Akai Professional MPC XL Standalone Music Production Centre

The Akai Pro MPC XL elevates the legacy of the world’s most influential sampling drum machine: the MPC.

Designed for computer-free, music-making workflows, MPC XL is the pinnacle of standalone power. This studio centerpiece features ultra-responsive MPCe pads, a dedicated step sequencer with 16 function modes, 16 touch-responsive Q-Links with OLED displays, a next-gen 8-core processor, 16 GB RAM, a hands-on performance touch-strip, and one-to-one surface control buttons. Building on the flexible, performance-first features MPC users love, MPC XL offers advanced sequencing, clip launching, pro stem separation, high-quality time-stretching, and powerful I/O connectivity.

Seamlessly integrated with MPC3 OS, this all-in-one system can load up to 32 plugin instruments and 16 audio tracks, with support for up to 256 simultaneous voices, making it a studio-grade workhorse that’s perfect for today's fast-moving producers.

Features

• No computer required: standalone hardware with MPC3 OS for a streamlined workflow  

• Gen 2 8-core processor with 4x the processing power of previous MPCs  

• 16GB RAM for running multiple plugins simultaneously  

• 256GB internal SSD storage for saving projects, plug-in instruments, samples, and presets  

• MPCe pads with 3D-sensing technology brings a new level of expression to beatmaking and production: 4 quadrants per pad make it possible to morph, loop, layer, and control sounds and effects freely

• Assignable performance touch-strip for tactile control of Performance FX, note repeats, Channel faders, and more

• Step sequencer with 16 RGB function buttons 

• 16 Q-Link knobs with performance-control OLEDs for immediate visual feedback  

• XL Channel Command allows for quick access to mixing and recording parameters (including level, sends, and outputs) at the touch of a button—with a dedicated OLED display and encoder for parameter control and visual feedback

• One-to-one function buttons for immediate access to every feature

• 10.1” HD multi-gesture touchscreen   with tilt

• 2 XLR/TRS combo inputs with mic preamps and phantom power for crystal-clear recordings   

• 2 dedicated instrument inputs for recording guitars and keyboards  

• 8 separate line outputs for external routing and mixing  

• USB-C connectivity for 24 channels of audio I/O, 32 channels of MIDI IO, and easy connectivity to sample from smart devices 

• 8 stereo 1/8” CV/Gate outputs for a total of 16 CV outs

Technical Specifications

• Digital Audio System

• ADCs: 24-bit @ 44.1, 48, 88.2, or 96 kHz

• DACs: 24-bit @ 44.1, 48, 88.2, or 96 kHz

• Digital Signal Processing: 32-bit floating point

• Mic Inputs 1–2

(2) balanced XLR+1/4” (6.35 mm) TRS

• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (+0.19 / -0.16 dB)

• Dynamic Range: 109.8 dB (A-weighted)

• SNR: 109.3 dB (1 kHz, +4 dBu, A-weighted)

• THD+N: 0.001% (1 kHz, +4 dBu, -1 dBFS)

• Preamp EIN:

• -134 dBu (max gain, 40 Ω source, A-weighted)

• -129 dBu (max gain, 150 Ω source, unweighted)

• Maximum Input Level: +12.7 dBu

• Sensitivity: -45.5 dBu

• Gain Range: 58.2 dB

• Line Inputs 1–2

(2) balanced XLR+1/4” (6.35 mm) TRS

• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (+0.09 / -0.05 dB)

• Dynamic Range: 109.8 dB (A-weighted)

• SNR: 109.4 dB (1 kHz, +4 dBu, A-weighted)

• THD+N: 0.001% (1 kHz, +4 dBu, -1 dBFS)

• Maximum Input Level: +20.1 dBu

• Sensitivity: -9.6 dBu

• Gain Range: 29.7 dB

• Line Inputs 3–4

(2) balanced 1/4” (6.35 mm) TRS

• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (+0.09 / -0.05 dB)

• Dynamic Range: 110.8 dB (A-weighted)

• SNR: 109.7 dB (1 kHz, +4 dBu, A-weighted)

• THD+N: 0.001% (1 kHz, +4 dBu, -1 dBFS)

