Move Over Akai MPC

For the past two decades, the Akai MPC has set the standard for beat making in Hip Hop and Electronica. Enter GURU, a drum sampler and pattern sequencer from Fxpansion, which is yet another example of how music production is moving steadily from hardware to software. To be sure, if tapping out rhythms is the main way you make beats, then you’ll still also need a MIDI pad controller like the M-Audio Trigger Finger. And you’ll also need to do any sample recording and editing with your DAW. However, you can do everything else better in GURU, and once you get the hang of the pattern sequencer you may wind up stashing your pad controller in the closet. (more…)