New to MPC, Recommendations for Equipment

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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New to MPC, Recommendations for Equipment

By Mannyj24 Wed Jan 22, 2020 9:49 pm
Hello everyone. I recently ordered a MPC One and am very much looking forward to using it. This is my first attempt at using a device like this and, truth be told, my first expedition into music in 20+ years. I hope that some of you might be willing to give me some ideas on things like equipment that I should consider buying. Are there things that I NEED to have as I start off? Are there things that I should consider later as I use the MPC more and want to continue to grow? Really, for I'm looking to put together a starter kit for myself and I think that this forum is the best place to start since you all have hundreds of years of combined experience. Any insight will be useful and much appreciated. Thank you in advance.
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Re: New to MPC, Recommendations for Equipment

By Lampdog Wed Jan 22, 2020 11:01 pm
Welcome to MPC-Forums.

One should come with samples in it, just jump in and get going, as you move along you'll start to see what else you need. "MPC Live bible" as MPC-Tutor said in a previous thread is basically the same for One less Ableton and hardware differences if I remember correctly, lot's of members swear by it, that and the regular manual should have off and running.

20+yrs, what were you using before?
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Re: New to MPC, Recommendations for Equipment

By EnochLight Wed Jan 22, 2020 11:21 pm
Mannyj24 wrote:Hello everyone. I recently ordered a MPC One and am very much looking forward to using it. This is my first attempt at using a device like this and, truth be told, my first expedition into music in 20+ years. I hope that some of you might be willing to give me some ideas on things like equipment that I should consider buying. Are there things that I NEED to have as I start off? Are there things that I should consider later as I use the MPC more and want to continue to grow? Really, for I'm looking to put together a starter kit for myself and I think that this forum is the best place to start since you all have hundreds of years of combined experience. Any insight will be useful and much appreciated. Thank you in advance.


I strongly encourage you to watch Akai's entire "MPC Beats Academy" series on YouTube, and once you get your One - follow along and do the tutorial that spans episodes 1-11 (as well as 12-28, which encompasses production techniques and tips):

Watch it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaWmsRi ... D8YjHtqgBW

Re: New to MPC, Recommendations for Equipment

By Mannyj24 Thu Jan 23, 2020 4:36 am
Lampdog wrote:Welcome to MPC-Forums.

One should come with samples in it, just jump in and get going, as you move along you'll start to see what else you need. "MPC Live bible" as MPC-Tutor said in a previous thread is basically the same for One less Ableton and hardware differences if I remember correctly, lot's of members swear by it, that and the regular manual should have off and running.

20+yrs, what were you using before?


Thank you for the response! My previous experience with music was learning how to play acoustic guitar, which isn’t anything close to what I am hoping to undertake with the MPC now. I’m very much new to everything about MPC but motivated to learn and have fun.
I was also hoping to get some feedback on equipment. I do plan to purchase and download the bible on this website. How about headphones, SD card brands, monitors, keyboards, etc.? Are there any recommendations to help me get started? Thank you again for your time!

Re: New to MPC, Recommendations for Equipment

By Mannyj24 Thu Jan 23, 2020 4:39 am
EnochLight wrote:
Mannyj24 wrote:Hello everyone. I recently ordered a MPC One and am very much looking forward to using it. This is my first attempt at using a device like this and, truth be told, my first expedition into music in 20+ years. I hope that some of you might be willing to give me some ideas on things like equipment that I should consider buying. Are there things that I NEED to have as I start off? Are there things that I should consider later as I use the MPC more and want to continue to grow? Really, for I'm looking to put together a starter kit for myself and I think that this forum is the best place to start since you all have hundreds of years of combined experience. Any insight will be useful and much appreciated. Thank you in advance.


I strongly encourage you to watch Akai's entire "MPC Beats Academy" series on YouTube, and once you get your One - follow along and do the tutorial that spans episodes 1-11 (as well as 12-28, which encompasses production techniques and tips):

Watch it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaWmsRi ... D8YjHtqgBW



Thanks for responding to my post! I have already started watching these tutorials and I’m excited to begin playing with my MPC One whenever it arrives.
I’m also looking for some recommendations for equipment for a starter like me. Headphones, monitors, stands, SD card types, etc. Any information would be helpful. Thanks again for your time. I hope that I can contribute to the knowledge in these forums some day, as well.

