Akai MPC One+ —  VS  — Sonicware SmplTrek

Sonic Showdown: Akai MPC One+ vs. Sonicware SmplTrek

Summary: Dive into the world of music creation with two powerful samplers: the Akai MPC One+ and the Sonicware SmplTrek. These devices offer unique features for different kinds of music makers. Let’s explore which one suits your creative needs!

Introduction

Music is magic, and with the right tools, anyone can become a music magician. Samplers are one of these magical tools—they let you capture sounds, twist them, and create amazing music. Today, we’re putting two samplers head-to-head: the Akai MPC One+ and the Sonicware SmplTrek. Both are fantastic, but they have different superpowers. Let’s find out which one is perfect for you!

The Battle of Features

Design and Build

The Akai MPC One+ looks like something from the future. It’s a standalone machine, which means you don’t need a computer to make music! It has a 7-inch multi-touch display—imagine a tablet built into your music gear. The 16 velocity-sensitive RGB pads are like magic buttons that change colors. This helps you play and produce music with feeling.

On the other hand, the Sonicware SmplTrek is compact and lightweight, perfect for musicians on the go. It doesn’t have fancy RGB pads, but it comes with 10 buttons for performance and transport. Its color screen might be smaller, but it still helps you see what you’re doing clearly.

Sound and Polyphony

The Akai MPC One+ is a powerhouse with 128-note polyphony. Polyphony means how many sounds you can play at the same time. So, with the MPC One+, you can layer many sounds without dropping any. The sample rate of 44.1kHz ensures you get high-quality sound every time.

The Sonicware SmplTrek offers 10-note polyphony. This might seem less, but it’s enough for many types of music. It also has a 44.1kHz sample rate, but in 16-bit, which is great for capturing and playing back sounds with detail.

Storage and Connectivity

Storage is where you keep all your sounds. The Akai MPC One+ has an internal SSD, which is like a super-fast hard drive. It comes with 16GB of storage, so you can save lots of sounds and projects.

The Sonicware SmplTrek uses internal memory plus a microSD card. This means you can expand how much you store by changing the memory card. It’s super handy if you like to travel with your music.

Connectivity is also important. Both samplers have MIDI In/Out and USB connections, but the MPC One+ adds Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, making it easy to connect wirelessly. The SmplTrek includes a Mic In, making it easier to record vocals directly.

Effects and Sequencing

Effects make your music sound cool. Both devices have EQ, Reverb, and Delay, but the Akai MPC One+ also includes Compression, which helps balance your sound.

For sequencing, both have their own styles. The MPC One+ includes the famous MPC sequencer, known for its precision. The Sonicware SmplTrek has a song-based and pattern sequencer, which is fun for arranging songs in different ways.

Pros and Cons

Akai MPC One+

Pros:

• High polyphony (128 voices)
• Large multi-touch display
• Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
• Integration with MPC Software
• Standalone operation

Cons:

• Higher price point ($750)
• Larger size might not be as portable

Sonicware SmplTrek

Pros:

• Compact and portable
• Affordable price ($429)
• Expandable storage with microSD
• Mic input available

Cons:

• Lower polyphony (10 voices)
• Smaller screen
• Fewer pads

Final Verdict

The Akai MPC One+ is perfect for producers who want a full-featured, standalone music workstation with plenty of power and connectivity options. If you love deep production and need a high-end device to handle complex music, this is your gear.

The Sonicware SmplTrek is ideal for musicians who are always on the move. It’s easy to carry, simple to use, and doesn’t break the bank. If you enjoy making music on the go or need a sampler for live performances, this is the one for you.

In the end, both samplers have their own superpowers. The choice depends on what you need—power and features or portability and price. Happy music-making!