Best Sellers
Top products on Reverb over the past 90 days
Best Sellers in Keyboards and Synths - Samplers
- 1
Elektron Digitakt Eight-Voice Digital Drum Computer/Sampler
84 available from $500Crafted with a formidable sound engine sporting 1GB of onboard storage, eight intuitive MIDI tracks for your hardware, and eight stereo audio tracks complete with individual multi-function filters and an LFO, the Elektron Digitakt goes beyond the company's analog history into seamless, pristine performance. More than capable of acting as the command center for your live rig, the long-awaited Digitakt also comes packing USB-supported Overbridge technology to plug directly into your preferred DAW for total control. A sleek piece of powerful technology you'd expect from the minds at Elektron. - 2
Roland SP-404MkII
53 available from $410The fully redesigned 404 includes everything producers loved about the original sampler, but adds a ton of modern upgrades: velocity-sensitive pads, a screen for visual slicing and chopping, multiple effects per pad, 16GB storage, and much more. With an ultralight design and AA battery power, the SP-404MKII is highly portable. Whether you're making beats at home, at the studio, or performing on stage, the new 404 can be your constant production companion. - 3
Teenage Engineering EP–133 K.O. II
36 available from $250 - 4
Teenage Engineering OP-1 Portable Synthesizer & Sampler
36 available from $750The Teenage Engineering OP-1 is a revolutionary portable synthesizer, sampler, and controller packed with features and sounds. Ten synth engines, eight built-in effects, 4-track recorder, and a brilliantly simple interface pushes the boundaries of what a small gadget like this can do. Shop Reverb.com today for the best deals on new and used Teenage Engineering OP-1 synths. - 5
Native Instruments Maschine Plus
32 available from $625The Maschine hardware-software platform has, up until now, been a winning combination of pad-controller playability and limitless sonic options via a computer. For the first time, the Maschine Plus (stylized as Maschine+) brings all of that power into one standalone machine. With 4 GB of RAM, 32 GB of onboard memory, a 24 GB library of sounds, and two high-res display screens, the Maschine+ is essentially a powerful computer all its own, primed for music-making. A variety of connectivity options—and even a built-in recording interface—allows you to record easily or use it to control other software or hardware instruments. - 6
Native Instruments Maschine MKIII
75 available from $290The third iteration of the legendary Native Instruments Maschine—the controller that paved the way for a new generation of beatmaking. When paired with a computer and NI's software, there are limitless ways to make music. Chart-topping synth sounds, festival-ready drum hits, and so much more—it's all here to explore. - 7
Teenage Engineering OP-1 Field Portable Synthesizer Workstation
24 available from $1,699 - 8
Roland TR-8S Rhythm Performer Drum Machine
49 available from $500Born of the most famous and influential drum machines ever made, the TR-8S combines the best of its Roland heritage with modern production techniques and professional sound design. The result? A forward-thinking, performance-tuned instrument unlike any other. Build your dream kit from the most iconic drum sounds of all time, plus the finest selection of samples from our vast library—or import your own custom samples. Tap, tune, and tweak with hands-on controls and production tools that make your patterns move and groove. And why keep this kind of percussive power confined to the studio? The TR-8S was literally made to play live. - 9
Akai MPC One Standalone MIDI Sequencer
54 available from $412 - 10
Elektron Octatrack MkII Dynamic 8-Track Performance Sampler
29 available from $1,140The Elektron Octatrack MkII takes the company's flagship sequencer and infuses it with vanguard technology and features designed to make your performance and audio manipulation an expansive, seamless experience. 16 total tracks (eight stereo audio, eight dedicated MIDI) handles even the biggest electronic rigs, giving you an OLED screen-equipped command center stacked with three LFOs per track, onboard effects, real-time pitch shifting/time stretching, and the fan-favorite Elektron 16-step sequencer. A formidable piece of gear that adds new versatility and dimensions to any setup. - 11
