Akai XR20

Play beats directly using the pads, record patterns and build songs from them: the Akai XR20 is a compact drum machine for production and live use. Its library contains more than 700 drum, percussion, bass, synth and instrument sounds; 12 velocity-sensitive, backlit pads are used to play and programme the sounds.

Drum, one-shot and synth sounds can be selected using three pad modes. The XR20 offers 99 preset and 99 user patterns. You can record, edit and save user patterns; in Song mode, you can arrange patterns into longer sequences. A and B variations and fills help you switch between song sections. In Pattern Play mode, you can assign different patterns to individual pads and trigger them live.

Reverb and EQ and compression curves are available for sound processing. Settings can be saved for each drum set and assigned to individual pads. Important for the signal path: effects are output via the Main output; sounds on the Aux output are not affected. You can mix vocals directly with the beats via the microphone input.

Drum Roll and Note Repeat complement manual pad playing: when a key is held down, Note Repeat triggers notes in the set quantisation grid and is suitable, for example, for even hi-hat patterns or rolls. Two footswitch connections handle start/stop, as well as count-in, A/B switching and fill. MIDI In and Out enable the exchange of note and clock data with external devices.

Power is supplied by six AA batteries or a 12 V DC power supply. This makes the battery-powered beat machine suitable for mobile setups without a direct mains connection. It is suitable for musicians, DJs and producers who want to create patterns on the device, trigger them live or integrate it into an existing setup via MIDI.