Soul Chemist Blog

The Akai MPC Sample is Akai's most portable and affordable MPC ever — and it sold out on day one. At $399, it packs 16 velocity-sensitive pads with poly aftertouch, Instant Sample Chop, 60 effect types, a 5-hour battery, and full MPC3 project compatibility into a unit the size of a hardback book. This is a full breakdown from a hardware producer with 12+ years on machines like the MPC 2500, MPC X SE, and SP404 — no fluff, no hype.

What if everything you've heard about selling beats in 2026 is wrong? After bouncing between BeatStars and Airbit with zero sales, I built my own store on Shopify and went from 20 visits a month to thousands. Here's exactly how it happened, the SEO that finally worked, the tools I use every day (ChatGPT, Claude, VidIQ), and the mistakes I wish I'd known about from day one.

Modern drums sound too clean for boom bap. In this guide I break down the exact plugin chain I use to get that dirty, dusty 90s drum sound: MPC style saturation, SP1200 and S950 sampler emulation, cassette dubbing and tape on the master bus. Every plugin, in the right order, with the settings that actually work on the breaks I release.

The full story behind Tar Prayers, the new dark boom bap MPC expansion. Akai S950, MPC2500, SP404 and the analog chain that built every kit, told step by step.

Creating a real MPC expansion is not about stacking random sounds. It is about building a complete workflow that hits the moment you load it.

In this post, Soul Chemist breaks down the full process behind a custom MPC expansion, from sound selection to final kits, designed for real boom bap production.

If you are looking for grimey textures, analog feel and sounds that inspire instantly, this is where it starts.

Every serious producer builds a personal sample library over time. Learn how to organize your sounds, choose better material and develop a unique sonic identity.

Sampling is one of the core skills in hip hop production. In this article we explore how to choose better samples, classic chopping techniques and how producers transform sounds into completely new musical ideas.

Sampling is one of the core skills in hip hop production. In this article we explore how to choose better samples, classic chopping techniques and how producers transform sounds into completely new musical ideas.

The Gems Definitive Edition is the ultimate drum kit for producers seeking raw, dark, and textured hip-hop sounds. Inspired by Griselda, Alchemist, and Daringer, this pack features over 1,000 high-quality elements, including deep basses, gritty drum breaks, hard-hitting snares, and dusty vinyl textures. Designed for serious producers, this kit provides everything needed to craft authentic and powerful beats.

If you're a producer looking for raw, dark, and textured sounds for your beats, The Gems Definitive Edition is the ultimate drum kit. Inspired by the sound of Griselda, Alchemist, and Daringer, this pack contains over 1,000 high-quality elements designed to add character and impact to your productions.

Each sound has been carefully processed to capture the essence of underground and authentic hip-hop. From deep basses to dusty vinyl-textured samples, this pack is crafted for those seeking a unique and powerful sonic identity.