Akai MPC Live II Standalone Sampler / Sequencer
57 available from $30 - 12
Elektron Analog Rytm MKII 8-Voice Analog Drum Computer & Sampler
23 available from $1,260Built with the same eight powerful analog drums voices that established its predecessor as a flagship machine along with a powerful new sampling engine and design features, the Elektron Analog Rytm MKII brings an even more depth to organic drum sound with fine-tuned digital mastery. The unmistakably analog tone of deep basses, full toms, and crisp hi-hats can be mixed with digital samples taken from the sequencer for unprecedented nuance along with a pristine OLED display allows easy navigation through 1GB of onboard storage and built-in effects like delay, reverb, and distortion. An absolute command center. - 13
Korg Volca Sample 2 Digital Sample Sequencer
21 available from $100Though it makes sampling easy and fun, the Korg Volca Sample 2 is no toy. It offers 8MB (or up to 130 seconds) of memory, letting you add your own sounds easily via a micro USB port. (Don't have your own? It comes with 150 custom sounds.) From there, you can edit, morph, pitch, and sequence your samples, with a 16-step sequencer. When running on AA batteries, it can last 10 hours, so it's perfect for couch-jamming or roadtrips. - 14
Akai MPC1000 Music Production Center
36 available from $17.87Developed by Akai in tandem with the well-known electronic engineer Roger Linn, the MPC (Music Production Center) is in essence a powerful drum machine with an interactive interface of signature rubber squares. The units are also marked by the incorporation of extensive sampling abilities and MIDI sequencing, which became more powerful in newer models. The MPCs are some of the most popular production tools for old-school and modern hip-hop and rap.
The MPC1000 were built with the corrected rubber pads issued as a fix for the previous model.
Years of production: 2003-2009
Product specs: 16 touch pads, 16 MB sampling memory, onboard time stretch and pitch shift, four pad banks, two MIDI inputs and four MIDI outputs - 15
Akai MPC Live II Standalone Sampler / Sequencer Retro Edition
5 available from $1,000 - 16
Roland TR-6S Rhythm Composer
37 available from $285The TR-6S Rhythm Performer draws inspiration from the famous analog TR-606 Drumatix, placing those sounds (along with many other drums and synths) into a six-track sequencer. The new TR-6S follows in the footsteps of the popular TR-8S, but for a lower, more budget-friendly price. - 17
Roland SP-404SX Linear Wave Sampler
12 available from $305.63Bringing together expanded features like high-fidelity 16-bit linear sampling, an expanded array of 29 onboard DSP effects including filter and voice effects, and 12 assignable trigger pads, the Roland SP-404SX Linear Wave Sampler offers an armory of electronic drum sounds. Whether used as a standalone or hooked up with Roland's SPD pad series, this model's versatility is bar none. - 18
Native Instruments Maschine Mikro MKIII
37 available from $135 - 19
Teenage Engineering OP-Z 16-Track Synthesizer & Sequencer
43 available from $349Boasting more DSP sound-shaping might than the OP-1 while clocking in at about half of its size, the Teenage Engineering OP-Z Synthesizer & Sequencer unlocks the most expansive world of creativity the Swedish company has created to date. The 16 tracks not only tailor sounds from rich pads to deep kicks with onboard effects arranged in a modular format, but can also be used to sequence lights and 3D graphics through iOS devices. An instrument of pure creation. - 20
Akai MPC Key 61 Standalone Workstation Synthesizer
29 available from $999 - 21
1010 Music Blackbox Desktop Compact Sampling Studio
15 available from $401.14 - 22
Akai MPC X Standalone Sampler / Sequencer
25 available from $1,050Crafted with the same 16 velocity- and pressure-sensitive RGB pads along with 16GB on onboard storage and a 10.1" multi-touch display, the Akai MPC X Standalone Sampler/Sequencer channels the interface of the iconic original in a piece of gear capable of replacing computers in your live setup. Two MIDI ins, four MIDI outs, and eight configurable CV/Gate outputs give you complete control over your analog synths and drum machines and live rig in a masterful piece of equipment. - 23
Casio SK-1 32-Key Sampling Keyboard
20 available from $114.61 - 24
Roland AIRA TR-8 Rhythm Performer
