When the idea hits, the studio should already be in your hands. 3.9 kg of MPC3 standalone power for sampling, sequencing and finishing a track without a laptop in the chain. A whole production rig for movement of all varieties.

Shaped around a Gen 2 8-core engine and a 7-inch touchscreen, the MPC Live III Retro is fast under your fingers and quiet on the desk. Built-in battery, onboard monitor speakers and a condenser mic. Couch sessions, train rides, stage time. The MPC you carry, in the colourway you remember.

Late-'80s AKAI colourway, rebuilt around MPC3. 16 RGB MPCe pads. 3D-sensing under the fingers, X/Y control over every sample.

Workflow

For sketching ideas and finishing them. Sample, sequence, mix and master in one box. Tap a pad, capture a vocal through the onboard condenser, route a synth into the XLR/TRS combo inputs, ride it out across 16 audio tracks. MPC3 OS keeps the chain short, from first hit to final bounce, with no computer in between.

Engine

Gen 2 8-core processor, 8 GB RAM and 128 GB onboard storage. Four times the headroom of the MPC Live II, 256 voices of polyphony, and Pro Reverb, Pro Stems separation, Clip Matrix, CV Playground and Super Timestretch built in. A machine that holds a big session and still leaves room to grow it.

Features

• Dimensions : 43.6 x 25.6 x 6.7 cm.
• Weight: 3.9 kg.
• 7-inch multi-touch colour touchscreen.
• 16 RGB MPCe pads with 3D-sensing for X/Y control and sample blending.
• Gen 2 8-core processor, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB internal storage, SD / USB expandable.
• 256-voice polyphony.
• XLR/TRS combo inputs with mic preamps, six line outs, dual 5-pin MIDI, eight CV/Gate outputs.
• USB-C interface, 24-channel audio and 32-channel MIDI.
• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ableton Link.
• Built-in rechargeable Li-ion battery, up to 5 hours.
• Onboard monitor speakers and condenser microphone.

In the box

• Akai MPC Live III Retro
• Power supply (19 V DC)

Heritage

The MPC engine has shaped hip-hop, beat music and electronic production for nearly four decades. The Live III Retro wraps that machine in the late-'80s AKAI colourway. Vintage on the outside, MPC3 on the inside. Made to be used, not put on a shelf.

Warranty

The warranty covers faults in materials, workmanship and other manufacturing-related issues, but does not cover defects caused by normal wear and tear.