MPC Live 2 (Retro) Audio output issue?

My MPC Live 2 (Retro version) has an issue with the main out volume (1 & 2) where it's fluctuating up and down during a sequence. There is NO automation of volume in the sequence. I have swapped cables. Basic troubleshooting.

What I have found is that pressing on the casing of the sampler anywhere near the master volume POT changes the volume levels coming out of output 1 & 2!

I suspect it's a bad solder or possibly a bad POT. Needless to say, not impressed with this. The sampler has been treated very well, never left the studio. always in the same spot. Nothing spilled on it, not dropped etc.

Anyone have any similar experience? I submitted at ticket to InMusic, but I doubt they'll offer any support on a device that I purchased in 2021. Sign of the times with build quality? I have an ASR-10 from 91 that has travelled the globe and it's still rock sold.

Hoping for any advice, feedback. Thanks.

Update : I found another person who posted exactly the same issue on Reddit. This seems like a cheap build flaw, which raises some serious questions about the build quality of the new MPCs compared to the older classics. The more I look around online, the more this topic comes up. What do you guys think? Am I just unlucky, or are the new line of MPCs lower build quality?

KelvinK273 wrote:Update : I found another person who posted exactly the same issue on Reddit. This seems like a cheap build flaw, which raises some serious questions about the build quality of the new MPCs compared to the older classics. The more I look around online, the more this topic comes up. What do you guys think? Am I just unlucky, or are the new line of MPCs lower build quality?

No other MPC before has been made for so many years so there's bound to be more cases of bad units. Most of these new MPCs suffer more from bad software issues.

B-Wise wrote:

KelvinK273 wrote:Update : I found another person who posted exactly the same issue on Reddit. This seems like a cheap build flaw, which raises some serious questions about the build quality of the new MPCs compared to the older classics. The more I look around online, the more this topic comes up. What do you guys think? Am I just unlucky, or are the new line of MPCs lower build quality?

No other MPC before has been made for so many years so there's bound to be more cases of bad units. Most of these new MPCs suffer more from bad software issues.

Thanks for the feedback! I was hopeful that they would have ironed out those issues with the MPC One and Live before the Live 2. The fact that this thing is basically in mint condition and treated well, and when I touch on the casing near the volume pot and it changes output volume feels to me like a flaw that should have been noticed and worked out by the 2nd Live edition. I have not heard back from InMusic regarding the ticket yet, but I'm hopeful that they'll be cool about it and offer to get this serviced even though it's technically out of warranty. I'm sure they know this is a flaw.

Shit happens & good luck.

Also keep in mind that MPCs were never as affordable as they are now. I doubt people would be willing to pay prices of OG models adjusted by inflation, probably even higher prices to account for new features.

True. Still, I paid $1500 and now probably another $500 for a device that is barely 3 years old. 2K is about what I paid for my ASR in ‘91. Never an issue with it. There seem to be a lot of videos about issues with them - especially the Retro. I hope it holds up after getting fixed.

Although - $ 2000 in ’91 is equivalent to a little over $ 4600 today, so … if one would afford a MPC for that amount of money, then yes, perhaps we wouldn’t see this problem. Who knows?

Fair point. I’m just disappointed. $1500 feels like a lot of money for something that has issues after a couple years of moderate use, no matter what year it is. It effects output volume, so the issue essentially makes the device useless if you’re tracking out. Still hoping to hear from InMusic about a potential fix.