23 available from $300Cramming exacting emulations of the classic TR-808 and TR-909 drum machines into one sleek package might seem impossible to analog purists, especially when fitting that same box with even more sounds and functionality -- but everyone owes it to themselves to check out the Roland AIRA TR-8 Rhythm Producer and become a believer. Create new kits by mixing elements from the TR-series drum machines, punch your performance in with the old-school step sequencer, and tap into a world of control simply not available on the 808 or 909. - 25
Akai MPC2000XL MIDI Production Center
24 available from $222.89The Akai MPC2000XL Production Center is an expansion on one of the classic beat machines of the 1990s, sporting a throwback feel and plenty of power in one chassis. Sharing the same 32 voices of polyphony, floppy disk storage, and 64-track sampling capacity as its predecessor, the XL incorporated a slew of new features like four onboard keys for quick bank access, multi-program playback, and the intuitive Next Sequence key to quickly kick in a new section. A classic that's been used by artists from DJ Shadow to Kanye West, the MPC2000XL is a worthy addition to any home producer's rig. - 26
Akai MPC Live Standalone Sampler / Sequencer
22 available from $528Channeling the spirit of its famous predecessor into a modern unit made for portable playability, the Akai MPC Live Standalone Sampler/Sequencer is a versatile option for home production and performance alike. The 7" multi-touch screen and 16 pressure-sensitive RGB pads are your window into an enormous 16GB onboard storage preloaded with Vault 2.0 sound library loaded with classic samples and new sounds alike. Whether you're creating in Ableton or crushing a show, this is a powerful piece of gear. - 27
Korg Volca Sample Digital Sampler & Sequencer
20 available from $90Korg's Volca Sample gives you hands-on control over 100 built-in samples and well beyond thanks to the AudioPocket iOS app, which lets you create and load in your own sounds and noises. Dig into your sounds with pitch and reverse effects, funk it up with the swing control, or shorten up a kick sample with the decay control to give it more impact. This highly tweakable miniature sequencer can also be easily synced with other Volca and Electribe series gear to build a powerful rig without surrendering a massive amount of your studio or live setup's real estate. - 28
Elektron Octatrack DPS-1 Sampler
5 available from $750The Elektron Octatrack is more than a new take on sampling: it's a reinvention of the classic sampling machine. Providing 8 individual sample and sequencing tracks, the the Octatrack is a comprehensive and pioneering studio device that is also aimed at performance due to the intuitive user interface. In addition to providing 16 banks of 256 patterns, the Octatrack can also heavily process samples and incoming audio with dynamic pitch shifting and time stretching abilities to common effects like delays and filters.
- 29
Akai MPC One + Standalone MIDI Sequencer
11 available from $525 - 30
Korg Drumlogue Hybrid Drum Machine
26 available from $295 - 31
Elektron Analog Rytm Drum Machine
14 available from $820The Elektron Analog Rytm Drum Machine stands as a pillar of modern all-analog drum production units thanks to features like a 12-track Elektron sampler, 12 drum pads, and a whopping eight drum voices. In addition to the voices, each voice features additional customizable elements like individual LFOs, analog percussion sound generators, analog overdrives, and analog multimode filters for an almost limitless amount of true vintage drum sounds. Top it all off with analog master compression and distortion and you have a modern, vintage-voiced workhorse ready for the studio or stage. - 32
Akai MPC2000 MIDI Production Center
22 available from $425Developed by Akai in tandem with the well-known electronic engineer Roger Linn, the MPC (Music Production Center) is in essence a powerful drum machine with an interactive interface of signature rubber squares. The units are also marked by the incorporation of extensive sampling abilities and MIDI sequencing, which became more powerful in newer iterations. The MPCs are some of the most popular production tools for old-school and modern hip-hop and rap.
The MPC2000 is a streamlined, pared back rendition of the MPC3000 featuring a floppy disk drive and capable of 64-track sequencing as opposed to 99-track sequencing.
