Power Player

Its big, its black, and its back. The latest addition to the MPC fold is undoubtedly the most powerful yet. The vastly upgraded machine sports no less than 12 Q-Link controllers for live tweaking with over 40 new onboard effects including a mastering compressor and equalizer to ensure the fattest beats always emerge from the outputs.
Also new is the eight track 'direct to hard disk' recording and a three-oscillator virtual analogue synth with over 300 presets.
Computer connectivity comes via the USB port and there's even a dedicated turntable phono input for sampling straight off vinyl.
Expect retail prices in the £1500 range or lower, for more info visit www.akaipro.com

Specs for the MPC5000

* 64-voice drum/phrase sampler with 64MB memory built-in. Expandable up to 192MB RAM
* Three-oscillator virtual analog synth engine with built-in arpeggiator
* Over 300 Virtual Analog synth presets included
* Eight tracks of Direct-to-Hard Disk recording
* Over 40 all new effects available within a modular 4-bus effects processor
* Master compressor and equalizer
* Built-in hard disk drive
* Optional CD-R/DVD drive
* USB 2.0 port for computer connectivity
* CF Type-2 card slot (up to 2GB)
* Chop-Shop 2.0 - slices a stereo loop into individual samples with automatic pad assignment
* Patched Phrases - creates multiple splits in looped samples to ensure proper tempo sync without changing pitch
* Continuous Sample Track - ensures samples play in perfect sync no matter where you start the beat in a loop
* 12 Q-link controllers for internal automation, external MIDI control and quick parameter editing
* 240 x 128 hinged backlit LCD
* 10 built-in analog outputs, plus 8 ADAT-optical outputs and stereo S/PDIF IO
* Powerful new multimode filter
* Two MIDI inputs and Four MIDI outputs
* Turntable phono inputs with RIAA pre-amp
* XLR / 1/4" combo jacks with selectable mic/line levels