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Akai MPC Live II review

By Si Truss last updated

  • £1040

There are so many instruments to help you ditch the DAW, but can they boast ditching the studio as well? This latest MPC gets portable

Computer Samplers

Elektron Octatrack MkII review

By Si Truss last updated

  • £1,149
  • €1,389
  • $1,349

Swedish brand updates its flagship hardware sampler

Computer Samplers

Pioneer DJ DJS-1000 review

By Si Truss last updated

  • £1,169
  • $1,199

The Toraiz SP-16 sample engine comes to the DJ booth with Pioneer’s sampler/CDJ hybrid

Computer Samplers
The 500 is a scaled-down version of the bigger MPC's with 12 pads instead of 16

Akai MPC500 Music Production Centre review

By Future Music last updated

  • £549
  • $1299

The MPC is the last word in instant rhythmic gratification, but does this portable version continue the legacy?

Computer Samplers
Sporting a white, red and grey colour scheme the Volca Sample gives a cheeky nod to the classic MPC

Korg Volca Sample review

By Si Truss published

  • £119
  • €166
  • $224

iOS-reliant sample sequencer

Computer Samplers
The overall design is typically Akai and in the flesh it looks good with its textured red/black chassis and glossy control panel

Akai MPX16 review

By Dan 'JD73' Goldman published

  • £130
  • €210
  • $299

The MPX8's sampler sibling

Computer Samplers
Spark's eight pads are arranged horizontally along the front of the unit.

Arturia Spark review

By Future Music published

  • £420
  • $599

We put Arturia's new hybrid hardware/software beat-making tool to the test

Computer Samplers
The Beat Thang features 13 velocity sensitive pads in a piano octave layout.

Beat Kangz Beat Thang review

By Dan 'JD73' Goldman published

  • £799

 Computer Samplers
Like the microKorg, the microSampler comes with its own mic.

Korg microSampler review

By Future Music published

  • £436
  • $400

 Computer Samplers
Incredible real-time sample manipulation, seamless time-stretching and a versatile step sequencer all feature.

Elektron Octatrack DPS-1 review

By Future Music published

  • €1240
  • $1490

 Computer Samplers