Years of production: 1997-2000
Product specs: 16 touch pads, 2 MB sampling memory, 16 bit 44.1 kHz sampling rate, two MIDI inputs and two MIDI outputs
Associated artists: Trent Reznor, The xx, DiViNCi - 33
Boss SP-303 Dr. Sample
One available for $440 - 34
Roland SP-404A Linear Wave Sampler
13 available from $300Roland's SP-404A features 16-bit linear sampling, 29 effects with smooth switching, 12 performance pads, and a built-in mic. It's packed with over 100 stereo samples, effects, and one-shots from Loopmasters, making it an excellent performance tool that's super easy to take with you. Create your own samples on the go, load them into the machine via SD card, or import right from your computer to get started making music wherever you are. - 35
Akai MPC One Standalone MIDI Sequencer Retro Edition
3 available from $550 - 36
Akai MPC Key 37 Standalone Workstation Synthesizer
3 available from $881.08 - 37
Boss SP-202 Dr. Sample Sampler 1998 - 2001
14 available from $219The Boss SP-202 is an excellent vintage machine for budget-conscious beat-makers on the go. - 38
Ensoniq ASR-10 Sampling Keyboard
17 available from $19The Ensoniq ASR-10 is a legendary 1990's digital music sampling workstation. Ensoniq's "Advanced Sampling Recorder" technology was significant for the time using 44.1 kHz sampling for CD quality fidelity and tons of useful features and effects from a pro-grade sampler. The biggest difference between the ASR-10 and other workstations of its time was it's ability to use the synthesizer architecture of Ensoniq's other synthesizers stored inside of it's memory, expanding its possibilities moving beyond sampling duties. The ASR-10 had a very versatile feature set, upgradable and expandable storage and RAM, digital effects processor, and a large modulation matrix with 15 modulation sources making it one of the more significant pro workstations of the early 1990s
Years Produced: 1992-1998
Notable Players: Autechre, Depeche Mode, Kanye West, Pharrell Williams - 39
Native Instruments Maschine MKII Groove Production Studio
21 available from $80Native Instruments' second generation of their popular Maschine hardware-software production studio took a huge leap forward. The standard Maschine mkII was upgraded with huge full-color displays, more sensitive RGB-lit pads and numerous workflow improvements. The software received a massive upgrade as well, with improved sampling, sequencing and synthesis tools, including highly acclaimed new drum synths. Whether you're looking to craft rap beats, EDM hits or add new dimensions to your post-production scoring rig, the Maschine mkII is a top-flight tool. - 40
Sonicware Liven Texture Lab 27-Key Sampling Groovebox
One available for $364.02 - 41
Sonicware SmplTrek Portable Production Sampler
6 available from $300 - 42
Akai MPC3000 MIDI Production Center
5 available from $95The Akai MPC3000 Production Center revolutionized rap, hip-hop, and R&B when it was introduced in 1994. An upgrade to the renowned MPC60, the MPC3000 was a known favorite of artists like Dr. Dre and Puff Daddy for its 44.1Khz sampling rate, 99 track sequencer, and 32-note polyphony synthesizer. If you want to get to the heart of '90s production, this is an all-in-one solution. - 43
Korg Electribe ER-1
3 available from $210Included in the introductory generation of the Electribe, the ER-1 is a drum-modeling, analog synthesizer.
Features: two memory banks, 256 rhythm patterns, 16 onboard effects, 64 steps, motion sequencer, - 44
BASTL Instruments MicroGranny 2 Monophonic Granular Sampler
8 available from $200 - 45
Roland SP-404 Sampler
6 available from $250 - 46
Akai MPC500 Music Production Center
9 available from $278.90Developed by Akai in tandem with the well-known electronic engineer Roger Linn, the MPC (Music Production Center) is in essence a powerful drum machine with an interactive interface of signature rubber squares. The units are also marked by the incorporation of extensive sampling abilities and MIDI sequencing, which became more powerful in newer models. The MPCs are some of the most popular production tools for old-school and modern hip-hop and rap.
The MPC500 is the smallest and most portable MPC model.