Re: New to MPC, Recommendations for Equipment

By Cockdiesel Thu Jan 23, 2020 5:28 am
Maybe tutor will work on mpc one bible. Then you would have something you can print out and read from and tutorial files to walk you through. Videos are cool and all but you can really focus with just something to read and do with the machine.

Dude my 2cents. Just start with the headphones, get a decent reference pair, and just sit with you and the box for a while and you will see what will help you from there. With the one just learn how to string a sequence together and either render it down to usb to play in your car, or start with basic programs on the computer.

I use sandisk usb and sd cards never had a problem. It took me awhile to fill the first 64 gb usb stick.

I also had experience with Mpcs in the past but never took it too serious, wish I had more time to take it serious right now but since I got the live I have learned a lot. My best advice don’t jump into the deep end of gear lust and spend a bunch of money. It’s soul sucking.

Re: New to MPC, Recommendations for Equipment

By Hideous mutant Thu Jan 23, 2020 10:23 am
Cockdiesel wrote:
My best advice don’t jump into the deep end of gear lust and spend a bunch of money. It’s soul sucking.

This! Getting too much new stuff also makes the whole learning process too complicated. And the whole GAS-thing is mostly just "OOO! New & Shiny!" Buying more stuff won't make you any better musician, photographer etc.

Like already said by many, a good pair of headphones that are comfortable to wear will last years, that is probably the best thing to buy when starting, I'm still using Sennheiser HD 25-1 that I bought in 2003 for dj-stuff.

Re: New to MPC, Recommendations for Equipment

By CharlesRandolph Thu Jan 23, 2020 12:18 pm
1. List what gear you have experience with.
2. What is your budget?
3. How much dedicated space do you have?
4. What gear do you already own?

Once you can answer that, recommendations can be made.



Mannyj24 wrote:Hello everyone. I recently ordered a MPC One and am very much looking forward to using it. This is my first attempt at using a device like this and, truth be told, my first expedition into music in 20+ years. I hope that some of you might be willing to give me some ideas on things like equipment that I should consider buying. Are there things that I NEED to have as I start off? Are there things that I should consider later as I use the MPC more and want to continue to grow? Really, for I'm looking to put together a starter kit for myself and I think that this forum is the best place to start since you all have hundreds of years of combined experience. Any insight will be useful and much appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Re: New to MPC, Recommendations for Equipment

By Unreallystic Thu Jan 23, 2020 2:08 pm
Welcome! If you are just coming back to music and have a guitar background, here are my recommendations...

You'll want a pair of headphones and some monitors, I have the AT-50X headphones (the 40s are more accurate as the 50 colors in the lower end a little bit, but I want that). Headphones & monitors come down to budget really, set one, and pick the combination that works best within that budget, they are easy to upgrade later as well - hell my last monitors I got from a pawnshop.

Keyboard/controllers are a HUGE field to look at. Usually I'd recommend a keyboard, but if you have a guitar background, you ought to look at the new Launchpad Pro MK3 (mines on the way), as it can handle MIDI controls, and has a layout similar to a guitar *apparently, I am learning keyboard, but wanted something velocity sensitive and portable to use with my MPC Live*. There are PLENTY of articles on top controllers, I am a Native Instruments guy so use the S-Series, but there are plenty of controllers to look at. Set a price and go from there. I find that anything under $100 isn't going to have awesome feel or control/velocity sensitivity, and if you want full size keys, go higher in price for decent quality, I purchased the Nektar low-end keyboard and that was just a waste of money it felt so bad.

The MPC One comes with various samples, but I heard its trimmed down from what the Live/X have (not a bad thing, there is TONS of FAT on those). After you spend some time with it, figure out what sounds you feel would benefit you *you didn't mention what kind of music*, could be better drums, maybe instrumentation, but after you've been through everything for a little bit, then pursue additional sounds/sound sources. The iPad is GREAT sound source, from Youtube and radio access to various high quality synth apps.

You'll want a SD Card, get something Class 10 or better, just wait for a sale, they are frequent on say Amazon. You can use a USB stick, but you only have one port, so using a USB controller would go out the window if you do.

I'd recommend at least (1) Y Cable, (2) 3/8" Stereo to (1) 3.5mm stereo, along with an adapter to take the 3.5mm up to 3/8" incase you need it. You'll also want to have at least (1) MIDI cable.

