AKAI Professional MPC One+

My story with the MPC One+ is probably a bit unusual. I first ordered it somewhere else. When it arrived, the device got stuck on the wifi settings (unable to find wifi). Updating the device was also impossible. Seemed to be a known issue with this device. So, I returned it and ordered a new one here at Thomann.

The second one arrived and could connect to wifi. Worked out mostly fine, until it didn‘t. The main issue that I have with the MPC One+ is that there‘s so much menu diving, and I barely got to making music. And when I did, I usually ran into a bug that led to internet searches.

The overall feel of the device is great. It is sturdy and the pads feel are amazing and are a pleasure to play. The sounds are also great. It is in theory a wonderful device. But the workflow was too frustrating for me. It feels a bit like a windows 95 computer. You never know whether it crashes, or whether something will work at all. When it works, it is fine, but it is clunky and not smooth.

The final frustration for me was when I connected an external synthesizer and only got an awful noise sound. Another internet searches to solve this issue? Nah. I returned it.

So, overall, it has the potential to do everything, but only if you‘re willing to put in the time to learn it and do a lot of trouble-shooting. Personally, I realized I am more interested in a more limited instruments with a more straightforward menu. Sometimes less is better.

It’s my first mpc, so it’s hard to compare with previous models, but I tried for a year to make it a center of my dawless setup and unfortunately I’m giving up. It feels to me that the marketing team of akai wanted this sampler to be able to do absolutely everything and then some. Every time I’ve tried to make a track on this machine it was so frustrating because of a million little things ux-wise that just weren’t very well thought-through. I would much rather have this sampler have 4 times as leas features as it has but have them be more polished and designed well. Also on-board fx’s are really poor sounding for the most part

The MPC One+ is essentially the MPC One with added wireless features (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) and updated specs. If you want a compact workstation that can handle full track production without a computer, it’s a very solid choice. It gives you deep sequencing, instruments, plugins, sampling, and MIDI control all in one unit.

What I like:
• Standalone power – it really feels like a DAW in hardware form. Song mode, MIDI sequencing, automation, sampling, it’s all there.
• Better specs – more RAM and a smoother OS than the older MPC One, which helps with larger projects and loading heavy plugins.
• Plugins & instruments – decent synths and drum machines built-in, plus expansions if you want to go further.
• Connectivity – Wi-Fi/Bluetooth is nice for updates, Splice integration, and wireless controllers.

What could be better:
• Workflow speed – still not as fast or intuitive as a DAW like Logic; some menus feel clunky.
• Loading times – heavy plugins can take a while, which interrupts the creative flow.
• Portability – it’s small, but no battery option, so it’s more “desktop gear” than truly mobile.
• Identity – sometimes feels like Akai is leaning on nostalgia instead of fully pushing the hardware forward.

Overall:
The MPC One+ is a powerful standalone workstation for anyone who wants to move away from the computer and have everything in one box. It’s deeper and more capable than something like the Roland SP-404MKII, especially for arranging full songs. At the same time, it doesn’t necessarily make you faster than a laptop/DAW — it just gives you a different, hands-on workflow.

If you’re after a self-contained production unit with modern connectivity and strong sequencing power, the One+ is probably the best value in Akai’s current lineup.