Akai iMPC Pro 2 for iPad lets you record audio tracks and use Audio Units

Akai, working in collaboration with Retronyms, has released the second version of its iMPC Pro iPad app - the appropriately-named iMPC Pro 2.

Notably, this now offers audio track recording and support for Audio Units, making the app feel more like a proper mobile DAW than ever. You can manipulate your audio using the pitchshifting, timestretching and other editing features.

There’s also a new library of built-in sounds – kits that cover a range of contemporary genres. You can download five additional custom sound packs for free.

iMPC Pro 2 represents the next stage of evolution for the iMPC series,” said JP Walton, Co-founder of Retronyms. “It takes the classic beatmaking workflow found on the original and adds something we've been working on for a long time - the ability to rap or sing over the beat you’ve produced. This evolves the mobile beatmaking app concept into a more complete song creation tool. It has synchrony with what Akai has been working on with MPC desktop and their hardware as well."

iMPC Pro 2 costs $24.99 and is available now on the Apple App Store. Existing users can upgrade for $10.

Akai iMPC Pro 2 features

  • Audio track recording (record from built-in mic, external mics, audio interfaces, etc.)
  • Real-time time-stretching and pitch-shifting (warp tracks and clips to match tempo)
  • Ableton Link and Inter-App Audio (IAA) support
  • 64-track mixer with EQ and 4 FX sends (Reverb, Delay, Chorus/Flange and one IAA effect)
  • Redesigned user interface
  • Audio Unit plug-in support
  • AudioCopy and AudioPaste support
  • Directly upload tracks to YouTube
  • Sample audio directly from music player apps such as Spotify
  • New Song Mode makes full song production more intuitive than ever
  • 100% new sound set, with five additional free Sound Packs
  • Advanced waveform editing
  • Enhanced MIDI support
  • 4 Mute Groups
  • Extensive undo/redo capabilities
  • Many more intuitive workflow enhancements
Ben Rogerson

I’m the Deputy Editor of MusicRadar, having worked on the site since its launch in 2007. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 24 of which I’ve also spent writing about music and the ever-changing technology used to make it.