Akai MPC One G2 Standalone Sampler & Music Production Centre

The biggest change inside the MPC One G2 is its next-generation G2 8-core CPU.

Akai says the new architecture delivers up to four times the performance of its predecessor and provides the processing headroom required for expanded audio tracks, plugins, advanced time stretching and optional high-quality Stems separation.

This is much more than a cosmetic update to the MPC One platform.

The MPC One G2 doubles the RAM of the MPC One+ from 2GB to 4GB, while internal storage increases from 16GB to 64GB.

Additional storage can be connected using the SD card slot, USB-A or USB-C connections, giving producers plenty of flexibility for sample libraries, projects and other production content.

At the centre of the MPC One G2 are 16 classic MPC performance pads, retaining the familiar hands-on interface generations of beatmakers associate with the MPC workflow.

Use the pads for:

Drum programming
Sample triggering
Chopping
Melodic performance
Sequencing
Clip triggering
Production and live performance

The MPC One G2 features a 7-inch HD full-colour multi-touch display.

Multi-touch gestures including pinch-to-zoom and double-tap functionality provide direct interaction with MPC's production environment.

This allows detailed sample editing, sequencing, arranging, mixing and sound design directly from the hardware.

Four Q-Link controls are accompanied by dedicated performance-control OLED displays, providing immediate visual feedback as parameters are adjusted.

These provide hands-on access to production parameters without forcing every adjustment through the touchscreen.

The increased processing power allows the MPC One G2 to support up to 32 plugin programs, compared with eight on the MPC One+.

This provides considerably greater scope for building complete productions using internal virtual instruments without immediately running into the limitations of the previous-generation platform.

Standalone audio-track capacity has also doubled.

The MPC One G2 supports up to 16 stereo audio tracks, compared with eight stereo tracks on the MPC One+.

That gives producers greater flexibility when recording vocals, instruments, external synths and longer audio parts.

Maximum voice capacity increases from 64 voices on the MPC One+ to 256 voices on the MPC One G2.

This additional headroom is particularly valuable for more complex projects involving layered samples and instruments.

USB-C is one of the most significant workflow improvements.

The connection can operate as either a USB host or USB device, allowing compatible USB-C MIDI controllers and storage devices to be connected while also supporting connection to a computer.

You can also sample audio directly from a connected computer or compatible phone via USB-C.

When connected to a computer with the appropriate MPC One G2 driver installed, the MPC can provide 24 channels of audio via USB-C.

This allows individual MPC tracks to be digitally routed into a DAW for further mixing and mastering rather than requiring everything to be recorded as a single stereo mix.

That's a major workflow improvement for producers who like to create standalone but finish projects on a computer.

MPC One G2 can also work with compatible class-compliant USB audio interfaces.

Akai states that up to 32 channels of input and output can be accommodated when using a class-compliant audio interface.

The G2 processor supports Akai's higher-quality Pro Stems separation technology.

This allows stems workflows to take advantage of the increased G2 processing performance.

Important: MPC Stems Separation is not included with the MPC One G2 and is sold separately.

MPC One G2 ships with Akai's latest MPC software generation and can operate as a completely standalone production system or integrate with MPC desktop software when connected to a compatible computer.

Existing projects created using MPC 2 firmware are supported, although Akai states that the MPC One G2 itself does not work with MPC 2 desktop software.

MPC One G2 supports Ableton Live Control Mode via USB-C and can import/export Ableton projects.

Akai documents support for transferring elements including tracks/clips, arrangement sequences, colours, audio clips, MIDI notes and supported instrument structures from appropriately prepared Ableton Live projects.

For hardware-focused producers, MPC One G2 provides:

1 × 5-pin MIDI Input
1 × 5-pin MIDI Output
4 × stereo 3.5mm CV/Gate outputs
8 total CV outputs
USB MIDI connectivity

This makes it capable of sequencing and controlling external MIDI hardware, analogue synths and modular equipment from the MPC workflow.

Akai currently lists a substantial factory content package for the MPC One G2, including expansion content such as Classic Drum Machines, Percussion Tools, Acoustic Drum Tools, Marco Polo – LoFi Boom Vol 1, F9 Apollo – Retro Drum Kits, Welcome to ATL content and Producer Kit Essentials.

Akai's current support documentation also lists included plugin instruments including Fabric Select, Organ, Analog Dreams, Bassline, Electric, Drumsynth Multi, Hype, Mellotron, Odyssey, Solina and TubeSynth.