With the MPC Live III Retro, Akai Professional presents the most powerful MPC ever. It remains true to its convincing concept as a standalone device with MIDI sequencer, sampler, synthesiser and groovebox and goes one better in terms of technology and functionality. With the features on offer, the MPC Live III is a flexible and cross-genre music production centre for beatmakers, producers and live performers. Above all, the MPC Live III is designed for instant playability, endless experimentation and precise recording to create professional beats anytime, anywhere. The integrated rechargeable battery and stereo speaker allow you to make music wherever you are. Whether on the couch, on the park bench or in the tour bus, the MPC Live III is ready for use anywhere!

The third generation of the MPC Live offers a whole range of innovations that are noticeable in the CPU performance and operation. Thanks to the new 8-core CPU and 8 GB RAM, the Live III boasts four times the performance of the MPC Live II. There are also sensitive MPCe pads with 3D sensors, 16 step buttons for the sequencer, a freely assignable touch strip controller and an integrated microphone. The microphone can be used to record ambient noises, self-created sounds and, of course, vocals and incorporate them into the arrangement. Based on the revised and improved MPC3 OS, the MPC Live III impresses with its powerful workflow and extended functions. Another highlight is the Clip Launcher, which provides improved song arranging and performances at the touch of a button.
The large 7" multi-touch display shows everything about the current action in razor-sharp image quality. Here you can change parameters, select instruments and samples, edit the sequencer, operate the clip matrix, set effects and much more. The majority of all operating steps are intuitive.
The third generation of the MPC Live is equipped with 16 extremely responsive MPCe pads with 3D sensors. They are visually striking with four right angles around each pad. These pads offer sensitive control that goes beyond aftertouch and enables X/Y control of one-shot layers, seamless sample blending and dynamic note repetition and articulation. This makes playing/triggering and expressive control literally possible with the swipe of a finger. Of course, a MIDI/USB master keyboard can also be connected to play notes. MPC-typical basic functions such as 8 banks, note repeat, full level or 16 levels
There are 16 small buttons above the display and pads , which are primarily intended for quickly entering rhythms in TR grid style. The Set button is used to access 16 additional functions or menu pages that make operating the sequencer even more convenient.
The touch strip controller can be configured as required. It can be used, for example, to dynamically control the rhythmic retrigger rate of drums and notes, change the loop timing or modulate various parameters.


Thanks to the powerful 8-core CPU, the MPC Live III has four times the performance of the MPC Live II. Together with the increased RAM, which is now 8 GB, this MPC has enough power for 256 stereo voices, 64-voice polyphony for drum tracks, STEM PRO separation, 32 plug-in tracks, 16 audio tracks, up to 16 simultaneous vocal harmoniser instances and much more. This means that even larger arrangements can be realised without this all-rounder running out of steam.
The MPC Live III has an internal memory capacity of 128 GB ex works; there is also plenty of sample content already included in the memory! The size of the working memory is 8 GB RAM. Additional samples can be stored on an SD card (medium sold separately). External hard drives can also be connected to the two USB-A ports. There is also a flap on the underside of the device under which an additional SSD hard drive can be installed.


MPC Live III includes the MPC Instrument Collection with eight powerful plug-in synthesisers that can be used as fully-fledged instruments directly in the MPC. Thousands of sounds provide a solid foundation for creative expression across all genres.

The rear of the MPC Live III is pleasingly versatile. MIDI is communicated via the dual In/Out sockets(32 MIDI channels bidirectional) and USB. This is perfect for anyone who wants to operate additional equipment such as a rack synthesiser or a DAW with the MPC Live III. In its capacity as a sampler, audio inputs are a must! Two audio inputs with XLR combo jack and microphone preamplifier as well as a stereo phono input for sampling directly from the turntable, together with the high-quality 24-bit converters, bring every signal to the desired level. There is a stereo output and four freely assignable individual outputs for the signal output.
Eight configurable CV/gate outputs, which are available as dual TRS connectors, enable the connection between the MPC Live III and a modular system. Other synthesisers with CV/Gate inputs can also be controlled by the MPC Live III in this way.
The two USB-A ports are ideal for MIDI controllers such as a master keyboard or a fader box or even external hard drives. The USB-C port offers a whole range of exciting additional functions that go beyond data exchange between the computer and MPC Live III. For example, you can play plugins in the computer or DAW with the sequencer and pads. The integrated 24-bit / 96 kHz audio interface transports 24 channels to the DAW. It is also possible to sample directly from a smartphone or tablet via USB-C! Sampling something directly from a YouTube video or a synth app and integrating it into the current project has never been easier.

AKAI Professional MPC Live III Retro