Akai Professional partners with Spitfire Audio

A major hardware platform just cracked open its walls, letting a boutique sampling house plug straight into MPC workflows.

Akai and Spitfire partnership launch

• Akai Professional and Spitfire Audio entered their first formal collaboration.
• The deal places Spitfire instruments inside the MPC ecosystem.
• Both brands framed the move as long-term, not a one-off drop.

NAMM reveal and hardware context

• The partnership surfaced at The NAMM Show 2026.
• Announcement coincided with the debut of the MPC XL.
• Timing tied the software news to flagship hardware momentum.

First instrument release details

• Originals Intimate Strings arrives first on MPC hardware.
• The library centers on a small string ensemble.
• Recording sessions took place at AIR Studios.
• Emphasis leans toward warmth and emotional realism.

Workflow and sound integration

• Spitfire Audio’s sampling approach adapts to MPC control.
• The MPC environment keeps performance hands-on.
• Cinematic textures blend with beat-focused creation styles.

Future expansion signals

• Additional Spitfire libraries are planned for MPC.
• Both companies confirmed more releases are coming.
• Specific timelines were not disclosed.

Spitfire leadership perspective

• Paul Thomson described the project as performance-led.
• His comments stressed focused standalone instrument design.
• Longstanding ties to inMusic brands shaped the collaboration.

Akai brand positioning

• Andy Mac highlighted emotional depth gains.
• His remarks framed the sounds as cinematic yet playable.
• MPC users were positioned as direct beneficiaries.