Akai MPC2000 (MIDI Production Center)

Here is a detailed description of the AKAI MPC2000’s built in sampler.

Here is a detailed description of the AKAI MPC2000’s built in sequencer.

Then to Now Akai is now known for their range of samplers which still have major part in most production studios around the globe. And it is no surprise that it was them that produced the world's first sampler and sequence integrated rhythm machine with such a flexibility in sampling. It was back in later '80s that Akai produced the first Midi Production Center MPC60 in collaboration with Roger Linn, one of the originators of what is now called Drum machines. With his expertise of producing Linn Drum series Combination of sequences and keyboards, and sound modules were becoming popular at the time as the MIDI standard was coming of age.

MPC was designed to give us musicians the technology in one neat box that doesn't need qualified electricians around it to just keep on working. Surely he was popular along producers and studio technicians whose main concern is practicality. His name also become a mode in many hip hop producers and there are still many people coming into studio with just 2 turn tables and a MPC.

MPC60 was then followed by MPC60mk2 which incorporated a SCSI port and more memory, and It was superseded by the MPC3000 of which design was based on the 16 bit sampler S3000, which was already becoming popular at the time. (But there are still many people using MPC60s for the 'lo-fi' sound quality coming out of its 12 bit sampling engine. And surely the MPC sequencer was already such an advanced system.

However, the MPC3000 was surely a great machine, but its cost (it was probably the most expensive rhythm machine at the time, though much cheaper than other sampler co-operated systems) prohibited the use of those who are not making music commercially. At the same time, Akai's normal sampler (?) division was finishing the designs of S-XL range and the S2000 which in simple terms had higher specification with a modest price tag, which rang the bell of their MPC division. In fact MPC2000 has almost the same sound engine as that of S2000.