Akai MPC3000 Integrated Rhythm Machine 16 Bit Drum Sampler MIDI Sequencer. The MPC3000 was released in 1994, as the updated version of the famous MPC60, and it revolutionized rap, hip-hob, and R&B. Instead of the switches and small hard buttons of earlier devices, the MPC has a 4x4 grid of large, pressure-sensitive rubber pads which can be played similarly to a keyboard. The MPC had a major influence on the development of electronic and hip hop music, allowing musicians and producers to create elaborate tracks without a studio and opening the way for new sampling techniques.