Years of production: ca. 2009-2012
Product specs: 12 touch pads, 16 MB sampling memory, onboard time stretch and pitch shift, four pad banks, one MIDI input and one MIDI outputs - 47
Korg Electribe Sampler 2 Music Production Station
25 available from $250Summoning the same lightning-fast production and rig connectivity as the first iteration along with a demanded chain pattern function and new cache of samples, the Korg Electribe Sampler 2 Music Production Station is a high-powered brain for your electronic rig in the size of a paperback book. 24-voice polyphony and a 16-step sequencer give you options from grimy beats to thick basses as a standalone experience, and when paired with other gear, the Sampler 2's onboard effects and intuitive interface lead you to new inspiration whether on stage or in your home studio. - 48
Akai MPX8 SD Sample Player
15 available from $94The Akai MPX8 SD Sample Player offers up an easy means to incorporate your favorite electronic sounds in a compact and affordable package. Able to load any SD or SDHC card, the MPX8 features eight assignable velocity-sensitive pads for triggering everything from an 808 kick to a full looping phrase with ease. Coming with your standard MIDI ins/outs along with USB MIDI, this little titan also functions seamlessly with any MIDI-enabled gear or your favorite DAW. - 49
Akai MPC Live II Standalone Sampler / Sequencer Gold Edition
2 available from $850 - 50
JoMox Alpha Base Analog Drum Synthesizer
5 available from $1,395 - 51
Native Instruments Maschine Studio
27 available from $199.99With Maschine Studio, music software stalwart Native Instruments offers a wonder of a controller. A true fusion of hardware and software, a range of pads, buttons, and two full-color LCD screens allow users to chop, slice, and dice samples and instrument tracks with extreme precision. It’s a great solution for musicians who want maximum computing power, but all of the tactile response of hardware. Maschine Studio comes with a range NI’s synths, drum machines, effects, and samples, and four MIDI ports, which guarantees that Maschine Studio can seamless sync with other gear. - 52
Roland S-760
12 available from $295 - 53
Korg Electribe 2
29 available from $220 - 54
Akai S900 MIDI Digital Sampler 1986
9 available from $550 - 55
Akai XR20 Beat Production Station
9 available from $122.21The Akai XR20 Beat Production Station is a self-contained music-making command center, ready to pick up and go wherever and whenever the idea for your next song pops in your head. Able to operate on an AC adapter or battery power, the XR20 packs over 700 sounds from drums to synths generated with 32-note polyphony for an immersive experience with plenty of depth. Not just for beats, this tiny titan also employs Pattern Play mode which allows assignment of different phrases to pads, and with the added mic output, you can get a song up and running while you're still on the bus. - 56
Akai S-950 Sampler
4 available from $71.85The rackmount machine that started a revolution in sampling, the Akai S-950 Sampler's importance in the development of modern music cannot be overstated. The 12-bit stereo sampling, 7.5kHz to 40kHz variable sampling rates, and 63 seconds of sampling time allowed musicians to traverse new frontiers in electronic production and attracted icons from Prince to Dr. Dre to Bladerunner composer Vangelis. - 57
Korg Electribe ESX-1 Music Production Sampler
9 available from $400The Korg Electribe ESX-1 Music Production Sampler brings everything together you need in a streamlined package to quickly and intuitively craft tracks on the fly from beginning to end. Create and store up to 256 patterns and up to 64 songs in the onboard memory with options like motion sequencing, three effect processors, and a ribbon-controlled arpeggiator for total command. Powered with Korg's Valve Force circuitry and two real built-in vacuum tubes, this discontinued model is nevertheless a powerful piece of gear. - 58
Akai MPC2500 Music Production Center
12 available from $84.01The Akai MPC2500 Music Production Center brought the company's flagship product into the 21st Century by incorporating USB and CD/ROM capabilities into an already powerful machine. Packing a 16MB sampling memory and 24-bit 96kHz sampling rate, this midrange model combined a more attractive price tag with the production power that originally made the MPC a rap and hip-hop production favorite. Excellent option for an all-in-one beat center. - 59
Elektron Digitakt II
3 available from $999 - 60
Akai MPC One Standalone MIDI Sequencer Gold Edition
6 available from $420 - 61
Akai S3000XL MIDI Stereo Digital Sampler 1996
10 available from $20 - 62
Home Bake Instruments Tapes Loop Tape Sampler
9 available from $97.47 - 63
Native Instruments Maschine Mikro MkI Groove Production Studio
