Is an Audio Interface Needed for using MPC Live 2???

Is there any reason you would need one?

With my limited understanding of audio, it seemed reasonable that the MPC Live 2 itself functioned as an audio interface. It has a ton jacks for recording anything I could want.

If the MPC Live 2 is connected to my Macbook via USB, isn't that perfectly fine for sending MIDI info and audio???

Does buying something else make sense and why? Obviously I want to spend my money on other toys.

There are plenty of reasons you would or would not need one.

What is it that you want to accomplish? Then perhaps we can help give you some suggestions.

kalibhakta wrote:
With my limited understanding of audio, it seemed reasonable that the MPC Live 2 itself functioned as an audio interface. It has a ton jacks for recording anything I could want.

Maybe it's obvious and of course i am being a smartass again, but perhaps you want to expand your limited knowledge of understanding audio before you start buying things.

kalibhakta wrote:Is there any reason you would need one?

With my limited understanding of audio, it seemed reasonable that the MPC Live 2 itself functioned as an audio interface. It has a ton jacks for recording anything I could want.

If the MPC Live 2 is connected to my Macbook via USB, isn't that perfectly fine for sending MIDI info and audio???

Does buying something else make sense and why? Obviously I want to spend my money on other toys.

The crucial question is: Does Akai provide proper drivers for the interface (or is it compatible via a universal standard). The answer to both questions, is, to my knowledge, no. It does however function as an interface when the MPC software is running, so using it as a VST/AU plugin should also make the ports available in your DAW of choice.
I for one cannot understand why this useful functionality wasn't properly implemented at some point. I'd rather have a capable sampler with robust file management that doubles as an audio interface over USB 3.0 than a host of average at best virtual instruments.

If you plan on tracking vocals....In a DAW or standalone in the Live...you'll need an AI

It works as a MIDI and audio interface for ANY software in "controller mode."

The MIDI interface is class compliant.

The audio interface requires Akai's ASIO driver on Windows, which they do provide.

Just ignore the screen saying it is waiting to connect to the computer. It should really say "waiting to connect to the MPC software." It works as a generic MIDI/audio interface in the meantime.

For example, I use the pads and audio interface to practice finger drumming in Melodics.

Hope that helps.

Tricky Gnosis wrote:It works as a MIDI and audio interface for ANY software in "controller mode."

The MIDI interface is class compliant.

The audio interface requires Akai's ASIO driver on Windows, which they do provide.

Just ignore the screen saying it is waiting to connect to the computer. It should really say "waiting to connect to the MPC software." It works as a generic MIDI/audio interface in the meantime.

For example, I use the pads and audio interface to practice finger drumming in Melodics.

Hope that helps.

That is good to know. I haven’t tried it in quite a while but I could swear that it used to be impossible to use it without the software running.
I hereby retract my previous post.

Maybe it's obvious and of course i am being a smartass again, but perhaps you want to expand your limited knowledge of understanding audio before you start buying things.

Oh yeah, you're definitely right about the smartass part because I'm here asking people who have knowledge so I can learn about something. LOL

Yeah sure.. it's a bit like going to the grocery store and screaming: "I WANT FRUIT!!!!''

But you don't know which fruit you want.

if the objective becomes clear, so will the question.

So, to open this question again, but with a purpose in mind...

With the new update, I am looking to 'try' to use vocal suite in some of my tracks. I currently do not have XLR microphone, however I have seen people using the Focusrite 2i2 with an XLR Mic, is this necessary or could I record vocals without an audio interface?

Is there a way to use a 3.5mm headset w/ mic to record vocals - If so, how?

Just to end, I am an idiot, explain anything to me like I am an idiot, please.

Vr6FartNoise wrote:So, to open this question again, but with a purpose in mind...

With the new update, I am looking to 'try' to use vocal suite in some of my tracks. I currently do not have XLR microphone, however I have seen people using the Focusrite 2i2 with an XLR Mic, is this necessary or could I record vocals without an audio interface?

Is there a way to use a 3.5mm headset w/ mic to record vocals - If so, how?

Just to end, I am an idiot, explain anything to me like I am an idiot, please.

The MPC Live 2 does not have mic preamps built in, so you'll need to run your XLR mic through an appropriate pre-amp first, perhaps also needing phantom power if you have a condensor mic. But with 2.10 you can connect an audio interface via USB and use the mic inputs on the interface.

And yes, you could use a 3.5mm headset, I assume this will output at line level, so should just plug directly into one of the Live's audio inputs, but you'll need some kind of '3.5-to-6.3mm ' adapter.

But keep in mind that some headsets use "condenser" mic capsule that require some voltage . Those will not work if you plug them directly on your mpc line input .
If you have an iphone you could use it as a preamp

MPC-Tutor wrote:

Vr6FartNoise wrote:So, to open this question again, but with a purpose in mind...

With the new update, I am looking to 'try' to use vocal suite in some of my tracks. I currently do not have XLR microphone, however I have seen people using the Focusrite 2i2 with an XLR Mic, is this necessary or could I record vocals without an audio interface?

Is there a way to use a 3.5mm headset w/ mic to record vocals - If so, how?

Just to end, I am an idiot, explain anything to me like I am an idiot, please.

The MPC Live 2 does not have mic preamps built in, so you'll need to run your XLR mic through an appropriate pre-amp first, perhaps also needing phantom power if you have a condensor mic. But with 2.10 you can connect an audio interface via USB and use the mic inputs on the interface.

And yes, you could use a 3.5mm headset, I assume this will output at line level, so should just plug directly into one of the Live's audio inputs, but you'll need some kind of '3.5-to-6.3mm ' adapter.

If I purchase the 2i2, what cables do I need and where do I connect them?