Support and discussion for all of Akai’s modern standalone MPCs including the MPC X / X SE, MPC Live 1, 2 & 3, MPC One / One+, MPC Key 37/61.
By CharlesRandolph Thu Jan 16, 2020 8:32 pm
Bezo wrote:I have a feeling the next release will be the Studio layout in the Live format but SLIGHTLY bigger, with 16 qlinks, CV, ethernet and 8GB RAM. 16GB+ RAM or up-gradable if they figure out how to run 3rd party VIs by then. Some modern workflow updates prior and I'd pre-order.


The force is 13.8” x 15.3” x 2.85” so I wonder why they didn't go 13.8 x 13.8 x 2.1 for the MPC One.
By sosflex Thu Jan 16, 2020 9:29 pm
I’ve been looking at getting a new MPC for awhile. (Had a Mpc 60II and a 1000 before). One question i have is: get a new Mpc one for $700, a used Mpc live for $850, or a Force (new or used)for $850-1000?
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By Danoc Thu Jan 16, 2020 10:02 pm
Especially that you can open the rack in s1v4

EnochLight wrote:
Yeah, they're a killer combination!
User avatar
By EnochLight Thu Jan 16, 2020 10:25 pm
sosflex wrote:I’ve been looking at getting a new MPC for awhile. (Had a Mpc 60II and a 1000 before). One question i have is: get a new Mpc one for $700, a used Mpc live for $850, or a Force (new or used)for $850-1000?


If you can score a used MPC Live for $850, it almost seems insane NOT to get that over the One. Here's things that make the One a worse choice IMHO:


  • No battery (so it must always be plugged in to a power source)
  • Smaller pads
  • No phono pre-amp in for sampling a turntable
  • No ability to add a SATA drive (though it does have an SD port and USB)
  • No Bluetooth (so no wireless MIDI controllers)
  • No WiFi (so Ableton Link must be obtained using the wired Link port in the back)

If none of those things matter to you, then sure - the One would probably be a better choice. The Force seems to be a completely different approach - it's no MPC. If you're looking for a proper MPC experience I'd steer clear of that.
By DokBrown Thu Jan 16, 2020 10:56 pm
https://www.akaipro.com/mpc-one

I learned from my roland MV. Unless u must have it, NEVER buy a sampler/sequencer with less than:
4 midi ports
6 audio ports [4 out/2in]

I DIG the extra buttons though, ESP. TC, SAMPLE EDIT, PROGRAM EDIT, BROWSE/SAVE, NEXT SEQ,
I do not like the hard TAP TEMPO.

I will stick with the MPC LIVE for now. The sweet spot would be a MPC with
1] crossfader like the FORCE/OCTATRACK.
2]MINI-GRID like novation Launchpad mini
OR they could give an update that supports plugging a launchpad mini or akai APC into your MPC that you already have. A $100-200 accessory for a major increase in output !!!!
By CharlesRandolph Thu Jan 16, 2020 11:44 pm
EnochLight wrote:[*]No battery (so it must always be plugged in to a power source)
[*]Smaller pads
[*]No phono pre-amp in for sampling a turntable
[*]No ability to add a SATA drive (though it does have an SD port and USB)
[*]No Bluetooth (so no wireless MIDI controllers)
[*]No WiFi (so Ableton Link must be obtained using the wired Link port in the back)


1. Besides the LIVE and MPC 500 (AA BATTERIES) no other MPC uses battery.
2. I agree prefer a larger pad.
3. The MPC 2000XL, 1000, 2000, Touch, 500, 3000, 60, 2500, and Studio didn't have a phono input either.
So this wasn't really an oversight now that think about it.
4. SATA SSD is not needed, when you can buy Large SD cards.
5/6. Bluetooth and Wifi all introduce latency. Wired is lower latency, stable and consistent.

