MPCHunter

“This is the brain of the legendary Akai MPC60, the result of the Roger Linn collaboration with Akai. The MPC has touch pads and audio outputs. The ASQ-10 is the sequencer section only. No audio. No cool drum samples. Just MIDI. Here’s what Wikipedia says about it: In 1988, Akai also released the sequencer section of the MPC60 as a standalone hardware product in its own right, the ASQ10. As with the MPC60, this was renowned for its solid MIDI timing compared to computer software based systems.

I read about it in Contemporary Keyboard (not just Keyboard) and bought it brand new by special-ordering it from my local music dealer here in Spokane WA. I was moving up from the built-in sequencer of my Ensoniq ESQ-1. I was producing music for video production companies and needed dead accurate MIDI clock timing and the ability to read SMPTE time code, a feat that could otherwise be achieved only with the most powerful and expensive Macs. But it also had 2 MIDI In Ports and 4 MIDI Out Ports! I was running about 7 or 8 MIDI hardware devices and loved the I/O. I used it intensely from 1988 until the Mac LC came out in late 91/early 92. I still used the ASQ-10 for live presentations including an awards show with the Pacific Coast Gas Association Conference in Houston hosted by the now-infamous Enron! You can manually change sequences while everything’s running without any lag or timing dropout. That’s really cool and powerful.

The only drawback now is that it uses a 3.5″ floppy drive. The drive in this unit works flawlessly However, I’ve seen USB replacements on eBay that I’d buy in a moment if I was still using this baby. I’ve included 5 or 6 blank disks that are quickly (well, it takes about a minute!) and easily formatted on the ASQ-10. The backlit LCD display is getting dim but it’s still quite readable. Even when it was new, I set up a small desk lamp to reflect off the LCD to make it easier to read. LCD replacements in all kinds of duo-chrome color combinations are advertised all over eBay too.” Click here to search for MPCs on eBay