Akai MPC One+ vs. Polyend Play+: Battle of the Beat Machines

The Akai MPC One+ and Polyend Play+ are two exciting samplers released in 2023. Each offers unique features for music makers, but which one is perfect for you? Let’s dive into their worlds!

Welcome to the world of music-making magic! Today, we’re comparing two amazing machines that help you create beats, melodies, and more. Meet the Akai MPC One+ and the Polyend Play+. Both are powerful tools for making music without needing a computer. But each has its own special tricks. Whether you’re a budding beatmaker or an experienced performer, this guide will help you decide which sampler is your perfect match.

Meet the Machines

Akai MPC One+

The Akai MPC One+ is a powerful music-making machine. It’s like having a whole studio in a box! With a large 7-inch touchscreen and 16 colorful pads, it’s perfect for tapping out beats and melodies. It’s built to be fast and creative, with 128-note polyphony and a variety of effects like EQ, reverb, and delay. You can store your sounds on its internal SSD and connect with other gear using MIDI and USB.

Polyend Play+

The Polyend Play+ is a modern groovebox that’s great for live performances. It has a unique 8x8 pad grid with 16 tracks for pattern-based sequencing. You can load samples with a microSD card and control your music with a high-res color screen. The Polyend Play+ is perfect for electronic music producers who want to perform live or experiment with song ideas on the go.

Features Face-Off

Pads and Playability

When it comes to pads, the Akai MPC One+ features 16 velocity-sensitive RGB pads. These pads are colorful and responsive, making it fun to tap out rhythms and melodies. On the other hand, the Polyend Play+ boasts an impressive 8x8 pad grid. This gives you 64 pads to play with, allowing for more complex patterns and live performance setups.

Sound and Polyphony

The Akai MPC One+ offers 128-note polyphony, which means it can play many sounds at once without cutting any of them off. This is great for creating lush, layered tracks. The Polyend Play+ has 8-note polyphony, which is more limited. However, it makes up for this with its focus on pattern-based sequencing and live performance features.

Storage and Connectivity

For storing your sounds, the MPC One+ comes with an internal SSD, making it easy to keep your samples and projects in one place. It also has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for connecting to other devices. The Polyend Play+ uses a microSD card for storage, which is convenient for swapping out different libraries of sounds.

In terms of connectivity, both machines offer MIDI and USB connections. The MPC One+ has MIDI In/Out and USB, while the Polyend Play+ includes MIDI In/Out/Thru and USB-C, along with stereo inputs and outputs for integrating with other gear.

Effects and Sound Design

Both samplers offer a range of effects to shape your sound. The MPC One+ includes EQ, reverb, delay, and compression, providing a solid set of tools for mixing and sound design. The Polyend Play+ adds overdrive and master FX to its list of reverb, delay, and EQ, making it a versatile choice for live performers who want to add dynamic changes to their set.

Pros and Cons

Akai MPC One+

Pros:

• Large 7-inch multi-touch display for easy navigation
• 128-note polyphony for rich sound creation
• Internal SSD for ample storage
• Comprehensive effects suite
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for connectivity

Cons:

• Fewer pads compared to Polyend Play+
• Slightly less portable

Polyend Play+

Pros:

• 8x8 pad grid for complex sequencing
• Compact and portable design
• Unique pattern-based sequencer with 16 tracks
• Expandable storage via microSD card
• Advanced MIDI sequencing capabilities

Cons:

• Only 8-note polyphony
• Higher price point

Conclusion

Both the Akai MPC One+ and the Polyend Play+ are fantastic tools for music creators. The MPC One+ is best for those who want a studio-like experience with powerful sound design tools and a big, beautiful touch screen. Meanwhile, the Polyend Play+ is ideal for live performers and electronic producers who crave flexibility and a modern approach to sequencing.

Final Verdict

If you’re someone who loves making music at home with a rich palette of sounds, the Akai MPC One+ is your go-to. But if you’re a performer or electronic music enthusiast looking for a portable and versatile tool, the Polyend Play+ might be your perfect match. Whichever you choose, both machines offer incredible opportunities to explore and create music in exciting new ways.