• Maximum Input Level: +20.3 dBu

• Sensitivity: -10.3 dBu

• Gain Range: 30.6 dB

• Instrument Inputs 1–2

(2) unbalanced 1/4” (6.35 mm) TS

• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (+0.15 / -0.05 dB)

• Dynamic Range: 111.0 dB (A-weighted)

• SNR: 109.6 dB (1 kHz, +0 dBu, A-weighted)

• THD+N: 0.0013% (1 kHz, +0 dBu, -1 dBFS)

• Maximum Input Level: +10.1 dBu

• Sensitivity: -19.6 dBu

• Gain Range: 29.7 dB

• Phono Inputs

(2) unbalanced RCA

• Dynamic Range: 103.3 dB (A-weighted, 65 mVrms @ 1 kHz, -1 dBFS, 20 Ω source)

• SNR: 97 dB (A-weighted, 4 mVrms @ 1 kHz, 20 Ω source)

• THD+N: 0.036% (1 kHz, -46 dBu, -1 dBFS)

• Maximum Input Level: 65 mVrms (1 kHz)

• Sensitivity: 2 mVrms (1 kHz)

• Main Outputs 1–2

(2) impedance-balanced 1/4” (6.35 mm) TRS

• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (+0.06 / -0.31 dB)

• Dynamic Range: 115.6 dB (A-weighted)

• THD+N: 0.003% (1 kHz, -1 dBFS)

• Maximum Output Level: +20.3 dBu

• Output Impedance: 100 Ω

• Line Outputs 3–8

(6) impedance-balanced 1/4” (6.35 mm) TRS

• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (+0.06 / -0.24 dB)

• Dynamic Range: 116.3 dB (A-weighted)

• THD+N: 0.005% (1 kHz, -1 dBFS)

• Maximum Output Level: +20.4 dBu

• Output Impedance: 100 Ω

• Headphone Outputs

• (1) 1/4” (6.35 mm) stereo headphone

• (1) 1/8” (3.5 mm) stereo headphone

• Dynamic Range: 100.6 dB (A-weighted)

• THD+N: 0.025% (1 kHz, -1 dBFS, 10 mW/channel into 32 Ω headphones)

• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (+0.06 / -0.31 dB)

• Maximum Power Delivered: 260 mW (<1% THD, 32 Ω headphones)

• Maximum Output Level: +20.4 dBu

• Output Impedance: 32 Ω

• Pads

• (16) velocity- and pressure-sensitive pads with 3D sensing

• (8) banks (selectable via Pad Bank buttons)

• Knobs

• (17) 360° touch-sensitive Q-Link knobs

• (1) 360° encoder with push

• (7) 270° knobs (gain, mix, level)

• Buttons

• (105) dedicated buttons

• (36) single-color LED

• (43) dual-color LED

• (1) dual color + red

• (17) RGB LED

• (8) unlit

• Displays

• (1) 1280×800 full-color, optically bonded, multi-touch display (10.1” / 256.5 mm)

• (17) monochrome 128×32 OLED displays

• CPU/Memory/Storage

• CPU: 8-core processor

• Memory: 16 GB

• Storage: 256 GB internal NVMe SSD + SATA expansion bay

• Connections

• Physical

• (2) 1/4” (6.35 mm) combo XLR/TRS inputs (stereo pair)

• (2) 1/4” (6.35 mm) TRS line inputs (stereo pair)

• (2) RCA phono inputs (stereo pair)

• (2) 1/4” (6.35 mm) instrument inputs

• (2) 1/4” (6.35 mm) TS footswitch inputs

• (8) 1/4” (6.35 mm) TRS outputs (4 stereo pairs)

• (1) 1/4” (6.35 mm) stereo headphone output

• (1) 1/8” (3.5 mm) stereo headphone output

• (4) 5-pin MIDI outputs

• (2) 5-pin MIDI inputs

• (8) stereo 1/8” (3.5 mm) CV/Gate outputs

• (1) USB Type-C port

• (3) USB Type-A ports

• (1) SD card slot

• (1) power adapter input

• (1) drive bay for 2.5” SATA drive

• Wireless

• Wi-Fi

• Bluetooth

• Power

• 19 V, 3.42 A, center-positive (adapter included)

• Dimensions (Display Flat)

• 21.4” × 19.2” × 3.7” (543 × 488 × 94 mm)

• Weight

• 15.87 lbs / 7.2 kg