Akai

After what seemed to have been years of lying dormant or at least staying on the other side of the line in the sand.. Akai is finally weighing in and coming to the side of all on computer based production.  Of course they have never stopped making their signature line with a few new products here and there, and they've always had at least a leg in the computer based world with their midi/usb controllers.. but this is what we've all been waiting for.

No more trying to midi sync your old mpc with your favorite daw, now it's time to get straight down to business.  I haven't tried these out yet but am glad to see they've made a software component to link up with the mpc that can act as a plug in instrument, while still maintaining the capability of a stand alone if desired.  After trying to avoid computer production for the longest time by rocking an old mpc 1000, minikorg, turntables, mics and instruments.. once I finally did make the jump, I was glad I did, and I'm glad Akai made it too.  The fly looks pretty stealth hooked up to the ipad, but I've got my eye on the studio version.  I'm sure it's going to be like putting your old favorite hoodie on, get that comfortable feeling again.. but this time with tons of new features.  The big question is, did they sleep too long?  Is Native Instruments Maschine holding the title now, or will the new line of MPCs give it a run for the money?