The chunky, top-of-the-range X is intended as a studio centrepiece, while the Live is all about portability. Rather, each model suits particular needs. While the One extends the MPCs into a lower price bracket, the range doesn't really follow the traditional Good, Better, Best template for a product range. It also comes just a few months after Native Instruments didn't release a stand-alone Maschine, as had been anticipated, at a time when more and more people are looking to enjoy music production outside of their laptop. The appeal may also be that it looks like a traditional MPC such as the classic 2000. It mainly repackages existing elements from the established MPC Live and X, but at a more affordable price.

The MPC One seems to have triggered a swell of new interest in the MPC. That's a sizeable premium over the $699 for the regular model, but Akai is clearly betting that you'll pay extra to spice up the look of your live concerts - at least, once live gigs become a thing again.The MPC One offers the most affordable way into the latest generation of Akai's celebrated sampling workstation. The MPC One Retro is available now as a limited edition for $899. You can expect a host of instruments (including DrumSynth and TubeSynth), eight CV/Gate outputs, stereo line-level inputs and outputs and the virtually obligatory MIDI I/O to integrate your other equipment. You'll still have the paltry 4GB of built-in storage, but an SD card slot and a USB-A port will help you add files and save your creations. A seven-inch touchscreen lets you edit samples, and the 16 pressure- and velocity-sensitive pads help you program sounds and perform. The technology, of course, is thoroughly up to date. It more closely resembles your grandparents' stereo than a digital creative tool. Akai has introduced an MPC One Retro that offers the same functionality as the MPC One standalone production machine, but in a beige-gray color scheme with pads, buttons and even fonts that harken back to devices like the and 3000.

Do you like digital music production tools like the MPC One, but feel that modern look is out of place next to your vintage gear? You're in luck.

Akai professional mpc one retro