It seems like just yesterday we were ogling the launch of Akai’s inexpensive, ultra-portable standalone MPC …okay, three weeks. But Akai delivered some important updates in the 1.3 firmware, available today, on top of V1.2.1 (in case you blinked). Here’s what’s new.

MPC Sample is still about simplicity, so don’t expect big, kitchen-sink feature lists — that’s just not the point. (And if you want customizability, Ableton’s Move beckons , especially with custom firmwares and RNBO support .) But shrinking the MPC workflow down to everybody’s favorite stuff is already a big hit, and at $399, you can squeeze it next to your other favorite gear. (I’ll bet we see Move + MPC Sample!)

So here’s what they’ve added — and not bad for a device that’s three weeks old :

1.3.0

Normalize Sample (Sample > Trim and then hold SHIFT + Button 2)

Knob Takeover — Pickup, Scaled, and Instant, set individually for Standard, Knob FX, and the Fader.…