Akai MPC Renaissance connects to your computer

When Native Instruments designed Maschine they obviously took a lot of inspiration from Akai and their MPC-lineup. Now it seems like Akai looks to Native Instruments and Maschine with the release of MPC Renaissance.

I find it a little bit confusing regarding what it can actually do but let’s take a look at the specs from the Akai website, starting with the hardware itself:

MPC RENAISSANCE HARDWARE

* Fuses legendary MPC production with the processing power of your computer
* Vintage Mode changes output sound character to MPC3000, MPC60 and more
* 16 backlit genuine MPC pads, 16 Q-Link controls, and adjustable backlit LCD screen
* Classic MPC Note Repeat, MPC Swing and MPC transport controls
* MPC SOFTWARE for Mac or PC with 64-track sequencing capability
* Two XLR-1/4” combo inputs and dedicated turntable input
* Four-channel US B 2.0 audio interface and two-port US B 2.0 hub built in
* Up to eight pad banks?more than any other MPC ever
* Two MIDI inputs and four MIDI outputs
* Stereo 1/4” out, stereo assignable mix 1/4” out & S/PDIF I/O

It appears to be a controller and an audio interface but to me it’s a bit unclear if you can use it standalone as a regular MPC or not. And here’s the software details:

MPC SOFTWARE

* 64-track sequencing capability
* Massive 6GB+ sound library, including all of the sounds of the classic MPC3000
* Instant mapping and real-time adjustment of VST plug-ins
* Record each track as an MPC drum program, Keygroup program or VST plug-in
* Runs standalone and as VST, AU or RTAS plug-in
* Supports WAV, MP3, AIFF, REX and SND
* Supports samples and sequences from any MPC ever made
* Mac and PC-compatible

While I wouldn’t call a 6GB library “massive” by any stretch of the imagination I assume there’s no problem loading other stuff in there. Note that the software is capable at running as an RTAS plugin, hopefully an AAX version will show up sooner rather than later.

Maschine is a wicked unit, much nicer to use than I could ever have imagined. If MPC Renaissance can do what Maschine does software-wise but still kickass standalone like a regular MPC it has all the potential to be a winner. If it’s “just” a controller with an interface I have to say that I’m a bit disappointed, even though I’m sure it would fit a bunch of hiphopers really well.

We’ll see…

Also be on the lookout for MPC Studio, a “slimline music production controller” and MPC Fly for iPad 2 to be announced soon.