Spitfire’s Intimate Strings & Cinematic Pads Now Available On Akai MPC Workflows

The music production world is about to get a major upgrade, as legendary sample library provider Spitfire Audio announces a groundbreaking collaboration with Akai Professional, bringing its critically acclaimed orchestral and cinematic sounds directly into the MPC workflow. The partnership, revealed at NAMM 2026 in January, marks the first formal integration between the two brands and promises to redefine how producers, composers, and beatmakers approach sound design.

At the heart of the collaboration is Spitfire Audio’s Originals Intimate Strings library, a meticulously crafted collection of chamber string performances recorded at the iconic AIR Studios. The MPC Edition of this library has been optimized for Akai’s hardware, delivering the warmth, emotion, and detail of a live string ensemble with the intuitive workflow producers expect from the MPC platform. According to the companies, this release represents just the beginning, with additional Spitfire libraries—including cinematic pads and other orchestral instruments—set to follow in the coming months.

Paul Thomson, founder of Spitfire Audio, emphasized the partnership’s focus on expressive, performance-led instruments. In a statement, he said:

“The brands that form the inMusic family have been with me for most of my professional music career, and I’m incredibly excited to be partnering with Akai to distill our approach to expressive, performance-led instruments into a focused, standalone experience. Whether you’re writing or performing, this collaboration gives you the power for intuitive creation.”

Andy Mac, Brand Manager at Akai Professional, echoed Thomson’s enthusiasm, highlighting how the integration will unlock new creative possibilities for MPC users. “By giving producers access to these legendary, expressive sounds at their fingertips, we’re unlocking a new realm of emotional depth and musicality in beatmaking and music production,” Mac said. “This partnership empowers creators to blend cinematic richness with the intuitive flow of the MPC range.”

For producers and composers, this collaboration is more than just a software update—it’s a bridge between the cinematic and electronic music worlds. Spitfire Audio’s libraries have long been staples in film scoring and high-end music production, known for their pristine recordings and dynamic expressiveness. By making these tools accessible within the MPC ecosystem, Akai and Spitfire are democratizing access to professional-grade orchestral sounds, previously reserved for studio environments with full orchestras or expensive virtual instruments.

The announcement comes at a time when the demand for hybrid orchestral and electronic production tools is surging. Producers across genres—from hip-hop to electronic and even film scoring—are increasingly blending acoustic and synthetic elements to create richer, more immersive soundscapes. The MPC Edition of Originals Intimate Strings is designed to fit seamlessly into this trend, offering producers the ability to layer strings with beats, pads, and other electronic elements in real time.

While the exact release date for the MPC Edition has not been confirmed, the partnership was officially unveiled at NAMM 2026, where Akai also introduced the MPC XL, its new flagship hardware unit. The timing suggests that the integration will be a key feature of the MPC XL’s capabilities, further cementing its position as a versatile tool for both electronic musicians and composers.

Spitfire Audio’s reputation for innovation extends beyond strings. The company has collaborated with industry heavyweights like Hans Zimmer and Abbey Road Studios, delivering sample libraries that have become industry standards. Their recent releases, such as the Mervyn Warren Choir and Tenebra by The Newton Brothers, have pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in virtual instrument design, offering composers and producers unprecedented control over orchestral textures.

As the partnership between Spitfire Audio and Akai Professional unfolds, one thing is clear: this collaboration is not just about bringing cinematic sounds to the MPC—it’s about redefining the creative process itself. By merging Spitfire’s meticulous craftsmanship with Akai’s intuitive hardware, the two companies are setting a new standard for how music is made, whether in a professional studio or a home setup.

For now, producers can look forward to the first release, Originals Intimate Strings MPC Edition, which promises to bring the magic of live strings into the digital age—one note at a time.