MPC ONE delivers a truly empowering hands-on experience, ready for any music production task. Edit and trim samples with hand gestures on the brilliant 7” touch screen display. Express your ideas perfectly with the assigned knobs and touch keys that eliminate diving through pages of menus. Integrate the MPC One into your creative space with all the ports and jacks you need. USB, MIDI DIN, CV/Gate, and 1/4” line-level audio input. With USB and SD card slots, you can save, transfer, and share your music.


Featuring both complete standalone operation and full control over the brand new MPC 2.8 software, this machine is the best of both worlds!


In this article, we'll discuss some of the popular questions about the MPC One's features and functionality.


Frequently Asked Questions



What are the system specs of the MPC One?

The MPC One has its own embedded system which sports a 1.8GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM.

For internal storage, the MPC One has 4GB onboard. There are 2GB of studio-quality sounds preloaded and another 2GB for you to work with. You can use the USB port or SD slot to add additional storage.


What operating systems will the MPC One be supported on?

The MPC One and MPC 2.8 software are supported for use on Windows 10 and Mac OS X 10.13 and up. This will only require the installation of a single driver to use the MPC One as a controller with MPC 2.8.


Which MPC 2.0 version is the MPC One compatible with?

The MPC One is compatible with MPC 2.7.2 and up.


How big is the display? Is it a touch screen?

The MPC One features a 7" (5.9” x 3.7”) full color, multi-touch display (resolution 1280x800, aspect ratio 16:10) for navigating and controlling the internal software. This means that not only is it touch-capable, but it can handle multi-touch gestures like pinching to zoom in/out and double-tap for advanced settings.


How much storage is there? How big is the internal hard drive?

The MPC One has 4GB of internal storage. There are 2GB of studio-quality sounds preloaded and another 2GB for you to work with. You can use the USB port or SD slot to add additional storage for saving samples, programs, and projects.


What types of external storage devices does the MPC One support?

The MPC One supports all USB storage devices and standard SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards.

USB storage devices have no virtual limit on the capacity of the drive while SD cards up to 2TB in size are supported.

External drives should be formatted in exFAT for optimal performance.


Does the MPC One have a battery?

The MPC One does not have a battery and will need to be connected to an outlet with the included power adapter.

What software comes with the MPC One?


The MPC One comes with the following software:

  • MPC 2.0 Software
  • The Vault 2.0
  • MPC 2.0 Clip Launch Pack
  • Essential Instruments 2
  • MPC 2.0 Demo Projects
  • MPC 2.0 Deep House
  • MPC 2.0 Drum N Bass
  • MPC 2.0 EDM & Future House
  • MPC 2.0 Tech House
  • AIR Loom
  • AIR Vacuum Pro
  • AIR Velvet
  • AIR Xpand!2
  • AIR Mini Grand
  • AIR DB-33
  • AIR theRiser
  • AIR FX Collection Classic
  • SONiVOX Session Drums
  • The Bank
  • The 809
  • The Noise
  • The Wub
  • Hybrid 3

All included software will be made available for download in your Akai Account after registering the MPC One. For more information on how to register and download your included content, check out this guide:

Can I record full audio tracks on the MPC One?

Yes! In the standalone mode, the MPC will capable of up to 8 full audio tracks, but the MPC 2.0 software can record as many tracks as your system can support.

How many MIDI Tracks can the MPC One load?

The MPC One can load up to 128 MIDI Tracks per Sequence in standalone mode. MIDI tracks consist of MIDI data only, no audio data. These tracks produce sound by using programs (Drum, Keygroup, Plugin, etc.).

Unlike most DAWs, each MIDI track exists only in its Sequence. The advantage of this is not having to manage empty or unwanted tracks across all of your sequences—each sequence contains only the tracks you want to use in it.


Does the MPC One Support Multitimbral MIDI?

Yes! With the 2.8 Firmware Update, Multi-MIDI Control is now supported making MPC the ultimate MIDI sequencing studio centerpiece. Multi-MIDI Control enables the user to simultaneously connect up to 32 class-compliant USB Keyboards, MIDI interfaces, or USB to CV modules, supercharging your I/O capability.

