Different envelope & filter settings per layer issues.

In the MPC Live 2 OS 3.x, when layering samples on one pad (up to four layers per pad), it appears that filter and envelope settings are applied globally to all layers on that pad rather than independently per layer. This means changes to the filter, attack, release, or envelopes affect all layers simultaneously, even if "edit all layers" is turned off. This limitation makes it difficult to set specific different envelope or filter settings for each layer of a pad (such as different ADSR or filter settings for an 808 kick layer versus a 909 kick layer) within the same pad.
So is this possible or is there workaround? Not a nice to have in 2025, more like a must have tbh.

Try using the Simultaneous Play feature to layer pads.

That is the way. Put each sample on a different pad and then on the pad you want to trigger it can simultaneously trigger the others. Each pad can have their own amp and filter settings.

I put in a feature request for this years ago, but for the moment simultaneous play is the way forward (I cover examples of this in the MPC Bible). TBF not many modern samplers have this in my experience.

To make editing easier, set up a 2 way simultaneous play, that way no matter which pad you select for editing you'll always hear the complete layered sound.

Elijah wrote:Try using the Simultaneous Play feature to layer pads.

Thanks yes that would be a workaround i try to avoid this approach because it creates clutter in my pad layouts.

MPC-Tutor wrote:I put in a feature request for this years ago, but for the moment simultaneous play is the way forward (I cover examples of this in the MPC Bible). TBF not many modern samplers have this in my experience.

To make editing easier, set up a 2 way simultaneous play, that way no matter which pad you select for editing you'll always hear the complete layered sound.

Strange huh, the whole EMU range and AKAI s series were capable of this more than 30 years ago. Makes you wonder.....

damasio wrote:Strange huh, the whole EMU range and AKAI s series were capable of this more than 30 years ago. Makes you wonder.....

The heritage of this current MPC is based on the MPC1000/MPC5000, so the sampler we have now started out with fairly rudimentary roots (rather than being based on S or Z series samplers, which was created by the previous owners of Akai).

These MPCs of course can do many things that those old samplers couldn't do, so it's swings and roundabouts and many of the features they implement now are in reaction to popular feature requests. I suspect the majority of modern MPC users are simply not interested in that level of sound design (or are happy to use the workarounds).

There is hope though, it came as a complete shock to see Akai introduce the advanced keygroups and mod matrix, I assumed moving forward it would just be more plugins and sequencing features, so maybe one day we'll see a complete overhaul of the drum sampler.

MPC-Tutor wrote:I suspect the majority of modern MPC users are simply not interested in that level of sound design (or are happy to use the workarounds).

There is hope though, it came as a complete shock to see Akai introduce the advanced keygroups and mod matrix, I assumed moving forward it would just be more plugins and sequencing features, so maybe one day we'll see a complete overhaul of the drum sampler.

I that's the old majority before this new gen of MPCs. Now, that they've made all these plugings synths & FXs, Akai has attracted new type of users that are coming from using PCs & expect more advanced features & the new KGXL is them catering to that crowd.

Hopefully they grant your request about independent settings for each layer, which is something I & many others would like for decades. I think them adding the edit all layers option is the start of that.

i'd love a combi of MPC2 song & sequence structure with MPC3 program & mixing features

(or a dual OS where you'd choose best of both worlds)

wavejockey wrote:i'd love a combi of MPC2 song & sequence structure with MPC3 program & mixing features

(or a dual OS where you'd choose best of both worlds)

Wait. I thought 3.0 still had the same song and sequence structure but got rid of programs