As others have mentioned, start slow, don't gear it up.

And GET THE MPC BIBLE. MPC-Tutor did a bang up job with it, and typically has updates rolled out before you even think of looking it up. Its thick, but quick as pictures fill up a lot of the pages.
- Unreall

Re: New to MPC, Recommendations for Equipment

By morph860 Thu Jan 23, 2020 2:58 pm
Definitely grab the MPC Bible. Audio Technica makes good headphones. Pop into a local shop and listen to a few to see what fits and sounds good to you. A MIDI keyboard is a nice addition to the MPC and MPC software. I use the MPK Mini but it's only 25 keys. All depends on how much you want to spend and how much room you have. M-Audio makes some larger keyboards at OK prices.

Re: New to MPC, Recommendations for Equipment

By Mannyj24 Thu Jan 23, 2020 3:45 pm
Hideous mutant wrote:
Cockdiesel wrote:
My best advice don’t jump into the deep end of gear lust and spend a bunch of money. It’s soul sucking.

This! Getting too much new stuff also makes the whole learning process too complicated. And the whole GAS-thing is mostly just "OOO! New & Shiny!" Buying more stuff won't make you any better musician, photographer etc.

Like already said by many, a good pair of headphones that are comfortable to wear will last years, that is probably the best thing to buy when starting, I'm still using Sennheiser HD 25-1 that I bought in 2003 for dj-stuff.


Thanks for the reply. I was already feeling overwhelmed with all of the equipment that I've seen other people work with. I like the idea of starting with a good pair of headphones and seeing where my practice and experimentation with the MPC takes me.
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Re: New to MPC, Recommendations for Equipment

By Monotremata Thu Jan 23, 2020 4:03 pm
You can grab a pair of Beyer DT-990 Pros on Amazon for about $130 right now, they're normally $180-200. Not the best, but they're a GREAT pair of headphones to work with.
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Re: New to MPC, Recommendations for Equipment

By Lampdog Thu Jan 23, 2020 5:01 pm
Mannyj24 wrote:I like the idea of starting with a good pair of headphones and seeing where my practice and experimentation with the MPC takes me.

I suggest EXACTLY this!

Re: New to MPC, Recommendations for Equipment

By CharlesRandolph Thu Jan 23, 2020 6:20 pm
Mannyj24 wrote:
Thanks for the reply. I was already feeling overwhelmed with all of the equipment that I've seen other people work with. I like the idea of starting with a good pair of headphones and seeing where my practice and experimentation with the MPC takes me.


That sounds like a good idea and if you keep pushing. Get some good speakers/monitor, because it's a completely different experience opposed to wearing headphones. Build as slowly as possible, there no rush to have a room full, stuff that never gets used.

Re: New to MPC, Recommendations for Equipment

By Mannyj24 Thu Jan 23, 2020 6:58 pm
CharlesRandolph wrote:1. List what gear you have experience with.
2. What is your budget?
3. How much dedicated space do you have?
4. What gear do you already own?

Once you can answer that, recommendations can be made.



Mannyj24 wrote:Hello everyone. I recently ordered a MPC One and am very much looking forward to using it. This is my first attempt at using a device like this and, truth be told, my first expedition into music in 20+ years. I hope that some of you might be willing to give me some ideas on things like equipment that I should consider buying. Are there things that I NEED to have as I start off? Are there things that I should consider later as I use the MPC more and want to continue to grow? Really, for I'm looking to put together a starter kit for myself and I think that this forum is the best place to start since you all have hundreds of years of combined experience. Any insight will be useful and much appreciated. Thank you in advance.


Hi Charles, and thanks for responding. Here is the information that you said I should make available:
1) I do not have experience with any of the equipment that goes with an MPC, really.
2) Budget depends on the immediacy and necessity of the equipment. For example, I NEED headphones and an SD card pronto. However monitors can wait. For headphones, I'd say that $200 is where I'd feel comfortable and for an SD card, anything under $100 will suffice.
3) I have a spare room in my house that only has a small writing desk and a recliner (plus the elliptical workout machine that does a good job at holding dust for me), so I have the space, I think. It's not a studio, but a place for me to work.
4) I have only purchased an MPC one, so I don't have Ayn other equipment at this time.

Thanks again for your help.
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