The MPC Sample has arrived at Globe King Records. In this video, I unbox the MPC Sample, take a first look at the hardware, compare its feel and weight with the SP-404MKII, install the latest firmware, and play some of the factory sounds for the first time.
The MPC Sample Is Here
What up? This is Globe Made It from Globe King Records, and I was hyped to finally get my hands on the MPC Sample.
The goal of this video wasn't to make a full review or tutorial. I wanted to document the first experience—opening the box, checking out the hardware, getting everything updated, and hearing what the machine could do.
I'm a firm believer that sometimes you have to be a student before you can become the teacher. So at this stage, I'm learning the machine and figuring out what it can do.
What's Inside the MPC Sample Box?
After opening the box, the MPC Sample itself is the obvious star of the show.
Inside, you also get the basic documentation and accessories needed to get started, including:
- MPC Sample hardware
- Quick Start documentation
- USB-C cable
- Information about MPC Academy
The included documentation gives you a starting point, but if you're new to the MPC workflow, MPC Academy is worth checking out. I started going through some of the videos myself, and they provide a good way to get familiar with the MPC environment.
Looking for an MPC Sample?
If you're interested in picking one up, you can check out the MPC Sample through my affiliate link at zZounds.
Disclosure: Some links on Globe King Records are affiliate links. If you purchase through one of these links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support the channel and Globe King Records.
First Impressions: Build Quality & Pads
Once the MPC Sample was out of the packaging, I wanted to get a feel for the hardware.
My first impression was positive.
The plastic construction felt solid, the knobs felt good, and the pads immediately reminded me of the pads found on the MPC Live 2.
For a beatmaker, the pads are obviously one of the most important parts of the experience. This is something you really have to feel for yourself, especially if you're coming from another pad-based sampler.
And that led me directly to my comparison with another machine I use frequently: the SP-404MKII.
MPC Sample vs. SP-404MKII: The Weight & Pads
One of the first things I noticed was the weight.
I initially thought the MPC Sample might be close to the SP-404MKII in weight, so I put the two side by side to compare them.
They're similar, but they definitely have a different feel.
The bigger difference for me was the pads.
I've spent time with the SP-404MKII, and I really like the feel of its pads. The MPC Sample pads felt different, so I knew I would need to spend some time actually playing the machine before forming a real opinion.
And that's exactly what I intend to do.
This isn't a final review. It's the beginning of the journey.
MPC Sample Hardware & Connections
I also took a quick look around the hardware to see what connections are available.
The MPC Sample includes a microSD card slot, while the rear panel provides several important connections and controls.
The connections I looked at include:
- Headphone output
- Sync
- MIDI
- Audio outputs
- Audio input
- Record gain
- USB
- Power
For someone building a hardware-based beatmaking setup, these connections are important because the MPC Sample isn't something that necessarily needs to exist in isolation.
It's another piece of a larger hardware workflow.
That's something I want to explore more as I continue using it alongside machines like my MPC Live 2, SP-404MKII, S2400 and MPC 2000XL.
Updating the MPC Sample Firmware
Before really getting into the machine, I wanted to make sure the firmware was up to date.
I went to the Akai Professional website and checked the available update instructions.
The MPC Sample was running an older firmware version, and a newer update was available.
I downloaded the latest firmware and transferred the update to the unit.
The MPC Sample rebooted during the installation process, and after a few moments:
Update complete.
Why I Update Firmware First
For a brand-new piece of hardware, I generally want to make sure I'm working with the latest available firmware before I start seriously exploring the machine.
It means that when I start learning the workflow, I'm learning the current version rather than immediately wondering whether a strange behavior is caused by outdated firmware.
First Sound Test
Once the firmware update was finished, it was time for the part every beatmaker actually wants to hear:
The sounds.
I had heard some comments about the internal speaker not being particularly loud, so I wanted to test it for myself.
I also discovered that the position of the unit can make a difference in how the speaker projects the sound. Raising the unit slightly can help direct the sound toward you.
Then I started exploring the factory sounds.
The MPC Sample gives you multiple pad banks, allowing you to move through different groups of sounds.
I selected one of the factory banks, found a sample that caught my attention, and started looping it.
And that's when the machine started to feel less like a new piece of hardware sitting on the desk and more like a beatmaking instrument.
I'm Not Teaching the MPC Sample Yet
One thing I want to make clear about this first video:
I'm not going to pretend I know everything about the MPC Sample yet.
I'm learning it.
Before I start making tutorials about a machine, I want to actually spend time with it, understand the workflow, experiment, make mistakes and figure out what works.
That's going to be part of the Globe King journey with this machine.
The next videos can go much deeper into sampling, sequencing, effects, beatmaking and the different ways I can integrate the MPC Sample into my existing setup.
My MPC Sample Journey Starts Here
This unboxing is really just the beginning.
The goal isn't simply to collect another piece of hardware. I want to actually make music with it and discover where it fits into my workflow.
If you've been following Globe King Records, you already know that I like getting hands-on with different machines.
I've been making beats with hardware including the:
- MPC Live 2
- MPC 2000XL
- S2400
- SP-404MKII
- Maschine MK3
- Yamaha Motif ES
Now the MPC Sample joins the lineup.
And I'm looking forward to seeing what happens when I really start pushing it.
Watch the Full MPC Sample Unboxing
If you want to see the complete first experience—from opening the box to the firmware update and first sounds—check out the video above.
And if you're into hardware beatmaking, sampling, MPC workflows and old-school-inspired production, subscribe to the Globe King Records YouTube channel.
I post beats and production videos using different machines, and there's plenty more coming.
This is Globe Made It.
Globe King Records.
Let's make some noise.
Gear Mentioned
MPC Sample: zZounds – MPC Sample
USB-C Cable: zZounds – USB-C Cable
SP-404MKII: (link coming soon)
About Globe King Records
Globe King Records is an independent music and production platform focused on beatmaking, sampling, hardware production and the creative process behind making music.
From classic hardware workflows to modern production tools, Globe King is about getting hands-on, experimenting and creating.
Globe Made It.
