Akai MPC Live (2017)

Name: Akai MPC Live
Brand: Akai

Standalone music production center with touchscreen, battery power, and internal processing for mobile beat-making.

Overview

The Akai MPC Live came out in 2017. It is a self-contained Music Production Centre built for portable, standalone use. Akai Professional paired the workflow of the classic MPC samplers with modern hardware: its own quad-core ARM processor and a 7-inch full-color multi-touch screen. It was the first wireless hardware/software-based MPC. It also marked Akai's return to standalone production hardware, more than a decade after the MPC5000. The front-panel layout is the same as the MPC Touch, with a flush-mounted screen and 16 pressure- and velocity-sensitive pads. It runs MPC 2.0 software internally and includes the MPC Pro Pack, bundled samples, instruments, and plugins. A rechargeable lithium-ion battery gives up to six hours of operation.

Specifications

Production years	Released in 2017
Dimensions	Width 410 mm, Depth 223 mm, Height 67.5 mm
Weight	2721.55 g
Display	7-inch full-color multi-touch screen
Pads	16 velocity- and pressure-sensitive pads
Controls	Four touch-capacitive Q-Link controls, clickable master encoder knob, 16-button step sequencer, clickable jog wheel
Audio I/O	Six TRS outputs (three stereo pairs), stereo input with switchable line-level TRS or phono inputs, 3.5mm headphone port
MIDI I/O	2 MIDI In, 2 MIDI Out (full-size ports)
USB	Two USB 3.0 host ports (Type-A), one USB device port (Type-B)
Connectivity	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Storage	16GB internal flash, SD card slot, internal bay for 2.5-inch SATA drive
Battery	Rechargeable lithium-ion, up to six hours life
Processor	Rockchip RK3288 quad-core ARM chip
Software	MPC 2.0 with Pro Pack, bundled samples, instruments, and plugins
Included	AC adapter, USB cable, quick start guide, PDF manual (English)
Color	Black
EAN	0694318020616

Design

The MPC Live has a rubber-topped metal chassis inside a tough metal case. It feels durable and premium. The touchscreen is capacitive and sits flush with the surface, unlike the recessed screen on the MPC Touch. The function buttons are solid rubber, which some users prefer over the hard plastic buttons on other models. The power switch on the back panel is noted as "loose and cheap-feeling." The unit supports class-compliant USB audio interfaces and acts as a USB hub in controller mode.

Context

Akai introduced the MPC Live alongside the MPC X in 2017, responding to renewed interest in self-contained music production tools. It was Akai's first standalone MPC since the MPC5000 in 2008, and it shifted the line toward mobile, wireless production. The MPC X focused on studio use, while the Live emphasized portability. It combined standalone operation with modern studio features like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and advanced sampling, and it began a new era in the MPC line. The platform has since evolved into a third generation.

Market

The Akai MPC Live launched at £799 / €977 / $1199. It gained a reputation for powerful standalone capabilities. Criticism focused on a complex workflow and the lack of a mic input. Some users reported reliability issues, and its size and weight were called cumbersome despite the portable design.