About Akai

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Akai is a Japanese company best known for its influential role in the development of music production equipment, particularly in the realms of sampling and beat-making. Founded in 1929, Akai entered the world of electronic musical instruments in the 1980s with its S-series of digital samplers, which became industry standards. However, Akai truly made its mark with the launch of the MPC (Music Production Center) series, designed in collaboration with Roger Linn. The MPC series revolutionized the music industry by providing a powerful, standalone hardware sampler and sequencer, allowing artists to sample, chop, and arrange beats in a tactile and intuitive way. The MPC’s pads, swing, and workflow played a major role in shaping genres like hip-hop, electronic, and pop music.

Over the years, Akai has expanded its product line to include MIDI controllers like the popular MPK series, performance-oriented tools like the APC (Ableton Performance Controller) series, and standalone units like the MPC Live and MPC X, which integrate modern features such as touchscreen control and DAW-like functionality. The company’s focus on innovation and adaptability has kept Akai at the forefront of music production technology, making its equipment a go-to choice for producers, DJs, and performers worldwide. Akai remains synonymous with sampling and beat-making, continuing to release products that cater to both traditional beatmakers and modern producers alike.

AKAI Professional MPX8 – Portable Sample Pad Controller with 8 Performance-Ready Velocity-Sensitive Pads, MIDI Connectivity & On-Board SD Card Slot, black

£89.99 £84.70

Sample playback – Load and playback virtually any mono or stereo sample via standard SD or SDHC card Finger drumming essentials – Eight backlit velocity and pressure sensitive pads, ideal for triggering drum sounds, melodies, basslines and more Contr… read more

AKAI Professional LPD8 – USB MIDI Controller with 8 Responsive MPC Drum Pads for Mac and PC, 8 Assignable Knobs and Music Production Software

£39.99

Beat Maker Essential – 33cm pad controller for music production with 8 RGB-backlit responsive MPC drum pads same as MPC X for triggering samples, loops, virtual instruments, and more Hands-On Control – 8 assignable Q-Link knobs for seamless mapping t… read more

AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3 – 25 Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with 8 Backlit Drum Pads, 8 Knobs and Music Production Software Included

£84.99 £79.00

Music Production and Beat Maker Essential – USB powered MIDI controller with 25 mini MIDI keyboard velocity-sensitive keys for studio production, virtual synthesiser control and beat production Total Control of your Production – Innovative 4-way thum… read more

AKAI Professional APC Mini MK2 – USB MIDI Pad Controller for Clip Launching with Ableton Live Lite, 64 RGB Pads, Drum and Note Mode and MIDI Mixer

£84.99 £77.00

Full control — Ableton Live clip-launching MIDI controller, perfect for creative looping, mixing, home studio, and live performance. Connect with Ableton Live and control your studio accessories Ableton Live Lite included — an industry-leading DAW fo… read more

AKAI Professional MPK Mini Plus – 37 mini Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with 8 MPC Pads, Sequencer, MIDI/CV/Gate I/O, and Music Production Software

£139.99 £125.00

Full Creative Control – A dynamic 37-Key MPK Mini keybed for 3 full octaves of melodic and harmonic performance. Easily connect to your DAW or your studio equipment with the USB-powered MIDI Controller Advanced Connectivity – Connect to different sou… read more

Controller

This product functions as a MIDI controller, designed to give you hands-on control over your digital audio workstation (DAW) and virtual instruments. With features like velocity-sensitive keys, customisable pads, knobs, and sliders, this controller allows for expressive performance and precise control, making it a versatile tool for studio production or live performances.

Midi

MIDI, which stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, is a technical standard that enables electronic musical instruments, computers, and other devices to communicate with each other. It allows for the transmission of musical data such as note messages, control signals, and synchronization commands between compatible devices. MIDI data does not contain actual audio; instead, it contains instructions for generating sound, controlling parameters, and sequencing musical events. This versatile protocol has revolutionized music production by facilitating seamless integration between different hardware and software components, enabling musicians, producers, and composers to create, manipulate, and perform music with unprecedented flexibility and precision

New

This product is brand new, unused, and in its original packaging. It has never been opened or used, ensuring you receive it in pristine, factory-sealed condition, just as originally manufactured.

It is ideal for those who want the assurance of a fresh start with their gear.

Professional

A **professional synthesizer** is a high-quality instrument designed to meet the demanding needs of musicians, producers, and sound designers in professional settings. These synthesizers offer advanced features, robust build quality, and versatile sound engines capable of creating a vast array of tones. Professional synths typically include comprehensive modulation options, multiple oscillators, and high-quality effects, allowing users to shape and refine their sounds with precision. They often have premium components such as velocity-sensitive, aftertouch-enabled keyboards, durable encoders, and high-resolution screens for detailed editing. Brands like Nord, Moog, Roland, and Korg are known for producing professional-grade synthesizers that are trusted in live performance, studio recording, and sound design for films and games.

These synthesizers often come with extensive connectivity options, including MIDI, USB, and audio outputs, to integrate seamlessly into complex setups. Additionally, professional synths provide a range of synthesis methods—such as subtractive, FM, wavetable, granular, and physical modeling—offering musicians and producers the flexibility to explore various soundscapes. Their sound engines are designed to deliver rich and expressive tones, with deep control over parameters, making them suitable for complex arrangements or performances. Essentially, a professional synth is built for reliability, expressiveness, and adaptability, catering to those who need top-tier sound and performance capabilities in their creative work.

Sampler

A sampler is an electronic musical instrument or device used to record, manipulate, and playback audio samples. These samples can be recordings of real instruments, vocals, or any other sound source. Samplers typically allow users to trigger and manipulate these samples in various ways, such as adjusting pitch, tempo, and volume, as well as applying effects like reverb or distortion. They are widely used in music production, allowing musicians, producers, and DJs to create original compositions, remix existing tracks, and add depth and texture to their music. Samplers come in various forms, ranging from dedicated hardware units to software plugins that run on computers or digital audio workstations (DAWs), offering a versatile and powerful tool for sonic experimentation and creativity.