NAMM 2013: New Akai MPX8 Sample Pad Controller & MAX25

"MPX8
SD Sample Pad Controller

Add sound samples via standard SD card (sold separately)
8 velocity-sensitive and pressure-sensitive pads
Drag-and-drop sample editor for Mac and PC included
Built-in library of popular sounds, samples, and bumps
Tune, add reverb, save sample sets for easy recall
USB MIDI plus standard MIDI inputs and outputs
1/8” headphone output and balanced 1/4” outputs"

"MAX25
Compact USB/MIDI/CV Keyboard Controller

25 semi-weighted keys with aftertouch, 4 LED touch faders
Included AkaiConnect software automatically maps to VSTs
8 MPC pads, MPC Note Repeat, and MPC Swing
4 pad banks, 4 fader banks: 64 assignable pads, faders, and buttons
Step sequencer and expanded arpeggiator
CV & Gate outputs (1V/Oct), Mackie Control® and HUI® modes"

"AKAI PROFESSIONAL ANNOUNCES MAX25 KEYBOARD AND NEW ULTRA-COMPACT SAMPLE LAUNCHER WITH MPC® PADS
Adding to Akai Pro’s keyboard controller and portable production instrument lines, MAX25 and MPX8 give musicians groundbreaking capability in space-saving designs.

Cumberland, R.I. (January 24, 2013) – Akai Professional, the name synonymous with music production, announces MPX8, a standalone SD sample launcher with MPC pads, and MAX25, an innovative USB/MIDI/CV keyboard controller. Akai Professional will unveil MPX8 and MAX25 at Booth 6700 at the 2013 NAMM show, January 24-27 in Anaheim, California.

MPX8 is one of Akai Professional’s most innovative pad instruments yet. Using a standard SD card, users can load virtually any sample onto MPX8 and then assign it to any of the unit’s eight backlit velocity- and pressure-sensitive pads. MPX8 also comes with a large library of standard samples built in, which can be used for live performance in front of a crowd, on a radio show, or for in-studio production. Its bright blue backlit display and intuitive interface make for easy operation in any amount of light. A 1/8-inch headphone output, two balanced 1/4-inch outputs, and five-pin MIDI and USB MIDI inputs and outputs are onboard. 'With MPX8, we’re giving musicians a quick and convenient way to have one-touch access to a virtually unlimited number of sounds, shots, stabs, and drops,' said Dan Gill, Akai Professional Product Manager. MPX8 comes with a drag-and-drop sample editor for Mac® and PC for easy sample conversion. Users can also save sample sets together as kits for easy recall and even tune and add reverb to samples.

Akai Professional will also exhibit MAX25, a compact version of the innovative MAX49 USB/MIDI/CV keyboard controller that was released in 2012. MAX25 has all of the same cutting-edge features as MAX49, including CV/Gate output, semi-weighted keys with aftertouch, a built-in step sequencer, expanded arpeggiator, and revolutionary LED touch faders for gradual or instant parameter value changes. The difference between MAX49 and MAX25 only lies in the number of onboard controls. Where MAX49 has 49 keys, 8 faders, and 12 pads, MAX25 has 25, 4, and 8, respectively. Like MAX49, MAX25 will come with AkaiConnect automatic-mapping software and Mackie Control® and HUI® modes for instant compatibility with many DAWs. 'This is a controller that’s made to be in front of a crowd,” said Gill. 'It’s everything people love about MAX49 but in a compact package that will fit perfectly in front of a laptop on stage.'

Mac is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Mackie Control and HUI are registered trademarks of LOUD Technologies Inc."