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 MikeH Wed Apr 15, 2026 4:45 pm
Hey guys, I am looking around for a tabletop device for live delays and looping so can anyone advise on if the MPC ONE will do what I am needing please? I play music from my pc to my home stereo and would like to apply smooth 'sweepable' delay times over the music like the 'Delay time' knob on a hardware fx unit. And also switching between different loop lengths (1/4 beat, 1/2 beat, 1 beat, 2 beats, etc.) in real time, with the loop re-capturing and playing back instantly at each new length. I will need to do both in real time 'on the fly' without having to first record a sample then play back. Please advise, thanks, regards, Mike
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By Jean-Marc Liotier Wed Apr 15, 2026 7:45 pm
I use a RC-505 mk2 alongside the MPC One: tons of fun to play organic stuff alongside the MPC's synths... And if I like something I recorded, I can always copy the .wav from the looper to the MPC to use as a sample - but not live though, which is the only drawback... Though I am totally not handy enough for that sort of live juggling anyway !

... But, while copying the .wav can't happen live - I have the RC-505's master output go into a pair of inputs on the MPC's audio interface, to an audio track... So I can record to the MPC, live or not, with a tiny quality loss - and mix the looper with the MPC tracks, and apply MPC effects (though that it quite useless, as the looper has its own effects). My clumsiness means I do that absolutely not live (dead ?) but it works and saves plugging the RC-505's USB into a PC, mounting it, finding the .wav, copying it etc: arm the MPC to record to a sample, play an RC-505's loop - done.
By MikeH Wed Apr 15, 2026 8:06 pm
Thanks for the info, I had asked chatgpt for the units which will do as I need and the MPC ONE was one of those units it had shwed and this is the step by step it gave for this below, can you tell me is this sounds accurate or makes any sense?

To get the "VirtualDJ style" sweeps and rolls on the Akai MPC One, you’ll use two specific modes: XYFX for the smooth delay sweeps and Sample Looper (or Note Repeat) for the rhythmic rolls.

Here are the steps to set this up for live external audio:
1. Route Your Audio
Plug your audio source into the Input L/R on the back of the MPC.
Go to Menu > Sampler and set the Input to In 1, 2.
Tap Monitor (the speaker icon) to "On" so you can hear your live audio through the MPC.

2. The "Smooth Sweep" (XYFX Mode)
This is how you get the non-stepped, pitch-warpy delay washes from your video.
Go to Menu > XYFX.
Tap the Setup (gear icon) on the screen.
Select Manual Delay or Tape Echo from the preset list.
The Sweep: Slide your finger on the touchscreen.
X-Axis (Left/Right): Changes the delay time. Moving it smoothly will give you those "in-between" millisecond values for a pitch-warping effect.
Y-Axis (Up/Down): Controls the Feedback or Filter.
Pro Tip: Use the Q-Link Knobs on the right of the MPC to "lock" a certain amount of feedback while your finger is off the screen.
3. The "Instant Roll" (Note Repeat & Looper)
The MPC doesn't have a single "Roll" button, but you can achieve it two ways:
Option A: The Note Repeat (Stutter Style)
While your audio is playing, hit the Note Repeat button.
On the screen, select your quantization (e.g.,

The Roll: Hold down a pad. It will stutter the incoming signal at that speed. As you tap different time divisions on the screen, the "roll" will resize instantly.
Option B: The Live Looper (Capture & Resize)
Go to Menu > Looper.
Set the "Sync" to BPM.
Tap Rec to capture a 1 or 2-bar phrase.
Once it's playing, use the Length field on the screen to "shrink" the loop on the fly. Turning the data dial will snap it from 1 bar down to note, creating a rhythmic roll.
4. Frequency Isolation (The "Kill" Effect)
To apply the delay to only the highs or lows (like on the DDM4000), go to Menu > Channel Mixer.
Tap the Inserts tab for your Input channel.
Add a High Pass or Low Pass Filter before the XYFX in the chain. This allows you to "kill" the bass before it hits your delay sweep.

The Verdict: The MPC One is the most powerful "all-in-one" for this, but it requires more "prep" than a DJ mixer.
By JethroJethro Thu Apr 16, 2026 8:43 pm
Seems like that would work but be a hassle and your control points would be all taken up by the process. If you want in the MPC ecosystem to do DJ stuff a used Akai Force would be better, the A/B fader alone would help a lot. I have a force and a key 37 which is a great duo.
By JethroJethro Thu Apr 16, 2026 9:31 pm
MikeH wrote:Thx but's it's ok, I am being told a Roland SP404MKII unit will do it so I am looking into that. Someone can close this thread.


Check out “Flex Beat” on Akai devices before you pull the trigger, that plus “Fly Tape II” does a ton of 404 stuff and more and you’d have a whole MPC or Force underneath to discover as well. Used Force at Guitar Center around $550 and you can get an extended wattanty.