Used MPC live I vs new(ish) mpc one

Hi there,
I'm looking to get into the new generation of MPCs in the most affordable way possible and I have been looking at second hand units. It looks like I can get a gen 1 MPC live for around the same price or less as a new (or like new) MPC one.

I've had a good look around at buyers guides but I'm looking for information specifically on potential pitfalls in buying a 2-3 year old MPC live that might not be obvious to a newbie. I think either the one or the live would suit my purpose, but the larger pads, integrated battery and phono input on the live are tempting.

I would appreciate any input on what (if anything) I should look for when buying second hand. thanks.

Nerosneptune wrote:Hi there,
I'm looking to get into the new generation of MPCs in the most affordable way possible and I have been looking at second hand units. It looks like I can get a gen 1 MPC live for around the same price or less as a new (or like new) MPC one.

I've had a good look around at buyers guides but I'm looking for information specifically on potential pitfalls in buying a 2-3 year old MPC live that might not be obvious to a newbie. I think either the one or the live would suit my purpose, but the larger pads, integrated battery and phono input on the live are tempting.

I would appreciate any input on what (if anything) I should look for when buying second hand. thanks.

Personally, if I were you I'd go with a brand new MPC One. Those first gen MPC Live's have pretty old batteries, so the main reason to get one (aside from the additional USB port and the ability to slap your own SSD into it) may be short lived. Plus, the extra buttons on the MPC One allegedly really help with workflow. Plus, buy your MPC One from a reputable dealer and you'll get a 1 year warranty (2 full years if you're in the US and buy from Sweetwater, etc). Just my 2 cents (full disclosure: I own the MPC Live II and Force).

IMO the smaller pads are not an issue whatsoever. Turntable inputs very useful if you don't have a built in line out on your turntable or don't have a DJ mixer to convert the phono to line level. Battery, as mentioned, could be in a poor state by now. Personally I have a 5 year old MPC Live and the battery is as good as new, but I rarely use it; if someone have run it ragged, it might need replacing and last I looked, MPC Stuff don't stock this anymore.

Touch screen on the MPC One is a bit more responsive than the Live, plus the extra buttons definitely make a big difference to the workflow, e.g. less trips to the 'menu' screen for very common destinations (e.g. program edit). CV not available on the Live either, but the SATA option and two USB 3 ports are useful, as is wifi and bluetooth support.

Basically there is no easy answer, go with the one that provides the features you personally need. I would say that buying second hand means no warranty and also means you might find it difficult to obtain some of the 'goodies' that licensed users have, such as an MPC Software licence, and potentially future offers and discounted OS upgrades (pure conjecture, there may never be a paid OS update...).

In theory an MPC can be officially transferred to a new owner one time. but there is no automated process for this, you have to contact Akai and arrange for them to transfer the license for you. And Akai are notoriously hard to get in touch with these days so bear that in mind. With a new MPC you just create an account at akaipro, register the hardware serial and you immediately get all the extra downloads and activation codes etc.

There is an easy answer. One is as good as the other, they are both MPC units and they both do MPC stuff just the same. Pick one, it doesn't matter which one you choose because you'll find a reason why you should have bought the other one and make some beats.

If you buy used stuff [cars, synths], I would go used MPC LIVE

OR


If you have never bought anything significant used, just get the MPC1 new from your local store.


Regardless, don’t stress about it. If you were considering a legacy MPC then your decision would matter more. I’m willing to bet you’ll be fine with either purchase

I say...start off with the One....After 6 months or so...Ask yourself if you wanna upgrade. Stack up a lil loot, sale your One to Help cop a MPC Live 2 or an X

Is that a fact that the MPC 1 has a better screen The extra but-tons were obvious, but I find the MPC LIVE v1 screen to be “off” at times.

Thanks for the input everyone! I think I'll go for the One.

If I want portability I suppose that I can always rig up a battery (albeit a less integrated one) and I do have a couple of RIAA preamps that I can use with my turntable. I am fairly handy with electronics but I don't want this particular bit of gear to be a big time sink to get up and running and if there are reliability issues with the screen or other things on the OG Live then that is probably enough to sway me to the One.

Avoid the live mkI. It’s got that crappy rubber coating that corrodes over time.

JeriKo Jackson wrote:Avoid the live mkI. It’s got that crappy rubber coating that corrodes over time.

The Live II also has the same rubber coating, unfortunately. Not looking forward to how this things ages (Force as well).

Sweaty Hands Degrades the Coating.

I would go with the One, it'll end up being your little buddy that does big things.

40Beatz wrote:Sweaty Hands Degrades the Coating.

You should get that looked at!

Baby Powder Needed


That's probably why some of these Dudes Pads are Worn out and Shiny in the middle of the Pads.
Beatin the Rubber off them joints wit sweaty fingertips!