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.
By acidicloop Mon Nov 03, 2025 2:05 pm
Has anyone been able to get a decent sounding singing vocal in mpc live 3? I have an sm58 plugged in to input 1, and i made sure the input gain was hitting at around -7. My vocal effects chain is noise gate, then compressor then para eq. I got the noise gate dialed in ok as well as the compression getting around -3 at the loudest. In para eq i tried all the vocal presets, but everything i do sounds hollow and distant, even after messing with the mids. I cannot seem to get a good sound out of it that doesnt sound distant. Does anyone have any setups you recommend for an sm58 in mpc live 3?
By DellAtreides Mon Nov 03, 2025 5:54 pm
SM58 gonna need a nice preamp to sound decent for regular vocals, theyre passable when used up close and being shouted in to. You probably (not always) want something more sensitive for vocals, look into large diaphragm condensers - they'll require phantom power so you're still going to need a desk (or something else) between the mic and the MPC.