Akai AMX Mixing Surface

Akai Professional has entered the DJ mixer world with their latest product called the AMX mixing surface. The AMX is a two channel control surface that works as plug-and-play hardware for Serato DJ, enabling you to use turntables or CDJs with its phono/line inputs. One cool feature about this mixer is being able to navigate your virtual crates on your laptop without having to touch your keyboard by using the search nob located at the top center of the controller. The cherry they added on top of this sundae is another new product called the Akai AFX, an effects controller that works hand in hand with the AMX. For additional features and more info, check out the demo videos below and visit the official Akai Professional website.

Akai MPC Renaissance

Akai Pro rang in the new year by introducing one of their newest products called the MPC Renaissance. I got the alert on this product by email, then clicked the image sent to take me to their website, only to be disappointed by a lackluster video that was reminiscent of a mainstream rap video. I didn't know who these "producers" were and it had no mention of how this product works or it's capabilities (which is why I chose to NOT post the video here). Personally, I would have liked to see someone who's notable for using the precursors to this, like Pete Rock, Jeremy Ellis or DJ Mitsu.

Enough of my ranting. They don't give a whole lot of info, but it does say (after READING) that you are able to switch to vintage modes accessing sounds from the MPC 3000 and MPC 60. Just check out the product details below and visit their site. They will also be present at NAMM 2012 featuring this product and conducting demos.

Akai Pro MPC