Akai

Akai is a Japanese-origin electronics brand whose music-production equipment is sold under the Akai Professional name. Its range includes standalone production systems, samplers, keyboard and pad controllers, synthesizers and music software. It is particularly associated with the MPC family, which combines sampling and sequencing and has an established place in hip-hop and electronic music production.

Other recognised ranges include MPK keyboard controllers, MPD pad controllers and APC controllers for Ableton Live. The EWI electronic wind instrument range provides an alternative to keyboard- and pad-based performance, while products such as MIDImix offer hands-on control of recording software.

On MyGear, Akai has 25 products currently in stock at partner retailers, priced from £17 to £2,174. The catalogue spans synthesizers, MIDI controllers, audio plugins, hi-fi headphones, and parts and spares. This places its listed range across several market levels, from inexpensive accessories and compact controllers to higher-priced standalone production systems such as the MPC Live III.