Akai’s latest flagship MPC is the MPC X (Amazon / zZsounds / eBay). The X is a standalone MPC with a full color, adjustable 10.1” multi-touch screen, 16 amazingly responsive, velocity- and pressure-sensitive RGB pads and 16 gigs of internal storage. To make it a truly untethered, computer-free experience, the X also features two USB slots that can be used for MIDI controller connectivity. Powering the X is our stellar MPC 2.0 Software, which runs natively in standalone mode. For more expressive performances, there are 16 touch-sensitive 360-degree assignable pots—perfect for precisely automating individual QLink parameters. Above each of those QLink pots is a high-resolution OLED display, detailing info for the individual parameter. The MPC X has a number of additional features that make it the most powerful standalone music production tool to date. The X has a high quality audio interface engineered for recording, sampling and transmitting pristine sound. The back panel is equipped with 2 XLR + 1/4” TRS inputs for recording microphones – including those needing 48V phantom power. There are two additional 1/4” TRS line inputs on the back panel and the front panel also features two more 1/4” line inputs. Onboard CV/Gate outputs enable the analog control of modular gear such as classic synths and drum machines. For vinyl junkies, we include two RCA phono inputs with RIAA preamp to ensure the right levels are coming into the X from your turntable.