Akai embraces vibe-coded mods with open-source MPC
Before officially releasing the MPC Sample Key, Akai has already provided devices to the modding community ahead of time and plans to equip it with open-source firmware. The demos showed mods that use vibe coding to add Native Instruments Massive, virtual analog and FM synthesizers, as well as a device running a completely custom OS. CEO Jack O’Donnell said that inMusic's brands will give devices to developers early, open-source some software, and provide an SDK.
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The MPC Sample Key isn’t even formally announced yet, but Akai is already showing off what the modding community is cooking up through vibe coding. Akai has decided to embrace the explosion of hackers and custom firmware developers by giving them early access to the device, which will have open-source firmware.
It will likely run some version of the same software found on the MPC Sample , but with tweaks to accommodate the traditional keyboard, pitch, and mod wheels. Unlike the higher-end MPC Key 37, however, the Sample Key doesn’t have pads. Instead, you play back samples with the keys.
In the short Instagram Reels posted last night and today, Akai shows a number of vibe-coded mods that add synths, including Native Instruments Massive, to the device, as well as virtual analog and FM synths. One is even shown running a completely custom OS, with “several different synths in it.”
According to the clips , the same “community” features will come to the regular MPC Sample, which is also shown running a few vibe-coded synths built by Claude. That could mean Akai plans to open-source the entire MPC Sample platform.
CEO Jack O’Donnell told The Verge that inMusic brands, especially Akai, would be looking to embrace the modding community by seeding early devices to developers. These efforts will also include open-sourcing some software and providing an SDK.