Old-school Soul Meets Mellow, Malleable MPC Style
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. Sway 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, Sway taps into the soul and grit that defined countless styles of old-school and Golden Age hip-hop production, teeming with grooves that are rife for slipping right into the pocket of your beats. For Sweetwater’s producers, the sonic possibilities of Sway’s dual-layer sound design are a perfect match for the MPC’s hands-on workflow. Across its mellow mélange of pads, guitars, electric pianos, and synths, Sway’s palette of potential is multiplied by the use of iconic hardware and processing units to sample each sound, giving it the ineffable charm that exudes, “NYC in the ’90s” — a masterful touch that emerged via Native Instruments’ collaboration with lauded sound designer and hip-hop heavy hitter Emeric Zubar a.k.a. BLAKE. The performance-focused powerhouse effortlessly weaves percussive panache and soulful sonics into a tapestry of time-tested character, while a slew of modulation-capable effects let your beats breathe and grow as you go. Its 100 pro-grade presets run the gamut of instrumental parts, flush with old-school 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: Sway MPC Edition 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 Sway 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 and styles utilize classic hardware to sample and process instrumental sounds, providing a versatile vault of Golden Era hip-hop character
- 100 presets span synths, guitars, bells, electric pianos, pads, and more for a diverse palette of performance possibilities
- Structural emphasis on real-time playing and live performances means expressivity and personal flourishes are always on full display
- Crafted in collaboration with esteemed sound designer BLAKE a.k.a. Emeric Zubar
- Dual-layer Play series architecture supports near-endless sound design via dynamic, interactive blending
- Variable signal-chain modifications and powerful step sequencer expand studio and stage potential
- Deep customization of per-layer parameters, macro controls, modulation tools, and velocity/aftertouch behavior guarantee instrumental design is tailored to your style
