Akai MPC Key 61
The first MPC with a built-in keyboard, combining a 61-note synth-action keybed with a full standalone production workstation.
Overview
The Akai MPC Key 61 is a standalone sampling production workstation, synthesizer, and sequencer developed by Akai Professional. It is the first MPC model to feature a built-in keyboard, positioning it as a flagship instrument with expanded memory and integrated synth engines. Designed for keyboard players, live performers, and synth composers, it runs MPC OS (version 2.11 referenced) and supports 128 MIDI tracks and 8 audio tracks per project. The unit includes 25 onboard plugin instrument engines with over 6000 presets and over 100 effects, such as the Flavor effect module and AIR Vocal Suite. It also features vintage synth emulations including ARP Odyssey, Solina String Ensemble, Mellotron, and more.
Specifications
| Keyboard | 61-note semi-weighted keybed with aftertouch |
| Pads | 16 velocity- and pressure-sensitive RGB MPC pads; 8 banks via Pad Bank buttons |
| Screen | 7-inch full-color multi-touch LED-backlit display |
| Processor | Quad-core ARM processor |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Storage | 32 GB internal storage (13 GB occupied by pre-installed content), expandable via SATA SSD |
| Audio Inputs | 2 XLR+1/4” combo jack inputs with microphone preamps and +48v phantom power |
| Audio Outputs | 4 discrete 1/4” TRS outputs (2 stereo pairs); 1 stereo headphone output |
| MIDI/CV/Gate | MIDI In/Out/Thru; 8 assignable 1/8” CV/Gate outputs |
| USB/Ethernet | 2 USB-A ports; 1 USB-B port; Ethernet port; onboard Wi-Fi/Bluetooth |
| Pedal Inputs | Three 1/4” TRS jacks (Sustain, assignable footswitch, expression) |
| Connectivity | SATA storage bay; 2 Line/Instrument switches; +48v Phantom Power switch |
| Controllers | Pitch bend and modulation wheels; 1 Touch Strip (5.5" multi-function capacitive controller); 4 touch-sensitive Q-Link knobs; 1 data wheel; 44 dedicated-function buttons |
| Audio Interface | Onboard 24-bit audio interface with 2 high-end preamps |
| Bundled Software | MPC2 desktop DAW for Mac and PC |
| Dimensions | 38.8” x 12.3” x 3.8” / 986 x 313 x 96.7 mm |
| Power | Auto-switching internal power supply (100–240V) via IEC cable |
Design
The MPC Key 61 features solid plastic construction with a raked rear section housing the screen and controls, placing the keyboard and performance wheels at the front. The 7-inch multi-touch display supports gestures like pinch zooming and hosts new software views including a graphical sound browser grid and Key Ranges view for splits and layers. The Touch Strip serves as a note repeat speed selector, encoder mirror, and dedicated controller for Touch FX. The pads are reported as high quality and match those on the MPC One. The semi-weighted synth-action keys include aftertouch and a transpose function with octave up/down buttons and indicator lights.
Context
The MPC Key 61 is positioned as an alternative to high-end workstations like the Korg Nautilus and Yamaha Montage. It builds on over 30 years of Akai MPC sampling and sequencing history and is considered the new flagship in the MPC family due to its 4 GB RAM—double that of other contemporary hardware MPCs at launch. It shares the 7-inch multi-touch display with the MPC Live II and MPC One, and its Touch Strip design is inspired by the MPC Studio. The Akai Professional division, founded around 1980 and acquired by inMusic Brands in 2005, designed the unit to integrate classic MPC workflow with modern synth and performance features.
Market
The current market price for the MPC Key 61 is $1,499.00, with demo models available for $1,209.00. It has received a 4.5/5.0 reviewer rating and 5 out of 5 stars from six users on zZounds. Reviewers describe it as a complete, physically impressive instrument that changed their relationship with MPCs, praising the latency-free pads, powerful low-end from Fabric sounds, and the "brilliant" Flavor effect. Users report it is great for sketching ideas away from a computer and fun for live use, though some note challenges with DAW integration, sample editing, time stretching, and potential sync latency. A reported issue includes keys failing to wake the screen from standby, and transposed notes can be resolved by resetting transpose with the Octave up/down buttons.
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