Fuse this with deep internal MIDI routing across tracks, comprehensive MIDI routing to any MIDI-compatible synthesizer, drum machine or sound module, and MPC forms the beating heart of any production setup, unleashing the true power of all your gear!

Check out this guide for more information on Multi-MIDI Control:


Can I plug a USB MIDI controller into the USB port of the MPC One?

The USB ports on the MPC One have a variety of uses. They can be used to transfer files on and off of the MPC, as extra storage, and as an input for USB MIDI controllers. 

You can connect up to 32 class-compliant USB MIDI controllers to the MPC One (running at least Firmware v2.8). A powered USB hub can be connected to the One's USB A port to expand the USB I/O up to 32 MIDI ports.


Is the MPC One USB 2.0 or USB 3.0?

The MPC One supports USB 2.0 connections and ships with a USB 2.0 cable to connect to your computer for controller mode.


Can I open my current MPC projects on the MPC One?

Yes! The MPC One will recognize MPC projects, programs, and sequences made with earlier versions of the software and even older MPC hardware. The MPC will automatically convert them to the modern formats when imported.


Are there any differences between running a project in standalone vs. with MPC 2.0 Software?

Yes, but not many. You may notice slight differences depending on your workflow, though the main difference will be third-party VST support.  MPC 2.0 supports 64-bit VST and AU plugins when used with your computer, however, these plugins will not be accessible when using the MPC One in standalone.

How many inputs and outputs are on the MPC One?

The MPC One has the following input and output connections:

  • (2) 1/4” (6.35 mm) TRS inputs (1 stereo pair)
  • (2) 1/4” (6.35 mm) TRS outputs (1 stereo pair)
  • (1) 1/8” (3.5 mm) stereo headphone output
  • (1) 5-pin MIDI input
  • (1) 5-pin MIDI output
  • (4) 4 TRS CV/Gate Jacks, 8 Outputs Total using a Y-cable
  • (1) USB Type-A port
  • (1) USB Type-B port
  • (1) SD Card slot
  • (1) Power Adapter input


Can I access the internal drive while the MPC One is in controller mode?

When the MPC One is in controller mode, you will not be able to access the internal drive. Instead, the MPC's browser will show your computer's hard drive.

For this reason, all of the One's Factory Content as well as additional Expansions and Plugins are available in your Akai account for download directly to your computer.

Use an external storage device (USB or SD) to transfer files and projects directly from the MPC One to your computer.


Can I transfer content directly to the internal storage?

All content will need to be stored on a USB drive or SD card before transferring to the internal storage on the MPC One. The Internal drive will not appear as an available drive when connected to your computer. 


Will the MPC One support legacy file types?

Absolutely! The MPC Live will be fully compatible with projects, programs, and sequences from previous MPC versions and legacy hardware MPC's such as the MPC5000, MPC4000, MPC3000, MPC2500/2500XL, MPC1000, and MPC500.

The MPC Live will support the following file types .AKP, . ALL, .IPT, .PGM, .PRJ, . SND, .MID, .SEQ, . APS, .50k, and .50s.


Can I export additional MPC Expansion packs and third-party samples to the MPC One?

Yes, additional MPC Expansions and third-party sample packs can be imported to the MPC One for use in standalone via an external storage device. When this external drive is connected to the One, you will be able to access the Expansions and sample packs from the Browser. For more information on how to export content to the MPC One, take a look at this tutorial:

Note: The MPC One will not mount an external drive to your desktop when connected in controller mode. To export expansions to an external drive, connect the storage device directly to an available port on your computer.

Which sample formats does the MPC One support?

The MPC One is compatible with the following sample formats:

  • AIF/AIFF
  • FLAC
  • MP3
  • OGG
  • WAV

What is the recording resolution of the MPC One?

The max recording resolution in standalone mode is 24 bit, 44.1kHz. When using the MPC One in controller mode the recording resolution can be set up to 24 bit, 96 kHz.


Can I connect a mic to the MPC One?

The MPC One does not have an internal mic preamp so it cannot appropriately amplify an incoming mic signal. To work around this, simply connect your mic to a mixer with a mic preamp and route the mixer's line output to the MPC's line input.


Where can I find more tutorials?

The Akai team has created a series of video tutorials that tackle every function and feature of the MPC One so you can master the workflow in no time! Check out the MPC Beats Academy channel here:


What's Next?