The MPC Sample is my new favorite portable beat maker

March 24, 2026 Terrence O’Brien

The MPC Sample, sitting on top of a collection of other small and battery-powered samplers.
Back to basics. | Image: Terrence O’Brien / The Verge

Akai MPC is one of the most storied names in music history. But over the last decade, it's strayed pretty far from its roots as a humble sampler. The modern MPCs run virtual synthesizers, have complex arrangement tools, and sport large touchscreens. They have more in common with your computer running a DAW than they do with the original MPC60. The MPC Sample is both a return to basics and Akai's triumphant foray into the growing market for portable, battery-powered, and affordable music gear.

The MPC Sample has everything you need to make beats right out of the box. There's a reasonably bright 2.4-inch color screen for editing samples and …

Read the full story at The Verge.

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