Akai’s MPC Sample Key appears designed for melodic music production

Akai has shown details of its upcoming MPC Sample Key, a compact music-making instrument with a 25-key keyboard.

The company has said it plans to open-source the device’s software, allowing users to modify it.

Unlike the MPC Sample, which is geared toward chopping up drum sounds, the Key appears built for playing samples as melodies.

Pitch and mod wheels, octave controls, and buttons marked “chord” and “arp” point to ways of shaping and playing musical parts.

Images also show a built-in mic, speaker and looper, features that could support making and layering music without extra equipment.

The device may also have CV outputs for connecting to modular synths, but Akai has not confirmed this.

Akai has not announced a launch date or price, and the purpose of a feature labeled “Swarm” remains unclear.