Akai Professional® Unveils MPC® Live III Retro: Modern MPC Power. Retro MPC Style.
Inspired by the iconic MPC machines of the late 1980s, MPC Live III Retro delivers the full power of the MPC Live III in a vintage-inspired design that honors where beatmaking began.
CUMBERLAND, R.I. (May 28, 2026) — Akai Professional® today announced MPC® Live III Retro, a standalone music production center that pairs the full feature set of the MPC Live III with a retro-inspired design drawn from the original MPC machines of the late 1980s. Finished in the classic Akai colorway, MPC Live III Retro is built for today’s creators who want modern standalone power wrapped in a design that honors where beatmaking began.
MPC LIVE III Retro Launch Video
“The original MPCs didn’t just make music—they shaped culture,” said Andy Mac, Creative Global Marketing and Artist Relations Manager at Akai Professional. “MPC Live III Retro is for the producers who grew up on those machines and the new generation discovering them now. Every detail of the retro colorway is intentional. This is vintage attitude with everything the modern MPC has to offer.”
RETRO LOOK, MODERN SOUL
MPC Live III Retro offers tribute to the visual language of the original MPCs that laid the creative foundation for hip-hop production, sampling culture, and modern beatmaking. The classic Akai colorway delivers an unmistakable aesthetic to MPC Live III’s standalone workflow which has been hailed by contemporaries for its power and performance features since its October 2025 launch.
Boasting a Gen 2 8-core processor, 8GB of RAM, and MPC3 OS, load times are lightning-fast even on large productions. With the capacity to run up to 32 simultaneous plug-in instances, 16 audio tracks, and a suite of powerful workflow tools including: Clip Matrix, 16-step sequencing, Super Timestretch, Pro Stems Separation, and an enhanced CV Playground, creators don’t need to sacrifice creative capability for a standalone solution.
At the heart of MPC Live III Retro are the MPCe™ pads, featuring 3D-sensing technology that goes beyond aftertouch. X/Y control of one-shot layers, seamless sample blending, dynamic note repeats, and per-pad articulations give producers and performers a more expressive, tactile connection between artist and instrument.
STANDALONE POWER AND PORTABILITY
MPC Live III Retro is engineered for total creative freedom away from a computer. Built-in discrete stereo studio monitors deliver studio-quality punch and low end for instant playback anywhere. A high-quality onboard microphone captures everything from vocals to field recordings on the go. An internal rechargeable battery provides up to four hours of untethered music production, rehearsal, and performance.
MPC3 OS AND MPC3 PRO PACK
MPC Live III Retro ships with MPC3 OS and includes the MPC3 Pro Pack, unlocking AIR Reverb Pro, AIR Visual EQ4, AIR Fabric Select, and AIR Utility; Clip Launch with Matrix and Clip Edit mode, follow actions, row launch, tempo and snapshots, and Ableton Live set import; advanced CV capabilities including Q-Link envelope follower and LFO; and Super Timestretch and Pro Stems Separation algorithms. Ableton Control Mode is also supported via USB-C.
KEY FEATURES:
Performance & Sound
● Next-generation Gen 2 8-core processor (4 performance + 4 efficiency cores) with 8GB RAM
● 128GB internal storage
● Up to 32 simultaneous plug-in instances and 16 audio tracks
● New MPCe™ pads with 3D-sensing technology for expressive X/Y control, sample blending, and dynamic note repeats
● 16-step sequencer with function buttons for instant electronic-style workflow
● Clip Matrix for real-time loop creation and arrangement
● Performance touch-strip for dynamic real-time control
Software & Workflow
● Powered by MPC3 OS with MPC3 Pro Pack included
● Super Timestretch and Pro Stems Separation algorithms
● AIR Reverb Pro, AIR Visual EQ4, AIR Fabric Select, and AIR Utility
● Clip Launch with Matrix and Clip Edit mode, follow actions, and Ableton Live set import
● Enhanced CV Playground with Q-Link envelope follower and LFO
● Ableton Control Mode via USB-C
Interface
● 7-inch multi-touch color display
● 4 touch-capacitive knobs
● Retro-inspired design in classic Akai colorway
Portability
● Internal rechargeable battery (up to 4 hours)
● Built-in stereo studio monitors
● Built-in high-quality microphone
Connectivity
● 2 × XLR/TRS combo inputs
● 6 line outputs
● 8 CV/gate outputs
● 2 bi-directional MIDI ports
● USB-C: 24 channels of audio I/O, 32 channels of bi-directional MIDI, class-compliant
● Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
● iPhone direct sampling via USB-C
● Multi-MIDI: connection for up to 32 devices
AVAILABILITY AND PRICING
The Akai Professional MPC Live III Retro will be available beginning May 28, 2026, for $1,699 USD (€1,649.99, £1,399.99) through authorized dealers and select music retailers worldwide.
High-resolution images and media assets for Akai Professional and MPC Live III Retro can be found HERE.
To learn more, please visit www.akaipro.com. Join the conversation on social media by following @Akai_Pro on Instagram, YouTube, Tik Tok, and X, and AkaiPro on Facebook.
ABOUT AKAI PROFESSIONAL
For over four decades, Akai Professional has been at the forefront of modern music production, delivering iconic tools that have shaped entire genres. From its early innovations in sampling and sequencing to today’s cutting-edge standalone systems, Akai Professional continues to redefine how music is created, performed, and produced. Trusted by the world’s leading artists, producers, and creators, Akai Professional remains a driving force in the evolution of sound.
MEDIA CONTACT
Jessup PR
Akai Professional®, MPC®, and MPCe™ are trademarks of inMusic Brands, Inc.
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