We have not seen any official announcement on this yet, but it looks like Akia Pro will be introducing the MPC Sample – a new, portable music production center – March 24th, 2026.
There have been numerous leaks about the MPC Sample, but the most humorous was shared by reddit user fuxicles, who ordered some gear from Guitar Center, and it was shipped in a repurposed Akai Pro MCP Sample shipping box, stamped with the message, “Display on/after March 24, 2026 – Not before”:
Now Akai Pro has even shared a preview:
Official details are to come, but it’s clear that the MPC Sample is designed to compete in the same space as the Teenage Engineering EP–133 KO II. But the MPC Sample will build on four decades of MPC evolution.
The MPC Sample is expected to feature the classic MPC workflow, with sampling and effects built in. It is designed to be portable and run on battery power – probably a built-in lithium-ion battery.
An internal mic and speaker will let you work with it anywhere, and USB-C connectivity will let you integrate it into your studio.
Pricing is expected to be around $399 USD.
Will the Akai Pro MPC Sample be a Teenage Engineering EP–133 KO II killer? Share your thoughts in the comments!
This looks really good. If you look at the shift functions under the pads, it looks like it’s going to be extremely capable. I think this could be more of a 404 killer.
I think it looks adorable in a really cool way. And I think it will complement my 404 just perfectly
Same here lol
Nah not a 404 killer… Was thinking if using it with my 404 too.
I just hope they add vintage modes like MPC60 mode and more to dirty up the drums or add punch. If they do that, this little machine will be a beast.
It doesn’t look like it has as many ports on the back in this picture as I have seen in other pictures.
You can see a recess where the jacks are hiding
In this case, the C stands for Cutie. With a wrist rest too? For when i get tired of making beats all day? Precious lil thing
If the picture is “The Statement” as what to expect, then when you resurrect The AKAI MPC 60 II Roger Lynn Edition for 2026, you bring back a most certain vibe/sound that cannot be duplicated by any other piece of gear since its creation up to now.
Anyone that has had one and knew how to use it knows perfectly well what I am talking about.
So many classic albums were made by Legendary Producers using the 60 II it is outright ridiculous.
From Tribe Called Quest all the way to Babyface and back to even Dr. Dre.
All I can say is watch how many Hit Records are churned out .
The 2nd coming of the MPC60II os offically about to put The SHIT back in The Game
Perfect timing! I was just looking at the TE EP-133 KO II. This may be my first MPC.
This is the comment I was waiting for. As an owner of the TE KO-II (which I really enjoy!), I feel like this MPC Sample is in that same market space. Not sure if it’s a straight “apples to apples” comparison where one is any better or worse as perhaps each have features the other could benefit from. I also noticed how Akai placed those orange and dark grey buttons and fader location on the Sample as sort of a subtle wink towards the KO-II.
This one beats the KO in a total Knock Out. It’s not even funny. The display, the functionality, it’s just not even a question.
The box is much bigger than the product it contained. Was that box holding ALL the MPC Samples Guitar Center were getting?
The box says “four units”.
yes. look at the side of the box: “QTY: 4 UNITS”
Imagine Mark 2 of this having eight audio outputs. WOW.
This looks like a very accessible sampler .
I love my k.o. II, but I might get one of these instead of a second k.o o II
I think the bigger question is if the niche desktop / home user sampler space can support yet another entry – and Akai is competing against it’s own One and Key 37 products to an extent within this price range/ market segment. TE and Roland both have well established user bases and ecosystems for their products – and more importantly have clearly established what their competitive products are and are not. The Akai Sample is entering this space with cosmetics that call out Akai’s legacy professional MPC line (which I think is creating some big expectations), but the prerelease info so far isn’t clear on the OS features or how much of the current MPC expansion, air effects, and plug in library will be compatible with this unit.
I don’t think this MPC Sample will have any MPC expansions or plugins etc. like the rest of the MPC line.
It will be truly stand alone.
That is what will differ it from the rest of the line up.
Having watched the Loopop video end to end… this thing smokes the KO II. And is just as good as the 404. (And, easier to use than the 404, which has more button combos.) Akai really seems to have nailed the UI on this.
what if… the hand rest was an assignable ribbon controller ? …
@Synthead
one typo “Akia Pro” in the opening sentence.
Shame that Korg Kronos even in 2026. is capable of reading Akai S legacy sample format.
While Akai completely abandoned such compatibility,
regardless of MCP ambition or model size.