History: AKAI MPC60

Since its initial release in 1988, the Akai MPC (Music Production Center) has revolutionized the hip-hop and electronic music industries, becoming an iconic piece of music production equipment. Developed by Akai Professional, a Japanese company renowned for its 12-bit samplers such as the S612, S900 and S950, the MPC was the first of its kind to allow users to program and sequence their own beats, as well as sample and manipulate their own sounds.

The first MPC was the MPC60, which featured 16-bit sampling, 32-voice polyphony, 16 MIDI channels and a built-in sequencer. It was followed by the MPC3000, which added 32-bit sampling, real-time effects and a floppy disk drive for storage and data transfer. Subsequent versions of the MPC, such as the MPC2000XL and the MPC1000, improved upon the original model, with the latter being the first to feature an onboard LCD screen. The latest version, the MPC Live, has a touchscreen display and can be used both in the studio and on the go.

The Akai MPC has been used by some of the most prominent names in music and is considered one of the most iconic pieces of music production equipment of all time. Its legacy continues to this day with producers, beatmakers and DJs alike, who rely on the MPC to create their signature sounds and beats. Its influence can be heard in countless tracks, and its influence is certain to remain for years to come.