Well, look at this… Behringer is at it again! This time, they’ve got their sights set on Akai’s MPC One! Behringer’s version is called KICK.
16 velocity sensitive pads, touchscreen, built in effects, and open source software, the KICK is already getting attention. If the price is right, this could be huge.
Behringer KICK Looks a Lot Like the MPC One
Let’s address the elephant in the room. The Behringer KICK looks very much like the Akai MPC One.
The pad arrangement, big touchscreen, and control knobs. There are some buttons and knobs are out of place, but it’s clear where Behringer got its inspiration.
The KICK’s features include:
- 7-inch touchscreen
- 16 RGB pads with eight banks
- Sampler with sample editing
- Step sequencer and looper
- 300+ built in effects
- 4 assignable knobs and a jog wheel
- MIDI, USB, SD card, and CV/Gate connectivity
There’s also an AI-assisted camera for gesture control? Hmmm. Not sure how useful that feature will be. I guess we’ll have to wait and see about that ONE.
Open Source Software Could Be the KICK’s Biggest Feature
Behringer is taking an open source approach with the KICK.
Music Tribe published the source code on GitHub, allowing anyone to modify it.
Imagine a sampler where the community helps create new features, improve existing ones, and develop different workflows. Kind of reminds me of REAPER and its community.
That’s the exciting part!
Now, of course, having open source software doesn’t guarantee every feature music producers want will become available. That will come down to the developer support.
Still, giving people access to the software behind a hardware sampler opens up some interesting possibilities.
You can check out the official KICK source code here.
Could Behringer Make Standalone Sampling More Affordable?
ONE thing Behringer knows is how to get people talking, and their prices are pretty fair.
We’ve seen the company release affordable alternatives to vintage synths, and now they’re entering familiar MPC territory.
For music producers who want to make beats without sitting in front of a computer, the KICK could be appealing, especially if they don’t have the money to spend on an AKAI unit.
And for producers who already own an MPC, the open source software could be another reason to pay attention.
There’s just one thing we don’t know yet: the price.
Behringer hasn’t announced an official release date or retail price, so we’ll have to see how they package everything.
Is the Behringer KICK Worth Getting Excited About?
Absolutely! Competition is good for music producers as it brings more options to the table.
I’m especially interested in the community and how that open source software functions.
Oh, and the PADS. If the pads are trash….But then again, we have companies like MPC Stuff that can upgrade those for a small fee.
If Behringer delivers on the features and keeps the price competitive, this could be a serious alternative to the MPC One.
While we wait for more KICK news, check out Audio Plugin Deals for amazing discounts on virtual instruments, effects plugins, and sound libraries. You might find something perfect for your next production!
What do you think? Would you buy the Behringer KICK over an Akai MPC One?
