Akai MPX16 (2010s)

Compact USB-powered sampler and MIDI drum controller with 16 velocity-sensitive pads, 64-voice polyphony, and 48MB sample memory.

Overview

The Akai Professional MPX16 is a portable sampler, sample player, and USB/MIDI drum controller. Akai announced it in 2014 at Musikmesse. It succeeds the MPX8 and is Akai’s smallest, lightest, and most affordable sampler as of 2015. It has 16 velocity-sensitive backlit pads with polyphonic aftertouch and a built-in stereo microphone above the LCD screen. Samples load from an SD or SDHC card. They also transfer over USB by drag and drop, but you need a file conversion utility for the import, and it has been reported to truncate sample tails to 128kb. The unit runs on 48MB of RAM, so up to 48MB of samples can sit in memory at once, in 16-bit stereo .wav format.

Specifications

Production Years	2010s (announced 2014)
Memory/RAM	48MB
Maximum Sample Memory	Up to 48MB of samples at one time
Polyphony	64 voices
Sampling Resolution	16-bit
Sample Format	.wav
Audio Format	16-bit stereo audio files
Filter	Resonant 24dB low-pass filter per pad
Audio Connections	Stereo inputs and outputs (quarter-inch jacks), headphone socket (quarter-inch jack)
MIDI Ports	MIDI IN, MIDI OUT, USB MIDI
USB Port	Yes, carries power
Storage	SD or SDHC card slot
Built-in Microphone	Built-in stereo mic above LCD screen
Pads	16 velocity-sensitive backlit pads
Pad Aftertouch	Polyphonic aftertouch
Effect	Reverb (no adjustable parameters)
Power Supply	USB or external power supply
Display	Blue backlit screen, white on blue text
Dimensions	29 x 14.5 cm
Colour	Black, Red

Design

The MPX16 has a red and black plastic shell with a textured chassis and a glossy control panel. Most editing goes through a 4x5 matrix, reached with a single button and four encoders labeled A-D. A value encoder is the primary control. The pads light amber, green, or red to show sample assignment, playback, or edit mode. The display shows kit selection and panning information. The materials are high quality and the unit feels tough enough for transport. Even so, the D/A stage is described as "really cheap," and the pots have "a little wobble," though the dials feel sturdy.

Context

The MPX16 succeeds the Akai MPX8. At its 2014 announcement, Akai positioned it as their most compact and affordable sampler. It was designed for live sample triggering and capturing ideas on the fly, with portability and USB workflows as the focus.

Market

As of April 2, 2026, the used market price for the MPX16 is $145.35. Common issues include flawed sample playback that variably cuts off the first 1-2ms of transients, and a file conversion utility that truncates sample tails. Loading a 32MB WAV file takes 1 minute 48 seconds, with a constant whine from the USB power draw. Some users report the D/A converter sounding worse than that of a $20 Chinese MP3 player.

eBay Listings

Akai MPX16 vintage synth equipment - eBay listing photo 1

Excellent AKAI MPX16 Sampler Pad Controller Tested Working J

$698

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