Akai MPC Killer: The Open Labs DBeat is Shipping, Now in Two Flavors
COLUMN: As a long time fan of Open Labs, I’ve been watching pretty closely the development of their new “MPC Killer” (they don’t use that term, but I do), since it’s a truly remarkable bit of kit, dubbed the DBeat. Officially it began shipping this week (June 10, as promised) and it now comes in two flavors, which is a wonderful idea since I had been on the fence about paying the cost inherent with including a full version of Ableton LIVE 7 and the attendant sound libraries.
Now, it comes in TWO versions: the DBeat, at a lower price of $2,999, and the DBeat PRO, which is fully tricked out with the Ableton LIVE app, as well as various applications like Sylenth, MimiK, Mr. Porter sounds, and the Digital Sound Factory E-MU applications.
To make it sweeter, the intro price (this week only), basically means you can get the added applications for about $200 after an intro discount. After that the standard price on the PRO model will be $3,799 (still a bargain on the cost difference for all the apps). It also means those on the fence like myself, may be tipped over to getting the PRO model, even if we don’t intend to jump on the Ableton bandwagon.
What the heck is the DBeat?
It’s basically a multi-core PC, running Windows, in a super-light case, with an innovative drum pad setup, mixer, trackball, and touch panel, to compose and produce music of any kind on the go, or in the studio.
The Specs:
â—¦More than 7,000 high-quality sounds.
â—¦Pre-loaded with Riff, GURU.
â—¦Compatible with Serato Scratch Liveâ„¢, Traktorâ„¢, Pro Toolsâ„¢, Reasonâ„¢ and more.
â—¦12 inch Touch Screen, trackball and iPod-compatible cradle.
â—¦Bump MPâ„¢, Mix/Edit, and DJ Controls.
â—¦Intel Core 2 Duo 3.0 GHz processor, 4 GB RAM, 320 GB hard drive, dual-layer DVD burner, and FireWire, USB, DVI Video and Ethernet ports, Internet ready.
â—¦26″L x 14″W x 5″H and weighs approx. 20lbs.
â—¦One year of Open Labs Gold Support Services.
$2,999.
I already own the Open Labs NeKo TSE 61-key keyboard, and I’ve been waiting to see what Dave Smith and Roger Linn would do with a 21st century MPC killer, but that has dragged on a couple of years now, and I think they got a little surprised by Akai putting a VA synth in the buggy MPC 5000 (new OS helps, but rev 1 was a mess).
With the DBeat, Open Labs have created something which will be familiar with MPC users, beat creators, DJs and the like, and it weighs about the same as the ton of bricks MPC 4000 due to its aircraft aluminum frame.
Now, I’m sure I am not the only one who has thought of this, but what would totally rock my world, would be if they went to Roger Linn and said, let’s write some software that picks up with the Akai MPC60II/3000 and goes beyond that. Can you imagine a DBeat “Roger Linn edition.” Wow. But I’m dreaming, there.
Anyway…. I’m off to call an Open Labs sales rep. What a cool product.
Jun 11, 2009 @ 6:58 PM PDT
The only thing missing is the multiple MIDI ins and outs, which all MPCs have. And the slider doesn’t appear preset to support the decay effect so cool with the MPC3000 on the hihat. But, I’m going to check this out locally at AudioMidi once they have them.
Jun 12, 2009 @ 5:48 AM PDT
I’m not gonna lie. I saw this coming. Not too long ago I thought of getting a gen4 miko as I’ll be traveling a lot. But then I thought I’d need a pad controller. Then the bump MP shows up on the gen 5. I also figured that open labs would make an MPC like version and here it is. And like the author, I was skeptical of the price. 3g’s is killer for this piece. It’s a good starting point. Soon I too will be calling an Open Labs sales rep! To DBEAT ‘yall!!
Jul 8, 2009 @ 2:47 PM PDT
Wow, that does look kind of crazy. This is the first I’ve seen of this. It’s funny, I remember sending a suggestion to Open Labs over a year ago that they put drum pads on their current keyboard range.
Jul 24, 2009 @ 1:36 AM PDT
Dbeat what a product. Cant belive Djing could go to this level with Dbeat.I been using Abelton for 4 years now Djing and producing Electronic sound.Was always on hunt for a good controller but could find all the feature what Open Lab Dbeat Pro can give.
Need one soon cant wait to play on it
Jul 29, 2009 @ 7:30 AM PDT
In response to MPC Lover’s comment, the fact that you can run so many soft synths eliminates the need for MIDI outs. Plus if you really need them, you can buy a MIDI interface with at least 4 outs
Oct 16, 2009 @ 1:21 PM PDT
No quad core? Seems more like a dj tool than a production unit. I have a core i7 3.3 ghz intel with 6 gigs of ram and i push that baby to the limit. I don’t see how this could be a winner in the studio environment (maybe for beginners or musicians who create hip hop or other genres that have minimal track counts) but at that price you could build a beast and get the components a la cart (and be honest is software that hard to “liberate?”
But as a dj tool this looks like the coolest thing ever! I have been waiting for but again as Ableton has announced their partership with serato the cool aspects of this will soon be replaced as well. Lets see what they do next to stay ahead of the bunch. I don’t mean to sound like a grinch as this is the kind of innovation that really gets me excited about the future of gear but as a musician who isn’t on mtv drinkin cristal and sportin bling I don’t have the option of buying every cool toy that comes out.