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.
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By Danoc Mon Feb 03, 2020 10:24 am
@Charles l agree! I wanted to see what you say.

If you remember l kept saying "IF AKAI MAKES A NEW MACHINE IT SHOULD HAVE A HDMI OR DVI PORT ON THE BACK SO YOU CAN ADD ANY SIZE MONITOR". The newr model MPC 3000 has it and the Roland MV 8000 has it. That is why l have my entire MPC Live on tilt on my Aukey. I can not be on it flat, messes with the neck which messes wuth performance.

I play keys and poster is very important. I practice also, l have a good suport chair for my back. If l practice for 30 minutes l stand up and stretch and walk around a bit. When l search for sounds l do the same thing. But my setup is way more comfy than my older studio. Once a week l get a high powered chair massage from 30 min to an hour but once a month l get the hands massage. Shoulders tend to get intense. Watch the legs also don't wanna get tedonitis. Also buy the proper bed mattress. Proper rest period is essential also.

I hit the weights l workout, l don't eat pork nor red meat and l eat lite just before l produce a track. Meditation work wonders and keeping stress levels down.

It goes just this deep when you have been around pros and you been doing it a long time.

MPCx is built with everything up the middle. I think that's why Akai made the One square. When you're young you don't care about these things its when you're older you do.
By Eyalc Mon Feb 03, 2020 12:54 pm
There’s a reason these high-end studios have chairs that cost $2k - $3k. Years ago when I got my first royalty checks, I didn’t invest in audio gear. I bought one of those chairs. Never regretted it. Easily one of the best investments in my music, ever. Professionals that sit long hours know (sometimes through physical pain) that a good chair that fits you is more important than an MPC, or a keyboard, or a mic. Years ago when people would ask my advice on setting up their studio, they’d ask “should I get this mic, or that audio interface, or this computer, or that DAW”. And I’d be like “nah - go get this chair”. Now I don’t say that anymore lol. Got tired of the “whatever dude” looks.

Unfortunately, when you get serious about this music stuff, you’re going to sit for long periods. But a chair, and following the rules Charles showed in that diagram, will allow you to protect your body while getting this music stuff done. I also believe that like Danoc said, lifting weights and fitness is essential too. Anyone ever wonder why so many of these producers start lifting and getting in shape after a while? Timbaland, Dr. Dre, Missy Elliott, Eminem, Danny Elfman. It’s not just for vanity.

Being sedentary for long periods without taking care of your body will take years off your life. Rant done. Gotta hit the studio and mix this song with a rapper from Oklahoma. Fire I tell you. Fire. Y’all got less than 2 months to get your.... Oh, I told you that already. LOL
By Unreallystic Mon Feb 03, 2020 2:09 pm
That's all important information that should be in another thread, because its buried in the One discussions, but an incredibly important one.

I don't make my coin from music unfortunately, just a little, but I am still at a desk all day long, in front of a computer, and even during lunch, I pull out various pieces of gear to either practice on/learn better, or to flat out make new music. I can not describe how important having a good chair is. I spend more time in my chair than any other place, a proper night's rest, which I almost never get, is 8 hours, but I am sitting at my desk for usually 9+. Even having the monitor at the right height is a big deal.

I love my current studio setup, I just said screw a desk, so I have a big screen on an adjustable stand that I got to the perfect height to be comfortable, I got an expensive big & tall chair, because I'm a MASSIVE dude, and then I got the MX-400 rolling mixer stand as my main brains, I put the Push on their, the Live, or any other device I use for controlling the studio, so everything that I am *constantly* using is adjustable and has been put at a height to reduce strain, or put at an angle to ensure comfort. My main 3-tier piano stand has a little height flexibility, but not a ton, and my second piano stand is traditional, but I paid a little more to be able to adjust he height easier. Only thing I hate is the floor, I have this rock styled flooring in the room (basement), and while it looks nice, it isn't even, and my wheels catch sometimes.

But everything ya'll are saying is big facts, and rarely discussed, I mean Eylac - you're spot on about what people ask "What should I get next.
- Unreall
By CharlesRandolph Mon Feb 03, 2020 3:01 pm
I agree, the main thing is alignment of the MPC ONE's buttons and screen. I also like the lower profile, which keeps my wrist slight lower than my knuckles, all while keeping my arms horizontal with the floor. This is where the touch screen becomes an issue, it forces you to hover above the machine.

Desk, Chair, Monitor Stand, are 100% important now. I tell you one thing, computer monitor, typing keyboard, and mouse made setting things up a pain. I'm not fan of side cart computers setups. :lol: This is why the SSL ORGIN setup is nice.

