Rumble in the Jungle
Thanks to the exciting partnership between Akai and Native Instruments, the latter’s Play series plug-ins are ready to wield within the evocative expressivity of the MPC ecosystem. Rhythm Source MPC Edition represents a redesigned take on the cult-collection plug-in that’s been custom-crafted and overhauled to thrive in the distinctive, dynamic MPC architecture. True to its predecessor, Rhythm Source taps into the raw and rumbling sounds that helped craft the UK's sound system culture. For Sweetwater’s producers, the sonic possibilities of Rhythm Source’s dual-layer sound design are a perfect match for the MPC’s hands-on workflow. With a focus on the latest iteration of drum-and-bass stylings, these custom-recorded drum breaks, samples, and loops explore a jungle’s worth of chest-beating patterns primed for rolling breakbeats, slow/fast syncopations, and plenty more with which to energize your dubs. The performance-focused powerhouse effortlessly weaves aggressive percussion and heavyweight sonics into a tapestry of raw, unadulterated energy, while a slew of modulation-capable effects let your beats breathe and grow as you go. Its 165 pro-grade synth presets, pummeling percussion loops, and MASCHINE-exclusive additions run the gamut of instrumental parts, flush with fresh vibes that have been methodically reimagined for the cutting edge of modern production, ready to rip through your studio mix and live shows.
Note: This software expansion requires MPC Key 37, MPC Key 61, MPC One+, MPC One, MPC X, MPC X Special Edition, MPC Live, MPC Live II, MPC Live 3, or MPC XL hardware running MPC version 3.4 or above. Please contact your Sweetwater Sales Engineer with any questions or concerns regarding compatibility.
Related Videos: Rhythm Source MPC Expansion for Standalone MPC Hardware
State of Play: the Native Instruments ethos
Native Instruments’ sound-design prowess has been an integral element in the evolution of myriad permutations of electronic, dance, hip-hop, pop, R&B, and beat-making genres. While no effort is spared with any endeavor, the Play series of plug-ins was crafted with a premium placed on its namesake usage: to play. The series’ range spans numerous styles, eras, and instrumentation, from imaginative vocal synths and boom-bap-inspired drums to sample-based texture warping and scorching dark-techno sonics to glimpse the tip of the aural iceberg. What binds them, however, is their dual-layer design that hosts an array of modulation, dynamics, effects, and playability tools for each layer, intersecting at the user-adjustable balance between the two. Versatile signal-chain customization supplements an additional layer of sound design, including 16-step sequencing, macro-mapping adjustments, key-range editing, and deep modifications to velocity and aftertouch. No two Play Series plug-ins are the same, but every instrument is optimized for imaginative, inventive, and inspiring performances, all in real time.
Akai X Native Instruments: the evolution of MPC magic
When Akai debuted the Music Production Center — the MPC60 — in 1988, this groundbreaking tool transformed the process of making music. As Akai developed the MPC line, innovating and expanding upon its proto-DAW formula, Native Instruments emerged in 1996, officially debuting its modular-synth software, Generator, in 1999. These foundations ultimately flowered into the industry-mainstay virtual instrument, Reaktor. Both companies’ shared penchant for sound design, sonic exploration, and the constellation of DJ/beat-production possibilities led both to the epicenter of artistic potential, waiting to bloom amid the soil nurtured by the boundaries of historic genre, style, and performance through the end of the millennium. MPC Edition instruments and MPC Expansion packs mark the inevitability of this collaboration, transposing Native Instruments’ state-of-the-art sound design for the time-tested wealth of creative potential that defines the iconic MPC interface. From the massively diverse sounds and samples of the MPC Expansion packs to the unrivaled expressive capabilities of MPC Edition virtual instruments, the transformative magic of Native Instruments’ performance prowess is your key to unlocking next-level MPC aural alchemy.
Native Instruments Rhythm Source MPC Edition Features:
- MPC Edition brings Native Instruments’ lauded Play series of plug-ins to Akai’s distinctive hands-on performance ecosystem
- Redesigned visual interfacing and fine-tuned playability considerations ensure seamless use with select MPC models that highlight the best of both companies’ worlds
- Iconic sounds redefine the latest iteration of drum-and-bass stylings that helped define UK sound system culture
- 445 loops, 332 drum samples, and 286 one-shots deliver an expansive array of custom-recorded rhythms
- Explore rolling breakbeats, slow/fast syncopations, decaying samples, bass pressure, and classic vocals
- Crafted in collaboration with Creating the Sound
- Dual-layer Play series architecture supports near-endless sound design via dynamic, interactive blending
- Variable signal-chain modifications and a powerful step sequencer expand studio and stage potential
- Deep customization of per-layer parameters, macro controls, modulation tools, and velocity/aftertouch behavior guarantees instrumental design is tailored to your style