MIDI and Audio I/O. There is a @QuickStrike work around to obtain more midi outs and audio.
Other MIDI options: @Monotremata has been working on that via USB to ETHERNET.
Bymember04959388 Thu Jan 16, 2020 11:55 pm
CharlesRandolph wrote:
EnochLight wrote:[*]No battery (so it must always be plugged in to a power source)
[*]Smaller pads
[*]No phono pre-amp in for sampling a turntable
[*]No ability to add a SATA drive (though it does have an SD port and USB)
[*]No Bluetooth (so no wireless MIDI controllers)
[*]No WiFi (so Ableton Link must be obtained using the wired Link port in the back)


1. Besides the LIVE and MPC 500 (AA BATTERIES) no other MPC uses battery.
2. I agree prefer a larger pad.
3. The MPC 2000XL, 1000, 2000, Touch, 500, 3000, 60, 2500, and Studio didn't have a phono input either.
So this wasn't really an oversight now that think about it.
4. SATA SSD is not needed, when you can buy Large SD cards.
5/6. Bluetooth and Wifi all introduce latency. Wired is lower latency, stable and consistent.

MIDI and Audio I/O. There is a @QuickStrike work around to obtain more midi outs and audio.
Other MIDI options: @Monotremata has been working on that via USB to ETHERNET.

Yes sure, workarounds.
There is no comparison between One and Live, Live is better and that's it.
Someone posted before, never buy a sampler with less then 4 midi ports and 6 outputs.
And No battery.
I think it's much better to buy a 2nd hand Live, I just saw the 2nd hanf price is dropping and you can find it for 700 euros.
Which is almost same price as One.
By CharlesRandolph Fri Jan 17, 2020 12:15 am
Frisbi wrote:Yes sure, workarounds.
There is no comparison between One and Live, Live is better and that's it.


Better how? It's the same exact software.

Frisbi wrote:Someone posted before, never buy a sampler with less then 4 midi ports and 6 outputs.
And No battery.


There are tons of people who bought sampler with less than 6 outputs. Infact there are people with 10
outputs who only uses 2. LOL. Believe it or not a battery is novelty. 99% of my studio is plugged in.

Frisbi wrote:I think it's much better to buy a 2nd hand Live, I just saw the 2nd hanf price is dropping and you can find it for 700 euros. Which is almost same price as One.


I agree, except for the lack of warranty. Especially for couple hundred more, you can get a new one. However, for beginner I would say, get the MPC ONE, a 100 dollar synth keyboard and 200 dollar speakers. Use your computer, tablet, smartphone, xbox, ps4 and sample from online source. All for the price of MPC LIVE.
By Cockdiesel Fri Jan 17, 2020 12:23 am
I dig this format and like others mentioned wish it was closer to the studio. The q links are the only “eyesore” I see and maybe not as functional as other Mpcs.
I’d say it’s a great entry level mpc. I love the live but a lot of the stuff is just extra for me. Including the battery.
I do however prefer more in and out, but not everyone does or will.
You can still work just fine with the one, an iPad and keystep. Export your projects and finish it up on the computer.
Shit if the mpc one, new ssl 2, a decent laptop, and some monitors and you’re good to go.
User avatar
By EnochLight Fri Jan 17, 2020 12:36 am
CharlesRandolph wrote:
EnochLight wrote:[*]No battery (so it must always be plugged in to a power source)
[*]Smaller pads
[*]No phono pre-amp in for sampling a turntable
[*]No ability to add a SATA drive (though it does have an SD port and USB)
[*]No Bluetooth (so no wireless MIDI controllers)
[*]No WiFi (so Ableton Link must be obtained using the wired Link port in the back)


1. Besides the LIVE and MPC 500 (AA BATTERIES) no other MPC uses battery.
2. I agree prefer a larger pad.
3. The MPC 2000XL, 1000, 2000, Touch, 500, 3000, 60, 2500, and Studio didn't have a phono input either.
So this wasn't really an oversight now that think about it.
4. SATA SSD is not needed, when you can buy Large SD cards.
5/6. Bluetooth and Wifi all introduce latency. Wired is lower latency, stable and consistent.

MIDI and Audio I/O. There is a @QuickStrike work around to obtain more midi outs and audio.
Other MIDI options: @Monotremata has been working on that via USB to ETHERNET.


1. So?
2. They're noticeably smaller than the Live, for sure. I also prefer the larger pads.
3. I never said it was an oversight. But it's certainly something missing on the One that the Live has. If you enjoy sampling from turntables, well - that's something to consider.
4. Sure, if you're into carrying SD cards and USB sticks around. For me, that's just something to lose.
5/6. Bluetooth and WiFi are incredibly useful, especially if you want to play some proper keys instead of relying on your MPC's chromatic pads and not mess about with wires. The latency isn't as much of an issue as you think.

As I said in my OP, if none of that stuff is important to him, then the One might be a nice choice.