Brand
Akai, a Japanese company, made their biggest impact with the MPC series of samplers. The MPC revolutionised hip hop, R&B, and beat-driven music. Modern Akai still make powerful MPC units that combine standalone hardware with DAW integration. They also produce popular controllers like the MPK series. If sampling and beatmaking is your world, Akai’s legacy and present-day gear are second to none.
Category
Drum machines are electronic instruments designed to create and control rhythm, allowing you to programme beats, patterns and grooves with precision. They are widely used in electronic music, hip hop, pop and experimental styles, as well as for songwriting and practice. If you want tight, repeatable rhythms or creative control over percussion without a full drum kit, drum machines offer a powerful and flexible way to shape the rhythmic foundation of your music.
Samplers are instruments that record, manipulate and play back audio, allowing you to turn sounds into playable and rhythmic elements. Used for beats, textures, vocals and experimental sound design, they are central to many production and live performance workflows. If you enjoy building music from captured sounds and shaping them in creative ways, samplers offer a powerful and hands-on approach to making music.
Sequencers are tools used to record, arrange and play back musical notes, patterns and rhythms in a structured way. Commonly found in synths, drum machines and standalone units, they allow you to build evolving sequences, loop ideas and create complete compositions step by step. If you enjoy hands-on music creation and pattern-based workflows, sequencers offer a powerful way to turn ideas into finished tracks.
Tags
A drum machine is an electronic instrument designed to create and sequence rhythmic patterns and percussion sounds. It is used to program beats, build grooves, and perform rhythms with precise timing and hands-on control. For example, a drum machine might be used to create a repeating rhythm for a live set or to sketch the foundation of a track before adding melodic and harmonic elements.
New Gear is unused and in original condition, supplied as it leaves the manufacturer. It is chosen for guaranteed reliability, full functionality, and the assurance of manufacturer support. For example, buying new ensures access to the latest design revisions, included accessories, and official warranty coverage.
A sampler is an instrument that records, stores, and plays back audio recordings as playable sounds. It allows samples to be triggered, pitched, sliced, and processed, turning recorded material into musical elements. Samplers are widely used for rhythm creation, melodic parts, and sound design in both studio production and live performance.
A sequencer is a tool used to record, arrange, and play back musical events in a defined order. It allows notes, rhythms, and parameter changes to be programmed step by step or recorded in real time, creating structured patterns and loops. Sequencers are used to keep multiple instruments in sync, build evolving arrangements, and automate movement within a sound. For example, a sequencer might be used to create a repeating bass pattern while gradually changing filter or modulation values to add variation over time.
