[@mildheadwound]

It's garbage. It's not infinite length; only 60 mb per pad set. Also it's ONLY omni midi in and midi ch10 out!? Making it useless for sample playback because every sequenced track triggers it simultaneously! What were Akai even thinking?