Akai MPC XL Leak! Is There a New Flagship MPC on the Way?
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Leaked photos for a new Akai MPC XL reveal Live III-style sequencer and MPCe pads, a new Q Link knob configuration, and an MSRP of $2899.
Akai MPC XL Leak
Akai Professional’s MPC X came out in 2017, with the Special Edition model dropping after. The line is certainly due for a refresh – and it looks like that’s about to happen. If new information and photos are to be believed, there’s an Akai MPC XL hitting store shelves in January 2026 with an MSRP of $2899.
The photos show what looks to be the box for a new flagship Akai MPC XL with both front and back shots. The image is the same on both sides, with the rear having additional printed information. The photos seem to have first been shown in a Facebook group, although the link is not working.
A YouTube video from SampleKings has the images, as well as a screenshot of what appears to be a message from the original poster, stating that the MPC XL is already in stock at Guitar Center and will be available on January 20, 2026, for an MSRP of $2899. Keep in mind that none of this information is confirmed.
Akai MPC XL: What We Know
Looking at the rear of (what we assume is) the box, it looks like the Akai MPC XL will have a 10-inch multi-gesture touch display, an audio level display, and channel strip controls. Across the bottom, there’s a touch strip controller, MPCe pads from the Live III, and transport controls.
The interesting part appears to be the horizontal strip of Q Link knobs with multicolored step sequencer buttons running below them.
The upper area of the photo shows the rear panel of the Akai MPC XL, with stereo quarter-inch inputs (configurable as two mono jacks), phono inputs, four stereo quarter-inch outputs (can be used as eight mono outs), two in and four out MIDI DIN jacks, eight TRS CV/Gate jacks, and two USB-A ports. SampleKings guesses that USB-C ports are above this and can’t be seen in the photo due to cropping.
The text explaining the front of the device at the bottom of the box is too small to be legible.
Akai MPC XL: Pricing and Availability
While the box does look pretty real, the price and availability information should be taken with a big ol’ shaker of salt. As mentioned above, the original post claims an MSRP of $2899 and a street date of January 20 of next year.
As soon as we have more information, we’ll let you know.
Akai Professional products are available at Thomann*.
More Information
- Akai Professional homepage
- All about Akai
- All about grooveboxes
- All about samplers
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One response to “Akai MPC XL Leak! Is There a New Flagship MPC on the Way?”
Looks awful