Image

Back to the music!
By Eyalc Mon Feb 03, 2020 4:52 pm
Unreallystic wrote:That's all important information that should be in another thread, because its buried in the One discussions, but an incredibly important one.

I got an expensive big & tall chair, because I'm a MASSIVE dude,

But everything ya'll are saying is big facts, and rarely discussed, I mean Eylac - you're spot on about what people ask "What should I get next.
- Unreall


Yeah maybe it should be moved to studio setups... but then it will just be dominated by “should I get the MPC One or Live?” Lol. Just playing.

I’m not a massive dude, but tall for sure, so I know you know how difficult it is find chairs with tall specs!!!

Yeah, I tell people to invest in a chair once in a while, but not a often. Too many people just want to know what MPC to get next, or what mic.
By Unreallystic Mon Feb 03, 2020 7:01 pm
Yeah, I'm 6'6" 400+, and I have nasty habit of slouching depending on my mood, so a good chair was top of my list. I can get cheap chairs, but they don't last at ALL, I wanted something that would get me through at least several years, without giving up on me, and can take some of the kinetic energy I create when excited. The desk was so annoying, I ended up actually making a custom *table* desk last time, but it took up too much space in the room, and I don't feel it helped me out much, short of me being able to pile all my gear up and say "see what I've spent money on!".

Comfort is king, things that take away from the enjoyment, that you can FIX, should be high priority targets to fix.
- Unreall
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By Lampdog Mon Feb 03, 2020 9:43 pm
Unreallystic wrote:Comfort is king, things that take away from the enjoyment, that you can FIX, should be high priority targets to fix.

THIS, is real shit.
Bymember04959388 Mon Feb 03, 2020 10:01 pm
QuickStrike wrote:
mr_debauch wrote:the whole point of the live is to make beats on the lazy-boy


so the MPC one is for bedroom producers. And the MPC live is for couch potatoes?

Mpc Live is for park/seaside/sofa/seashells producers.
One is for losers.
By CharlesRandolph Mon Feb 03, 2020 10:21 pm
Unreallystic wrote:Yeah, I'm 6'6" 400+, and I have nasty habit of slouching depending on my mood, so a good chair was top of my list.
- Unreall



At 6'6 music gear and furniture is not designed with you in mind. In fact most things in this world, is not designed for you. You are what I called Always 1st Class, which means when you travel. You're mandatory first class, due to sheer leg room.

Based off your perspective, is the MPC ONE form factor too small? Do you prefer larger drum machine? When sitting down in a chair, sitting up straight, with your feet flat and legs parallel with floor. What is your the height from your ear to the floor? (For Audio and Visual Monitor setup)
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By Danoc Mon Feb 03, 2020 11:17 pm
The One if used a long period could cause neck and back problems if its not tilted upward.
Im 6'0 247 lbs. In my setup its supa perfect. My monitors and screeen are eye level , monitors turned ay an angle so l can sit in the sweet spot.
By CharlesRandolph Tue Feb 04, 2020 12:16 am
Danoc wrote:The One if used a long period could cause neck and back problems if its not tilted upward.
Im 6'0 247 lbs. In my setup its supa perfect. My monitors and screeen are eye level , monitors turned ay an angle so l can sit in the sweet spot.



What height and angle is your MPC LIVE sitting at?
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By Danoc Tue Feb 04, 2020 12:31 am
It's sitting on a table l didn't measure it and its tilted about 33 degrees. I don't hunch over it like when l first got it. I sit straight up and go.

I remember last year l bought a new mouse with the ball in the middle. Used it one week and it injured my right arm from the wrist to my elbow. 3 weeks in pain, first week l couldn't play piano at all. Smh :vomit: :Sigh: l went back to the traditional mouse and lm good.

Image

CharlesRandolph wrote:
What height and angle is your MPC LIVE sitting at?
By CharlesRandolph Tue Feb 04, 2020 12:49 am
Danoc wrote:It's sitting on a table l didn't measure it and its tilted about 33 degrees. I don't hunch over it like when l first got it. I sit straight up and go.

I remember last year l bought a new mouse with the ball in the middle. Used it one week and it injured my right arm from the wrist to my elbow. 3 weeks in pain, first week l couldn't play piano at all. Smh :vomit: :Sigh: l went back to the traditional mouse and lm good.


From this view that angle seems about right. When you're playing are your elbow horizontal with the floor? Side note: Traditional mouses are better, that way you can move your arm, instead of your wrist.