Akai Professional MPC One+ Standalone Drum Machine, Beat Maker and MIDI Controller with WiFi, Bluetooth, Drum Pads, Synth Plug-ins, Touchscreen, and Native Instruments Integration

I know drum machines and DAWs pretty well, but I am songwriter, guitarist, bassist, and singer, not so much into pure electronic dance music (techno, house,...). But I love Kraftwerk, New Order, ..., Depeche Mode, which was the reason to buy this instead of a standalone drum machine (to sprinkle in sequencer and keyboard support). This is an excellent and very powerful standalone version of a DAW/Midi controller/Sequencer/sampler, and goes far beyond a drum machine (while covering it more than sufficiently). The sound quality and number of features is impressive, and one realizes quickly that Akai really understands what musicians need and could use (even more exotic functions). I was positively shocked that one for instance can add to each drum sound or sample up to four independent effects (from a great selection). Once knowing how to find your way around, it is so much faster than working on a computer. The ease of use becomes greater and greater thanks to the multitude of ways/combinations of using the touch screens, buttons, and dials. But only if one is familiar with terminologies and the tasks involved, which takes a while - since there are so many ways to accomplish a task. A few terms are unique and unusual when comparing to the usual DAW industry terms, but it's not a big deal. If you buy this as a beginner, this technology requires in general some intense learning, so do not expect that much can be done 'plug-n-play' unless one is a quick learner and understands the used terms quickly. Tutorials on Akai and Youtube are plentiful, and many are very good. Unfortunately, the user interface on many videos is different from mine, maybe since I am using an updated version of the software, so this complicated things a bit for me until I played with the menu and features. Here two little concerns: 1) Sampler and sound editors are included that can sample up to 20 min. So, in theory, one could write an entire song with bass, guitar, vocals as samples/tracks, and then arrange a song, but I frankly haven't seen any tutorials on this. Probably since mixing/mastering is still best done with a DAW using plugins and VSTs that are specialized and more powerful. I assume it is possible to actually do an entire song, and the memory/processor powers should in theory be sufficient to do so. But also see my 2nd point. 2) The preloaded samples, instruments, and sounds are mostly for modern and 100% electronic music. There are only a few complete (acoustic) drum kits preloaded (or classics like TR808, TR909). But pages over pages dance/house/hip hop/... kits with 6-7 drum sounds (1-2 kicks, 1-2 snares, 1 handclap, open/closed hihat, maybe 1-2 toms or a cymbal) and 8+ samples of some synthesizer sounds, vocal bits as heard on rave parties, etc. So, Akai targeted a certain clientele in my opinion, and somehow tried to 'lure' people who like to copy/make some dance music with a few clicks of a button. This is not meant to be critical, but the machine can do so much more. It for instance could easily double as a live recording device out of the mixer, or for rehearsal recordings. I definitely plan to use it for songwriting and publishing. I know that I will have to import a few more drum kits, and find a few more instruments to cover my style of music, which is alternative e-rock/e-pop based on early 80ies sounds.

Best machine ever, I bought this for my 10yr and he picked it up pretty quick. Lots of fun

Akai is top notch as you probably already know. This one is mobile if you get a battery and additional external storage. There are YouTube videos on this set up. Otherwise it is a high quality unit to compliment your studio for any level.

Worth way more than it cost.

This thing is really good at getting your beats and ideas down. Very responsive, and fast. Easy enough to record a sample, or import one, and chop it up, slow it down, whatever you need to do with it. I am still learning my way around it, but it is very intuitive to use. People say that it is a daw in a box, and it is that, and more. It’s just got a different workflow compared to the daw’s I have used in the past, but not very difficult to learn. I have yet to try and piece together a full song on it, but I will update my review if need be. If you’re on the fence definitely get one. They are great.

The best among any other stand alone machine. By far.

Product arrived with open box but still in nearly perfect condition. I was disappointed with that especially when buying a new item but customer service was able to help. A lot of fun to use and plenty of sounds included with it. Pretty easy to learn how to do everything and self explanatory.

unit was fine but was used. already had user name entered and trial on one plugin had expired. did a factory reset but still couldn't use plugin because serial number was registered.

Reçu rapidement... Livré devant ma porte avec le code demandé par le livreur.( Livraison sérieuse). Le colis est en bonne état,pas de signe de mauvaise manipulation. Et l'article fonctionne a merveille.

Me encanta !!! más fiable que un ordenador para llevartela en los directos, aunque para componer sigo utilizando el Logic Pro para llevarte tus secuencias con la banda es una maravilla, 100% recomendado, ahh!! los instrumentos virtuales y efectos de muy buena calidad,

Perfeito para quem busca produção musical.

