Akai Professional

Akai Professional is a music equipment manufacturer that has been around since the 1980s. They are most well-known for their electronic musical instruments, particularly their line of MPC drum machines and samplers. Akai Professional is a subsidiary of the larger Akai brand, which produces a variety of consumer electronics products.

The company was founded in Tokyo, Japan in 1984 as Akai Electric Co., Ltd. It started out producing audio and video equipment, including cassette decks and VCRs. However, in 1988, Akai Professional released the MPC60, a drum machine and sampler that would go on to become a game changer in the world of hip-hop and electronic music.

The MPC60 was one of the first pieces of music equipment to combine sampling, sequencing, and drum programming into a single device. It quickly became a favorite of producers and musicians, particularly in the hip-hop community, and has been used to create some of the genre's most iconic tracks.

Since then, Akai Professional has continued to innovate and release new products. They have expanded their line of MPCs to include various models and sizes, as well as introducing new products such as MIDI controllers, synthesizers, and audio interfaces.

One of Akai Professional's most recent product releases is the MPC Live II, a standalone music production center that allows musicians to create music without the need for a computer. The MPC Live II features a built-in rechargeable battery, Wi-Fi connectivity, and a touchscreen interface. It also comes with a suite of built-in software instruments and effects.

Another popular product from Akai Professional is the MPK Mini, a compact MIDI controller that is popular among producers and musicians who are on-the-go. The MPK Mini features 25 velocity-sensitive keys, eight backlit MPC-style pads, and eight assignable knobs. It also comes with software instruments and a comprehensive software suite that includes everything needed to create music.

In addition to their hardware products, Akai Professional also offers software for music production. Their MPC software allows users to create and manipulate music on their computer using the same workflow as their MPC hardware products. The company also offers various virtual instruments and effects plugins that can be used in popular DAWs (digital audio workstations) such as Ableton Live and Logic Pro.

Akai Professional has a strong presence in the music industry and is well-regarded by musicians and producers for their high-quality products. Their products have been used by a wide variety of artists, from hip-hop producers like J Dilla and DJ Premier to electronic musicians such as Aphex Twin and Deadmau5.

The company has also partnered with various artists to release signature products. For example, they worked with legendary producer and DJ J Dilla to create the MPC3000-JD, a limited edition MPC that features custom sounds and a unique color scheme.

In recent years, Akai Professional has focused on integrating their products with popular software and services. For example, their MPC Live II and MPC X products can now be used with Ableton Live, a popular DAW used by many electronic musicians. They have also partnered with Splice, a cloud-based music production platform, to offer exclusive content and discounts to Akai Professional users.

Overall, Akai Professional is a well-established and respected music equipment manufacturer that has made significant contributions to the world of music production. Their products are used by musicians and producers around the world and continue to evolve with advances in technology and changing industry trends.