NAMM: MPC 5000 Announced

Akai MPC 5000

NAMM has kicked off and we are now getting our first trickle ins of the latest and hottest gear. First up that has come through my inbox is Akai announcing the new MPC 5000. Packing all the traditional midi sequencing and sampling as you expect from previous MPC's with 64mb upgradeable to 192 this one has a few new features with an 8-track recorder to hard disk and a new 20 voice 3 oscillator synth. Additional features include a new 960 ppq sequencing engine, 64 continuous sample tracks, pad muting and a new effects section with 4 effects busses.

It is not entirely clear if your samples can be stored on the hard disk or if only the 8-track recorder has access to it. No word on the size of said hard disk either (ED: the video states 80 gigs). Overall looks to be a very solid live setup. Let me know if anyone can find the price on this puppy let me know

Specifications:
-64-voice drum/phrase sampler with 64MB memory built-in. Expandable up to 192MB RAM
-Three-oscillator virtual analog synth engine with built-in arpeggiator
-Over 300 Virtual Analog synth presets included
-Eight tracks of Direct-to-Hard Disk recording
-Over 40 all new effects available within a modular 4-bus effects processor
-Master compressor and equalizer
-Built-in hard disk drive
-Optional CD-R/DVD drive
-USB 2.0 port for computer connectivity
-CF Type-2 card slot (up to 2GB)
-Chop-Shop 2.0 - slices a stereo loop into individual samples with automatic pad assignment
-Patched Phrases - creates multiple splits in looped samples to ensure proper tempo sync without changing pitch
-Continuous Sample Track - ensures samples play in perfect sync no matter where you start the beat in a loop
-12 Q-link controllers for internal automation, external MIDI control and quick parameter editing
-240 x 128 hinged backlit LCD
-10 built-in analog outputs, plus 8 ADAT-optical outputs and stereo S/PDIF IO
-Powerful new multimode filter
-Two MIDI inputs and Four MIDI outputs
-Turntable phono inputs with RIAA pre-amp
-XLR / 1/4" combo jacks with selectable mic/line levels
-Sample library provided by Loopmasters.com