Akai to Release 37-Key MPC with Open-Source Firmware
The company is seeding early units to hobbyist coders to integrate custom synthesizers and operating systems.
By Kwame Silva ·
Akai is preparing to launch the MPC Sample Key, a 37-key controller that will ship with open-source firmware. The device is not yet formally announced, but the company has already shared video clips showing modified versions of the hardware running custom software.
The new instrument is a variation of the budget-friendly MPC Sample. It features a traditional keyboard layout along with pitch and mod wheels. Unlike the higher-end MPC Key 37, the Sample Key does not include pads. Users will trigger samples directly with the keys rather than through a separate pad bank.
Akai posted Instagram Reels on October 27 and 28 showcasing various modifications created by developers. These edits add synthesizer engines to the device, including Native Instruments Massive, virtual analog synths, and FM synths. One video displays a unit running a completely custom operating system that contains several different synths.
The clips also show the regular MPC Sample running synths built with Claude. According to the footage, the community features seen on the modified units are planned for the standard MPC Sample. This suggests Akai intends to open-source the software platform for the entire MPC Sample line.
Jack O’Donnell, CEO of inMusic, told The Verge that the company plans to embrace the modding community. Akai and other inMusic brands will seed early devices to developers. These efforts will include open-sourcing specific software components and providing a software development kit.
The move signals a shift in how the company handles its hardware ecosystem. By providing early access, Akai is allowing external coders to build and test custom firmware before the official release. The open-source approach gives developers direct control over the underlying code of the instrument.