I bought an MPC ONE+ after years of dabbling around with an NI Maschine MK2 and a Roland TR-8S. Both have good and bad points, but I'm not here to review them. Prior to buying the MPC ONE, I also tried moving forward with a Novation Circuit Rhythm and that was a total disaster. I packaged it up after 2 days and filed a return with no regret. They have no idea what they're doing, but again, I'm not here to review that (haha, I actually did review it elsewhere on Amazon, feel free to search for that review). I'll start by saying this: the MPC ONE is an absolute BEAST. It is everything I've ever dreamed of when it comes to a standalone "DAWless" do everything machine. Of course the machine itself is essentially a DAW, but since I don't need my aging laptop then I'm happy. I'll begin by saying the bad points, then I'll mention a few of to the good ones (there's way too many to list). First, I was not impressed that a nearly 100,000yen machine doesn't even come with an instruction manual. It did include a "quick start" guide, which was MUCH MORE than what the Circuit Rhythm came with (a postcard with a QR code), but that's not typical for Japanese products. Now I know the PDF manual is 532 pages, but scrolling through it is so terrible when you're just starting with this device. The printed manual should have been an option - I would have gladly paid extra for it. Or at least they could provide an abridged printed manual similar to what Roland does (although the Roland manuals are terrible so I don't think that's a good example). Next, the power supply - or rather, the power brick - is huge and so totally un-necessary in 2024. The voltage input on the ONE+ is DC 12V barrel center-positive, it should have been USB-C 12V. Well in my case I ended up buying a 12V USB-C PD to 5.5x2.1mm barrel PD trigger cable. It costs about 1000yen here on Amazon and works perfectly with a USB 3.0 PD compliant charger (12V/3A). Now I can use the MPC ONE+ with a portable battery or any AC/DC USB-C power adapter. After a few weeks it still works fine. I guess that's a big advantage over the MPC ONE (not plus) which requires a wacky 19V. The next issue that bothers me is the tiny pads (they are much smaller than other MPCs), and the crappy plastic knobs. The stock knobs have grooves and are flanged at the bottom so they are somewhat easy to operate, but they just don't look or feel good. If you have big hands (I don't), you probably won't enjoy turning them because they're so small. I quickly replaced them with some knobs I found at Marutsu, and they look and feel soooo much better. The final issue I have with this MPC ONE+ is the sound of the buttons, like the REC, PLAY, UNDO, etc.. they are so loud! What is this, 1988? I really wish they weren't so clicky and clacky, I just can't use it while the kids are sleeping. I know other MPCs have nice smooth/silent buttons, and they really should have done that with this instead of trying to keep a retro feel. As you can see, pretty much all my complaints are aesthetic. From my experience with other machines in this category, the MPC ONE+ is just so incredibly amazing. If you forget the nitpicking I made early, there's just no other reason someone wouldn't like this. The interface is extremely simple to use, so even if you have no idea what you're doing, you can start using it right away and do really cool things. You don't "need" to read a manual (although I highly recommend it, along with the "MPC B*ble" by Andy Avgousti). I love that I can sample directly into it (unlike the TR-8S), I love that I can timestretch and pitch adjust and do a whole bunch of things to my samples and get actual visual feedback (unlike on the Circuit Rhythm which is a joke in that department). I love that I can basically create an entire song on that one machine without "needing" to worry about it crashing, or an update popping up on my screen, or any other issues that computers carry with them. I can use it while idling in car and hook it up to my Korg Volca with ease. It has WiFi which is extremely useful for updating the firmware and downloading plugins. Did I mention I was given a choice of a free plugin and I chose Jura, which costs like 18,000yen or something! I also purchased the Stems plugin for like 1000yen but that's a flop on the standalone version - although I heard it works really well in controller mode (with a computer, sigh). Hopefully they'll fix that in the future, it's not super necessary anyways and didn't cost much. Earlier I mentioned the MPC ONE+ is a beast, and I'm not even joking. The amount of features and options and included sounds and samples etc is just insane. I personally still love creating drum beats on the TR-8S, but now I can sync it perfectly with the MPC ONE and just sample or record my tracks onto the MPC ONE and continue without the TR-8S, at least until I need another drum beat. Even better, the TR-8S works perfectly as a MIDI controller when plugged into the MPC ONE, so I can use its faders and knobs to control the mixer - which makes mixing sooo much easier as well. I love that I can hook up my audio interface to the MPC ONE and just use those inputs and outputs instead of the builtin ones (note: when doing that, the inputs/outputs, even the master volume and record volume are disabled, but not the CV/MIDI IN/OUT thankfully). I do wish it had more I/O but I guess I could have gotten an MPC X or something for more, but then it's not really portable so.. yeah this is great. Honestly if you're considering between this, a Maschine+, or some other standalone "DAWless" all-in-one machine, you really can't go wrong with an AKAI MPC ONE+. The Maschine+ is much more expensive and I absolutely hate all of NI's software, so that's something to consider. I was also burned badly by the "just pay us to upgrade Maschine 1.8 to Maschine 2.0" fiasco so I gave up on them. The Novation Circuit Rhythm is kind of like a kids toy except to use it you need to MEMORIZE a bunch of color combinations and codes and/or do everything blindly (by ear) because the device is just so poorly designed (by designers, not musicians). If you're just getting started with music, or a seasoned vet, I can pretty much guarantee this thing will blow your mind. I think it's priced just right, and despite the minor annoyances I listed above (things which I wish they would improve), I still think it was absolutely worth every penny. If you're still undecided between the plus or non-wifi version, just remember the ONE+ runs on 12V instead of 19V, and it's red. Just those two things make it so much better. As a final note, don't ask me about removing the plastic screen protector (in my photo). I'm still waiting for my glass film protector and carrying case to arrive haha.

Amazing product. Using for live playing in bhajan