Akai MPC5000 Sampling Workstation

Akai MPC 5000 Beat Production: Sampler, Drum machine and 960 PPQ sequencer

Akai's MPC range has played an important part in the development of hip-hop music, and these solidly built sampling sequencers have also made inroads into a lot of other electronic styles, particularly where live performance is the order of the day. The latest in this noble line is the new MPC5000, a beefed-up big brother to the MPC2500 (and not, as some might guess, a sequel to the MPC4000, which was rather the black sheep of the MPC flock, more related to the Z-series samplers, and discontinued some time ago).

Like the MPC2500, the philosophy of the machine revolves around the pairing of a 64-track MIDI sequencer with a streamlined 16-bit/44.1kHz drum/phrase sampler, all housed in a desktop unit controlled using the obligatory 4x4 pad matrix and assorted buttons, knobs and sliders. Because a lot of this basic functionality was dealt with in my MPC2500 review back in the January 2007 edition of SOS, let me refer you to that for an overview of how the MPC concept works, so that I can concentrate on the expanded features of the MPC5000 here.

specifications

General
- Display: 240 x 128 dot graphic LCD w/back light
- Memory Card Slot: Compact Flash (The size of the compact flash card that MPC5000 can handle is from 32MB to 2GB)
- Dimensions (W x D x H): 18 x 16 1/16 x 3 3/8 in. (6 7/8 in. with screen at maximum height)
- 406.4mm x 407.98mm x 85.7mm (174.6mm with screen at maximum height)
- Weight: 18.2 lbs
- Power Supply: Internal, auto switching, 110-240V, 50-60Hz
- Power Requirement: 50W

Sound Generator
- Sampling rate: 44.1kHz
- Memory capacity: 64MB standard, expandable to 192MB
- Recording time: 12m 48sec. (64MB, MONO), 38m24sec. (192MB, MONO)
- Memory expansion slot: 1 x for optional EXM-E3
- Data format: 16-bit linear
- Polyphony: 64
- Dynamic filtering: 1 State Variable Filter per voice (up to 8 pole, depending on type)
- Filter types: LOW PASS, BAND PASS, HIGH PASS, BAND BOOST, BAND STOP, ANALOG MODELING, VOCAL FORMANT
- Preset sound memory: 16 MB
- Number of programs: 128

Effects
- Effects: 4 stereo busses with 2 stereo effects per buss, and Master effect
- Master effect: 4 band EQ, Compressor

Sequencer
- Maximum events: 100,000 notes
- Resolution: 960 parts per 1/4-note
- Sequences: 99
- Tracks per sequence: 64
- MIDI output channels: 64 (16 channels x 4 outputs)
- Song mode: 20 songs, 250 steps per song
- Drum pad: 16 (velocity and pressure sensitive)
- Drum pad banks: 4
- Sync mode: MIDI clock, MIDI Time Code
- Transport Controls: MIDI Machine Control

Inputs/Outputs
- Record input (L and R): MIC/ 1/4-inch Combo x 2 balanced -40dBu, input impedance 11k ohms; RCA with PHONO preamp,
- Max. Input level: +10dBu
- Digital RCA-pin x 1 S/PDIF
- Stereo output (L and R): 1/4-inch phone x 2 balanced +11dBu, output impedance 1k Ohms,
- Max. output level: +22dBu
- 8 individual outputs: 1/4-inch phone x 8 balanced +11dBu, output impedance 1k Ohms,
- Max. output level: +22dBu
- Phones output: 1/4-inch stereo phone x 1, 200mW / 100 ohms
- Digital output: RCA-pin x 1 S/PDIF
- ADAT Optical: x 1 (8 Channels)
- MIDI inputs: 5-pin DIN x 2
- MIDI outputs: 5-pin DIN x 4
- USB: Slave connector x 1, USB MASS STORAGE CLASS support
- (Windows 2000/Me/XP or later version, or Mac OS 9.x/10.x or later version. )
- Footswitches: 1/4-inch x 2
- Standard accessories included: Power cable, Operator's manual

Options
- EXM-E3: 128MB expansion memory card (Upgrades unit to 192MB total)
- CDM-25: CDR/DVD Drive

Data Compatibility
- MPC1000: SEQ, WAV, PGM
- MPC2000/2000XL: SEQ, WAV, SND, PGM (Most parameters of PGM file can be loaded.)
- MPC4000: SEQ, WAV, PGM (DRUM program only. Only note assign and tune are loaded.)
- MPC3000: SND (THRU Computer)
- Z4/Z8: SEQ, WAV, PGM (DRUM program only. Only note assign and tune are loaded.)
- S5000/6000: WAV only (THRU Computer)
- S1000/3000: No compatibility

Power Supply: Included

Dimensions and Weight in Packaging

Shipping Weight: 27 lbs

Shipping Dimensions: 24 x 22 x 10 in