AKAI Professional MPC X SE

This is, as the name suggests, a special edition of the OG MPC X, not a major upgrade. The SE features a vintage colorway, 4 GB of RAM (instead of 2), 48 GB internal storage (instead of 16), and comes loaded with almost all Akai plugins and some of the expansion packs. Ironically, despite the vintage styling, Akai was too cheap to include their vintage-ifier plugin Air Flavor Pro, nor the Mini D or the new Delay Pro plugin. I'm not 100% sure exactly which expansion packs came with it, as I already owned quite a few, but there were definitely some that I didn't own previously.

So, should you buy it? Well, as always, it depends. If you already own the OG MPC X, it's not worth shelling out $$$ for a few plugins, expansions, and a slight upgrade in storage and performance (or the vintage look). If you're upgrading from the One (like I did) or the Live II, it might be worth it if you have the money, but consider that a used OG MPC X will cost you less than half of the SE.

Pros:
The 4x4 Q-Link panel (OG and SE) is a game changer. I had thought that it would merely replace the need to push the Q-Link switch button on the One to switch the screen controls, but the Q-Link panel on the X (OG and SE) is also activated when using, for example, the channel mixer (to directly control the levels or the panning of each channel from the Q-Links), or the main screen (to tweak various sequence and track parameters). If you are using a CV program, the Q-Link panel allows you to control the voltage of the CV outs (and thus your modular synth) from the bottom two rows of Q-Link knobs - that's significant for me as a Eurorack user. There are probably more uses that I haven't discovered yet.
The 10" screen is a godsend for my ageing eyes.
The pads are bigger (OG and SE) - I'm not the world's greatest finger drummer but I like it.
Plugins load noticeably faster on the SE. On the One, it would sometimes take up to 7-10 seconds for a Fabric XL preset to change/load; now, this takes 2 seconds max. This isn't a very scientific way to assess it, but it's noteworthy nonetheless.

Cons:
It's quite large. I was aware of the dimensions when I ordered it but was still surprised by how big it is IRL. It's not very portable at all. That being said, it looks gorgeous.
Akai's customer support is absolutely useless, but this isn't specific to the SE.

5 out of 5 stars for everything, but the MPC X SE is not perfect.

I own an MPC Live 2, which features two benefits over the X. These are it's overall portability and excellent built-in speaker.

However, that's where the two machines start to drift apart in overall use. Firstly, the X SE can easily be an excellent "standalone studio centerpiece". For this, the MPC X SE is only missing one important function, which can probably be addressed in a future software update, whether free or for a nominal cost.

After using the Live 2 for a few months, the MPC X SE's many more hands on functions, along with the larger screen make it a joy to use. Words like tactile are often written when describing the use of this machine, and correctly so! Especially when also talking about the sixteen separate Q-link function knobs. While knobs are different than sliders, this gives me the added feeling of working with a hardware mixer.

The X SE comes with a suite of included sound packs which contain some great sounds. I would say that you could produce full music tracks without any external gear with the MPC X SE, although Jura is a very good plug-in if you intend to play and produce with mostly synthesizer sounds. I purchased Jura, but still personally own and frequently use an external hardware synthesizer during most of my productions.

Another reason you can avoid using a computer is the suite of mixing and mastering software included with the X SE. While still as a beginner, I wouldn't say this will automatically give you professional results, but they make a difference, and the more you learn, the more one will have a chance to make better and more professional sounding music.

The MPC X SE also includes a built-in pre-amp, meaning it is entirely possible to record all your music and vocals using just this one machine.

What's missing...
As stated at the beginning of this review, the MPC X SE is missing a program that can show a professional looking graphic equalizer EQ. This is very important, especially when wanting to present finished projects in a more professional format. Currently, one would need to use a computer service or hire a professional mixer/master technician to evaluate this. I believe that Akai has the capability to add this feature fairly simply, whether it be in the form of a free or paid program.

With the MPC X SE, so much is possible, and without necessarily having to use a computer during your music making process. This of course is subjective and could especially depend on what your goals are.

Like any art, making music definitely requires skill, but practice
(sometimes lots of it) and the right gear for you, will get you started on this journey.

The MPC X Special Edition is a fine update to the original MPC X, a powerful workstation that can find a home in any musical environment, from beat-making to live performance.
This machine may be seen by some as a beat-making machine only but the connectivity and virtual instruments tell a different story. It can easily be a centerpiece of your studio if you've got enough desk real estate.