Akai MPC Live 3 Retro Music Production Centre w/ CV & 16 MPCe Expressive Pads

Akai's MPC Live 3 Retro is a standalone music production centre that channels the visual language and hands–on workflow of the original 1980s MPCs while running modern MPC3 OS hardware. The 16 expressive MPCe pads respond to pressure and strike dynamics, making finger–drumming, sampling, and live performance feel organic and immediate. Built for creators who want studio–grade production without a computer tether, it delivers the core beat–making experience that shaped hip–hop culture across four decades.

The hardware combines a multitouch display, velocity–sensitive pad array, and intuitive control layout with dual–core processing that handles sampling, sequencing, and real–time performance effects. Built–in battery power, stereo speakers, and microphone input mean you can sketch ideas or perform anywhere. CV connectivity bridges hardware synthesis into your workflow, while the standalone architecture keeps creative momentum unbroken by software crashes or driver conflicts.

Whether sketching loops in a bedroom or taking the stage for a live set, the MPC Live 3 Retro puts the entire production pipeline under your fingers. From finger–drumming and chopping samples to sequencing drums and effects processing, every interaction is tactile and responsive. The retro aesthetic trades nothing in functionality—it's the full MPC Live III feature set in classic Akai black and red.

Features

• 16 velocity–sensitive expressive pads with pressure and strike response
• Multitouch display for clip editing, mixing, and parameter control
• MPC3 OS on next–generation standalone hardware, no computer required
• Built–in rechargeable battery, stereo speakers, and microphone input
• CV connectivity for hardware synthesiser and modular integration
• Dual–core processor handles real–time sampling, sequencing, and effects
• Hands–on workflow optimised for finger–drumming and live performance
• Classic Akai Professional retro design in black and red finish