11 available from $55The Native Instruments Maschine Mikro MkI is a compact version of the first generation Maschine that eschews the bank of encoders and LCD displays. It still features the same great 16 pad layout and deep integration with the Maschine software though, making this a powerful, portable solution for beatmakers and EDM producers alike. From sequencing synths to slicing samples, the Maschine hybrid hardware-software approach has become a dominant force in modern electronic music production. While this first generation hardware has been succeeded by the mkII models, producers seeking entry into this powerful ecosystem on a budget should definitely check the Maschine Mikro mkI out. - 64
Akai MPC Renaissance Groove Production Studio
16 available from $375The Akai MPC Renaissance is a reinvention of the classic MPC workflow, adapting it from a hardware based sampler and sequencer into a hybrid software and hardware approach. Paired with Akai's MPC software the Renaissance controller provides everything you need to emulate the MPCs of yesteryear or explore the future of beat production. Centered around the legendary bank of 16 velocity sensitive pads, the Renaissance adds 16 encoders sporting LED indicators for extensive parameter control that maintains tight integration with the software. With a built-in audio interface you can monitor your tracks directly from the unit, and every function from transport to sequencing can be managed from the full-featured controls. If you're looking to take your MPC experience to the next level and enjoy a computer-based workflow, the MPC Renaissance is a can't miss production tool. - 65
Roland AIRA TR-8 Rhythm Performer with 7x7 Expansion
2 available from $399 - 66
Pioneer Toraiz SP-16 Sampler and Sequencer
2 available from $950With the Toraiz-SP-16 Sampler and Sequencer, Pioneer aimed to bridge the gap between DJs and live electronic musicians. Similar to Elektron’s Octatrack and Akai’s MPC Live, the Toraiz SP-16 is a powerful groovebox, with great sampling, synthesis (hell, Dave Smith filters!), and sequencing capabilities. While it may be attractive to some DJs, this machine is really at its best as a potent sound design and compositional tool. - 67
Roland TR-66 Rhythm Arranger
11 available from $340 - 68
Akai S1000 Midi Stereo Digital Sampler
6 available from $25 - 69
Korg MS1 MicroSampler
11 available from $275In the same way the company made synthesis accessible to a larger, curious audience with the Microkorg, the Korg MicroSampler is intended to initiate newcomers to the world of sampling while having enough tricks on deck to keep seasoned players engaged. Create up to 16 onboard patterns using the keys and built-in vocoder and then loop, slice, and chop them to your heart's desire for entirely new creations. - 70
Akai S2000 Sampler
13 available from $145.61 - 71
Native Instruments Maschine mkI Music Production Studio
15 available from $60Native Instrument's Maschine mkI's hybrid approach changed the groove production market on its first release. From making hip hop beats to creating your own EDM tracks, the Maschine is a genre spanning power house that includes powerful tools for sampling, sequencing and arranging entire songs. Comprised of the dedicated Maschine controller paired with powerful Native Instruments software, Maschine is designed to expand into whatever sonic territory you want to explore as a producer. It features 16 velocity sensitive pads with 8 dedicated encoders for parameter control, plus LCD displays and controls for all other essential functions including transport, editing and mixing. It has been supplanted by the Maschine mkII, but for producers looking for a more affordable option the mkI controller still pairs with the current version of the software. - 72
Roland MV-8000
2 available from $425The Roland MV-8000 production studio allows for sampling and beat production in the box. It features a built-in virtual analog bass synth, linear and pattern-style composing, audio and MIDI integration, 40 GB of memory, and up to 136 recording tracks. The 16 touch pads are velocity- and aftertouch-sensitive. - 73
Akai MPC4000 Music Production Center
4 available from $1,350 - 74
E-MU Systems SP-1200 8-Voice Drum Sampler
15 available from $166.89 - 75
Akai MPC3000LE MIDI Production Center
3 available from $3,150 - 76
Pioneer Toraiz Squid Multitrack Sequencer
15 available from $325 - 77
Akai S20 Stereo Phrase Sampler
2 available from $29.99 - 78
Korg Electribe ER-1 MK 2
3 available from $279.99 - 79
E-MU Systems E6400 Ultra Rackmount 128-Voice Sampler Workstation
One available for $616.04 - 80
Korg Electribe ES-1
2 available from $200Combining the functionality of both analog synthesizer and drum machine, the Korg Electribe series was crafted as a means for all-in-one live music production. The Electribe features a streamlined interface provides the ability to control and tweak synth and drum patterns as well as bass lines.
The ES-1 iteration included expanded sampling capabilities.
