Leaked image of Akai MPC XL flagship standalone workstation with 10-inch touchscreen and MPCe pads
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HardwareDecember 22, 20254 min read

Akai MPC XL Leaked: Flagship Standalone Workstation Coming in January?

Leaked images reveal Akai's rumored MPC XL flagship workstation featuring a 10-inch display, MPCe pads, and CV/Gate connectivity. Expected January 2026.

The MPC X has been Akai's flagship standalone workstation since 2017. That's eight years at the top of the MPC lineup. While we've seen Special Edition colorways and software updates, the hardware itself has remained unchanged. Given the improvements Akai introduced with the MPC Live IIIā€”including 3D-sensing MPCe pads, an 8-core processor, and 8GB of RAMā€”producers have been wondering when the flagship would receive the same treatment.

Recent leaks suggest that wait may soon be over. Images and details of what appears to be the "MPC XL" have surfaced online, pointing to a potential January 2026 announcementā€”likely at NAMM.

What the Leaks Reveal

Based on the leaked images and information circulating online, the MPC XL appears to be a significant redesign rather than a minor refresh. The wider chassis seems to accommodate a dramatically improved layout.

A 10-Inch Multi-Gesture Display

The leaked images show a swiveling touchscreen that appears to have grown to 10 inches, providing substantially more real estate for the MPC's increasingly sophisticated software. If accurate, navigating plugins, browsing samples, and editing sequences would become far more comfortable on a display this size.

Above the main display, there appears to be a dedicated audio level display with channel strip controlsā€”a feature borrowed from traditional mixing consoles that would make sense on a device designed for standalone operation.

MPCe Pads with 3D Sensing

The 16 velocity-sensitive pads appear to feature the same 3D sensing technology introduced on the MPC Live III. This isn't just a minor spec bump. The new pad technology detects not only how hard you strike them but also how you move your fingers after initial contact. Aftertouch becomes dramatically more expressive, allowing for real-time filter sweeps, vibrato, and other continuous modulations.

For finger drummers and live performers, this would elevate the MPC XL into genuinely expressive instrument territory.

The Q-Link knobs remain a defining feature of the MPC X form factor, but Akai appears to have reorganized the layout. The horizontal strip of knobs now seems to include multicolored step sequencer buttons running beneath them. This integration of the step sequencer directly into the main control surface would speed up drum programming workflows considerably.

The leaked images suggest some dedicated function buttons may have been removedā€”longtime MPC X users might need to retrain their muscle memory. However, the trade-off for better step sequencer integration could be worth it for most workflows.

Touch Strip Controller

Borrowed from the Live III, a touch strip on the left side would provide another dimension of real-time control for pitch bend, modulation, note repeat variations, or any assignable parameter.

Rumored Connectivity

Based on what's visible in the leaked images, the rear panel reveals ambitious connectivity:

Connection TypeRumored Specification
Audio InputsStereo 1/4" (configurable as 2x mono) + Phono inputs
Audio Outputs4x stereo 1/4" (configurable as 8x mono)
MIDI2x DIN in, 4x DIN out
CV/Gate8x TRS jacks
USBMultiple USB ports

If confirmed, eight CV/Gate outputs would position the MPC XL as a legitimate Eurorack sequencing hub. Four MIDI outputs would mean addressing a substantial hardware setup without external MIDI interfaces.

Expected Specifications

The MPC XL is expected to match or exceed the Live III's internal specifications:

  • Processor: 8-core CPU
  • RAM: 8GB
  • Storage: 128GB internal (expandable via USB and SD)
  • Software: MPC 3.0

The 8GB of RAM would be particularly significant. Previous MPC hardware shipped with 2-4GB, which limited how many plugins and samples could run simultaneously.

Rumored Pricing and Release

According to the leaks, the MPC XL may carry an MSRP around $2,899. For context, the original MPC X launched at $2,199 in 2017.

The expected announcement is January 2026, with NAMM being the likely venue for an official reveal.

What This Could Mean

Eight years is a long time in music technology. While the original MPC X has held up remarkably well thanks to continuous software updates, the hardware is showing its age. Competing products from Native Instruments, Elektron, and others have pushed standalone workstation expectations considerably higher.

If these leaks prove accurate, the MPC XL wouldn't just be catching upā€”it would re-establish the MPC as the benchmark. The combination of expressive MPCe pads, comprehensive connectivity (especially CV/Gate outputs), a genuinely usable 10-inch display, and modern processing power could create a device that realistically replaces a laptop for many production workflows.

Of course, until Akai makes an official announcement, this remains speculation based on leaked materials. We'll update this article when official details emerge.

For now, producers eyeing a flagship MPC might want to hold off on any purchasesā€”January could bring exactly what they've been waiting for.

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