Is it me, or do the newer Mpc's soud "too clean"?

Guys, it’s finally here, you can start offloading your clean MPCs and exchange them for this beauty: https://sonicware.jp/pages/liven-lofi6? ... nE1RuFNo1w

dryad-66 wrote:

Smokeychuck wrote:The modern MPCs are definitely not "too clean", the clock drift leads to a somewhat muddy result when compared to better converters but nothing different than say, a focusrite scarlett.

From memory I found the scarlet to be totally transparent,something definately happens through the MPC,a slight ‘muddy ness’ if thats the word.but that also leads to a slight fattening of the sound imo.ive not found a modern soundcard relate exactly to it.a bit of EQ can sharpen things up tho.all MPCs have this effect.less so the older Akai rack samplers.which seemed brighter…
-Today in the shop I was A/B ing the new One + against the Live 2 (same kit/pattern) and I’m sure the + was a bit sharper.not by much tho.apparently the X SE is also ‘slightly’ tweaked…..according to ‘some’ internet test.Nothing too obvious but that could explain it.certainly not enough to shell a whole lot more cash imo.Altho its always nice to have the ‘new thing’…..I guess

I think we’re at the point where features and convenience override any perceivable sound characters of the unit themselves.the sound is ok and it’s what you do with it that matters……

What do you have to compare them to though? In terms of professional audio interfaces -- not prosumer or consumer audio interfaces like whats in the scarlett and MPC.

If you compared the scarlett to an RME interface, a good MOTU, a Lynx HILO, a Prism, SSL Big Six even.... then you'd say "Wow this Scarlett is not transparent at all, it's actually very muddy".

The modern MPCs dont have anything unique to their sound. They're using the same converter chips as many other pieces of consumer audio / prosumer audio gear.

To my trained ear the converters in the scarlett and the converters in the modern MPCs have the same muddyness. It's abundantly clear when you audition them against other more costly interfaces.

Also... what you're monitoring with matters. Ive tested on Neumann KH120II monitors w/ DSP enabled, 10 year old JBL 305p mk2s, Neumann NDH30 open back headphones, beyerdynamic dt770 headphones and other more common auditioning setups like phones and laptop speakers, earbuds etc.

The less fidelity your monitoring system has the less you will probably notice a difference. I'm also listening in a well treated room and I know the room's resonance spots well.

I assume you or someone you know has made such a comparison. Any links to the results?

Smokeychuck wrote:

What do you have to compare them to though? In terms of professional audio interfaces -- not prosumer or consumer audio interfaces like whats in the scarlett and MPC.

If you compared the scarlett to an RME interface, a good MOTU, a Lynx HILO, a Prism, SSL Big Six even.... then you'd say "Wow this Scarlett is not transparent at all, it's actually very muddy".

The modern MPCs dont have anything unique to their sound. They're using the same converter chips as many other pieces of consumer audio / prosumer audio gear.

To my trained ear the converters in the scarlett and the converters in the modern MPCs have the same muddyness. It's abundantly clear when you audition them against other more costly interfaces.

Also... what you're monitoring with matters. Ive tested on Neumann KH120II monitors w/ DSP enabled, 10 year old JBL 305p mk2s, Neumann NDH30 open back headphones, beyerdynamic dt770 headphones and other more common auditioning setups like phones and laptop speakers, earbuds etc.

The less fidelity your monitoring system has the less you will probably notice a difference. I'm also listening in a well treated room and I know the room's resonance spots well.

The compressor on the SSL six's sounds amazing.

johnnytravels wrote:Guys, it’s finally here, you can start offloading your clean MPCs and exchange them for this beauty: https://sonicware.jp/pages/liven-lofi6? ... nE1RuFNo1w

$299 isn't even a bad price

I believe with units like this, they end up being more useful as a companion piece to the MPC than using strictly as stand alone, sort of in the vein of the SP404 but at first glance this Sonicware joint does look more capable.

Kyl3Wyld wrote:The compressor on the SSL six's sounds amazing.

I know - have been using an approximation of the SSL compressor via Reason (Record) for the past 13 years, though I think it's modelled after the 9000 series. Still sounds amazing 13 years after it came out!

[quote="Smokeychuck"]

No science here,just ears and some experience with said units.i had the scarlet mk1 for a minute and sounded pretty sharp to me.i did not detect anything apart from its fine for recording.The MPC Live has some effect on the in[ut/output tho.Like i said.IMO…..comparing to what comes out my Motu Ultralite (and straight into back of MPC ) comparing the version from MPC is like I described.To me.Again,all MPCs have there own little sound.when go straight from software MPC through Motu its clearer.but sometimes I prefer the MPC and I feel it tops off the shrill hi end.I feel there’s a small fattening effect where as you dont get on most cheap soundcards.i think Akai have a lil algorhytm.and unglamorous converters.

Edit-I mean we’re talking here on an MPC forum not Tape Op.we dont need lab tests…there pretty useless in the real world of actual music.if it does the job….at its street price new MPCs are a good deal for most people.It no 4000 tho.that’s for sure….def at the lower end of things…..but better than a lot of other units out there//

Yeah so in a nut shell,I found the scarlet quite bright and the MPC not so.That goes for any MPC I’ve ever used!!!!!!

richie wrote:

johnnytravels wrote:Guys, it’s finally here, you can start offloading your clean MPCs and exchange them for this beauty: https://sonicware.jp/pages/liven-lofi6? ... nE1RuFNo1w

$299 isn't even a bad price

I believe with units like this, they end up being more useful as a companion piece to the MPC than using strictly as stand alone, sort of in the vein of the SP404 but at first glance this Sonicware joint does look more capable.

Volca Sample 2 is like gold dust with nothing but lofi sample playback and that Analogue Isolator. Its not the complexity, its the understanding of old school vibe.

Why is it that the mpc gets hate but the converters are boss level compared to some like the deluge or the tracker.. both those sounds like toys to me and don't have near the dynamics and width.. the octatrack sounds old and cheap.. sure some are better.. the newer elektrons sound amazing, but I don't think the mpc sounds far behind.. it is still definitely top shelf sound wise. Don't get the hate..

My old recordings with the octatrack are some of my favourites.The Deluge has a good sound also.from what I’ve heard.

I always found my 1000 and 2500 sounding dull - and not in a good way - which is why I always resampled my 950 and EPS 16+ in them. My current One however sounds great. I wouldn't call it clean tho, perhaps transparant or pristine is a better word. Vinyl just sounds lovely in it.

Christov wrote:I always found my 1000 and 2500 sounding dull - and not in a good way - which is why I always resampled my 950 and EPS 16+ in them. My current One however sounds great. I wouldn't call it clean tho, perhaps transparant or pristine is a better word. Vinyl just sounds lovely in it.

The way you feel about the One is how I felt about the 1k & 2500. I think the new stuff just sound more louder & modern. It sounds better than the 1k/2500, but not different if that makes sense. I guess this is the benefit of the higher bit depth which allows for more headroom even with more sounds.