MuseWire NEWS: Just in time for the 2012 January NAMM show, Akai Professional has announced a new line of MPC-branded music gear, starting with the gorgeous “MPC Renaissance” which looks like the Borg step-child of a MPD MIDI controller and the MPC-5000, but better. The Music Production Controller claims to fuse “legendary MPC production with the power of your computer” with a Vintage Mode changing the sound character to MPC3000, MPC60 (8 to 16-bit sound), with 16 backlit MPC pads, 16 Q-Link controls, and adjustable backlit LCD screen.

Or, to quote the company’s promo: “Fusing Akai Professional’s legendary MPC layout and workflow with the power of your computer, MPC Renaissance is an unrivaled instrument for music production. The new flagship is a fully integrated hardware/software system: MPC Renaissance allows you to create using classic hardware controls and an integrated pop-up display, while it’s exclusive MPC Software empowers you with unprecedented, expandable production capabilities on your Mac or PC.”

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.

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
•Software 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

As if this item wasn’t cool enough on its own, as Akai’s response to Native Instrument’s massively popular Maschine instrument, Akai has also announced the MPC Studio “slimline controller,” and the MPC Fly for iPad 2.

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