The most powerful MPC from AKAI is here. Watch this overview of the new AKAI MPC XL from Andy Mac.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfEObnwQgjA


Here is how the MPC XL compares to the previous generation MPC X and the MPC Live 3.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnzRVFe3RsU


Here is another demo by Andy Mac showing how to build tracks.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXFEAyaeKjc


The MPC XL is a large console measuring 21.4” x 19.2” featuring a 10.1” Touch Screen, 16 Expressive MPCe Pads, and 16 Q-Link Knobs with OLED displays arranged horizontally over 16 RGB function buttons.


https://www.akaipro.com/mpc-xl/


If you ever wanted to take a dive deep into the world of beat music, this $2899 beast does it all.

That's a hefty chunk of change when you can do it all in software with a launchpad controller nowadays..!

I'm having some fun doing beats with Koala Sampler on an iPad Pro. $4.99 app, lol 🤣

Wow Diki!

Thanks for introducing me to the Koala Sampler iOS App. I downloaded this app on my iPad Pro and it opened this Tutorial Video that explains the basic functions:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2p4qdJhRYI


I couldn’t believe how easy it is to record your own drum SAMPLES just using your voice. One can string these samples into a SEQUENCE, instantly add effects to these sequences while in PERFORM mode and finally RECORD the entire song.

It is the simplicity of operation that makes this app so enticing. This is a great tool for learning the basics of creating beat based music.

The developer of this app has many more helpful tutorials on his YouTube Channel.


https://www.youtube.com/@elfaudio


I see that this works on Android devices as well.


https://www.koalasampler.com/


I could see why such apps have such a wide appeal amongst the younger crowd. There is zero learning curve. You could feel entertained within a matter of minutes.

The KOALA SAMPLER gives you a glimpse of the workflow that has popularized software sequencers like ABLETON LIVE and hardware sequencers like the AKAI MPC family.

The new flagship MPC XL may be out of reach for many, however the MPC ONE+ offers exceptional value for $629.


https://www.akaipro.com/mpc-one-plus/


Let’s face the hard truth. The era of Arranger Keyboards will probably end with our generation. The younger crowd does not want to spend 2 years learning how to read music, spend two more years studying music theory, learning chord progressions and developing playing skills.

Moreover, they do not have the money to buy a top of the line Arranger which costs more than a professional workstation.

The styles that come in the Arrangers do not excite the younger generation. The MPC ONE+ is more affordable and fulfills their immediate needs. If one has a laptop, then ABLETON LIVE 12 is the gateway to expressing their creativity.

Having played around the KOALA SAMPLER iOS App for the past few hours, I decided to expand the capabilities by downloading the ABLETON NOTE App.


https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ableton-note/id1633243177


I am impressed how much power Ableton has embedded into this App for a one-time payment of $6.99. The UI is wickedly clever that will appeal to everyone who has never tried a beat box.

The feature set has all the tools and functions to get you hooked into the world of beat music without ever having to be a musician. This is the perfect stepping stone to making someone graduate to ABLETON LIVE 12.

I see they are offering ABLETON LIVE 12 LITE for free with ABLETON NOTE with seamless integration.


https://www.ableton.com/en/note/


Being an ABLETON LIVE user, this iOS App on the iPad brings the essence of making beats to anyone musically inclined or curious.

Here are 5 Tutorials on the Ableton YouTube Channel:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smJZcWwJsOw&list=PLoh4MB-kbBmJ6Ne2RL5gjf7FOnDdFELNV

Don't tell Yamaha or Ketron that! Or Korg, for that matter. They still seem to be developing new or improved models. And how many kids got their first keyboard for Christmas this year? A low-end Yamaha or Casio which are, in fact, entry-level arrangers.

I agree that "peak Arranger" was probably circa 2001 and some of our most beloved brands are gone for good. However, for anyone with a little musical training or just musically curious, arrangers can create a lot of music and fun --on the fly-- with very little effort. Personally, I think Yamaha will be selling a Genos VIII thirty years from now!

edit: ...and Korg will finally get all of the bugs worked out of the Pa5X :-) BTW, the Suzuki Omnichord OM-108 which debuted this year is also an arranger with MIDI capabilities. It just doesn't have a piano keyboard. FWIW.