Behringer KICK is a standalone sampler and production center in the Akai MPC One mould: a 7-inch touchscreen, 16 RGB pads in eight banks, four assignable knobs, a jog wheel and a touch strip, with a sampler, step sequencer, looper and more than 300 effects. Four CV/Gate jacks and 5-pin MIDI connect it to synths and modular gear.
What sets it apart is the software model. Music Tribe has published the KICK application, its audio engine and the hardware protocol on GitHub under the AGPL licence, so anyone can modify or replace the firmware. Behringer's target retail price is around US$150, with no release date yet.
The trade-off is uncertainty: the stock JAM DAW software has not been demonstrated, and storage, polyphony and battery details are still missing. Our full Behringer KICK first look compares it with the MPC One G2, MPC Sample and SP-404MKII, and the Akai MPC buyer's guide covers the in-stock alternatives.