Years of production: 1999-present - 81
Akai MPC X Special Edition Standalone Sampler / Sequencer
4 available from $2,000 - 82
MFB Tanzmaus
3 available from $735 - 83
Korg Electribe 2 Music Production Station
3 available from $299.99For two decades, the Korg Electribe has been a mainstay in the groovebox and drum machine categories. With the Electribe 2, Korg delivers a great makeover both in form factor and sound. Full of great samples, tweakable synth sounds, and a great 64-track sequencer, the Electribe 2 is a great point of entry for novices as well as a solid workhouse for professionals, too. - 84
Native Instruments Maschine Mikro mkII Groove Production Studio
10 available from $44The Native Instruments Maschine Mikro mkII is a more compact version of the standard second generation Maschine. It drops the full-color displays and extra encoders but retains the great RGB-lit pad bank and function buttons. If you're looking to get into the Maschine workflow on a budget, want a controller for on-the-go use, or just need some great pads without the rest of the workflow enhancements of the larger models, then the Maschine Mikro is a great choice. - 85
Akai MPC Touch Drum Machine Controller
4 available from $313.62Get tons of drum machine, sampling, and MIDI power in one small product with the Akai MPC Touch. The MPC Touch, which stands for Music Production Center, was designed with electronic engineer Grammy Lifetime Technical Achievement winner Roger Linn and gives you total control over your music with its interactive display interface, which lets you zoom into the nitty-gritty of your waveforms, and 16 touch pads, as well as a step sequencer, looper, and sample editor. - 86
Elektron Octatrack MkII Anniversary Edition Dynamic 8-Track Performance Sampler
2 available from $1,375 - 87
Akai S612 MIDI Digital Sampler 1985
9 available from $855 - 88
E-MU Systems Drumulator 8-Voice Drum Sampler
8 available from $10.90 - 89
E-MU Systems ESI 4000 Rackmount 128-Voice Digital Sampler
3 available from $305.62 - 90
IK Multimedia UNO Drum Analog/PCM Drum Machine
21 available from $125 - 91
Akai S5000 Sampler
10 available from $150 - 92
Akai MPC5000 Music Production Center
9 available from $40Developed by Akai in tandem with the well-known electronic engineer Roger Linn, the MPC (Music Production Center) is in essence a powerful drum machine with an interactive interface of signature rubber squares. The units are also marked by the incorporation of extensive sampling abilities and MIDI sequencing, which became more powerful in newer models. The MPCs are some of the most popular production tools for old-school and modern hip-hop and rap.
Years of production: 2008-2013
Product specs: 16 touch pads, virtual analog synthesizer and arpeggiator, 64 MB sampling memory, 64-voice drum and phrase sampler, four pad banks, one MIDI input and one MIDI outputs - 93
Akai MPC60 Integrated MIDI Sequencer and Drum Sampler
One available for $2,322Developed by Akai in tandem with the well-known electronic engineer Roger Linn, the MPC (Music Production Center) is in essence a powerful drum machine with an interactive interface of signature rubber squares. The units are also marked by the incorporation of extensive sampling abilities and MIDI sequencing, which became more powerful in newer iterations. The MPCs are some of the most popular production tools for old-school and modern hip-hop and rap.
The MPC60 is the company's original model and draws its design and technical features from the Linn 9000 and Sequential Circuits Inc. Studio 440.
Years of production: 1988-1991
Product specs: 16 touch pads, 750 kB sampling memory, 40 kHz sampling rate, 16 voice polyphony, two MIDI inputs and four MIDI outputs
Associated artists: Trent Reznor, The xx, DiViNCi - 94
Roland SP-555 Sampler
10 available from $346.18The Roland SP-555 Sampler is a toolkit of electronic musicians, featuring 16 drum pads, Loop Capture mode, on-board performance effects, and compact flash memory. It also offers conversion software for importing and exporting WAV and AIFF files. - 95
Ensoniq ASR-10 Rackmount Advanced Sampling Recorder 1992
7 available from $19 - 96
Zoom SampleTrak ST-224 Sampler
5 available from $250 - 97
E-MU Systems Emax 61-Key 8-Voice Sampler Workstation
2 available from $1,295 - 98
E-MU Systems ESI-32 Rackmount 32-Voice Sampler Workstation
4 available from $112.01 - 99
Roland SP-606
4 available from $425.63 - 100
Korg Electribe-S mkII ES-1 mkII Rhythm Production Sampler
4 available from $182.96