Akai Seeds MPC Sample Key Units to Independent Firmware Developers

Akai has not yet issued a formal announcement for the MPC Sample Key, but the company is already displaying the custom modifications that outside developers are creating for the device.

The instrument is a 37-key version of the budget MPC Sample. It will likely run software similar to the existing MPC Sample, adjusted to work with a traditional keyboard layout and pitch and mod wheels. Unlike the higher-end MPC Key 37, the new unit lacks pads, requiring users to trigger samples directly with the keys.

Akai previewed this community work in short Instagram Reels posted on October 27 and October 28, 2026. The clips show various vibe-coded mods that add new synthesizers to the hardware. These include Native Instruments Massive, virtual analog synths, and FM synths. One modification runs an entirely custom operating system containing several different synths.

The videos suggest these community features may eventually reach the standard MPC Sample. That unit was shown running several vibe-coded synths built with Claude. This detail raises the possibility that Akai intends to open-source the entire MPC Sample platform, though the company has not confirmed that plan.

Jack O'Donnell, CEO of inMusic, told The Verge that the company's brands, particularly Akai, plan to embrace the modding community. The strategy involves seeding early devices to developers. The effort is also expected to include open-sourcing some software and providing an SDK for those who want to build their own tools for the instruments.